How Ageism Affects Seniors Health and Wellbeing
It’s ironic that even though the world’s older population is fast outnumbering younger generations, ageism is also on the rise.
Increasingly, people over age 50 complain about experiencing ageism. You can find many personal stories on social media and in news reports.
According to the WHO, ageism has grave and extensive consequences on the health and wellness of older people. Earlier this year, a study published in the journal Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine confirmed those findings.
The authors of the study wanted to take the effects of ageism from the realm of anecdotes and conceptual or theoretical papers. So, they did a comprehensive analysis of various sources, including academic databases.
They also looked at grey literature, which can include newsletters, policy literature, speeches and government documents. Finally, the researchers selected 13 articles for their study, and all of them revealed “a negative link between ageism and the psychological well-being of older adults.
To date, more than 10 negative consequences have been linked to ageist behavior. Let’s take a look at some of them, and what are some of the factors that might protect older people from them.
What is Ageism?
Ageism occurs when someone is discriminated against because of their age. This prejudice can lead to various types of harm — including mental, physical and financial — disadvantages and injustice. It is often influenced and perpetuated by stereotypical beliefs and can become entrenched in policies, practices and institutions.
For instance, people with ageist beliefs often pre-judge someone’s physical and mental abilities, political beliefs, social skills, workplace competency, and relationship and social needs.
Ageism affects both young and old people. However, older people are more likely to be the victims of its most serious consequences.
Consequences of Ageism
- Job insecurity
- Stress
- Poorer mental health, including depression and anxiety
- Poorer physical health
- Social isolation
- Loneliness
- Financial insecurity
- Lower quality of life
- Negative changes in the brain
- Lower life expectancy
Interestingly, the authors of the Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine study point out that ageism can also be internal, or self-directed. For instance, as you get older, you might internalize beliefs about your physical, emotional and mental needs and abilities.
Some of the consequences of internalized ageism include allowing yourself to become physically weak, unhealthy and less prone to engaging in new learning opportunities, the researchers say.
Older people with internalized ageism might also find that they become more dependent, experience more negative emotions, and are less resilient against external ageism.
Perhaps not surprisingly, your health status as you get older can make you more susceptible to self-directed ageism. As does anxiety about getting older or a fear of death, according to another study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health and Public Research.
Some other effects of ageism not often considered include its impact on self-care. According to the WHO, having a negative view of aging can be a precursor to worse health behavior. For example, it can lead to not taking prescribed medications.
How to Protect Yourself Against Ageism
Entering your later years with high self-esteem and self-confidence could help you to avoid the more serious repercussions of ageism, according to the researchers in the Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine study.
They also found that being proud of your age group and generally optimistic about aging and your future can lessen the effects of ageism.
Maintaining your health as you age, participation in intergenerational programs, and spending more time with family can also help to ward off internal ageism and minimize the effects of the external kind.
Also, there is overwhelming evidence that having a strong circle of friends in old age can significantly boost happiness, satisfaction and overall well-being. There is also some evidence that religion can reduce ageist behaviour throughout a society as well as its effects.
Finally, if you are up for some later-in-life activism, participating in programs, studies and campaigns to combat ageism could help to protect you, your peers, and future older generations from the stigma and consequences of age discrimination.
SOURCES:
WHO: Ageism is a global challenge: UN
