Americans Stay Alert to Ageism
A South Florida senior citizen, 81 years young and healthy, was not allowed to adopt two Chihuahua puppies because of his "advanced age."
This story on the Internet is just one example of ageism–discrimination against people on the grounds of age. It is a basic denial of older people's human rights.
Robert N. Butler, M.D., a gerontologist, psychiatrist, and winner of a Pulitzer Prize, coined the term in 1968. He also founded the National Institute on Aging and led the International Longevity Center USA (ILC). A 2006 ILC report, "Ageism in America,” describes experiences of older Americans: "widespread mistreatment, ranging from stereotyping and degrading media images to physical and financial abuse, unequal treatment in the workforce, and denial of appropriate medical care and services."
With our aging population, ageism will impact a significant segment of society. By 2030, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Americans 65 years of age and older will make up 20% of the population. Ageism can detrimentally affect older people's health, employment, and psychological wellbeing.
Health
Ageism affects longevity. Yale School of Public Health professor Becca Levy and her colleagues found that older people with positive attitudes on aging lived 7.5 years longer than those with negative feelings. Data show that Americans are living longer. When Social Security was established in 1935, life expectancy was under 62 years while today it is 78 years.
Another critical issue affecting seniors' health is the dearth of geriatricians, physicians who specialize in treating the elderly. Today, there is about one pediatrician for every 1,300 children under 18 years of age in America. The statistic, according to the American Geriatrics Society, is one geriatrician for every 2,600 people age 75 years and older. Physicians trained in geriatrics will know the difference between symptoms of aging and those that can be treated.
"Elderspeak" can also negatively impact medical treatment. A University of Miami psychiatrist, Marc E. Agronin, M.D., used this example: Questions about medications being answered with, "Don't worry, dear. This is what the doctor ordered."
Employment
Because of the economic crisis, people are working longer. They are postponing retirement and competing against younger workers for lower-level positions. Laid-off older workers are out of work longer, studies found. David Certner, the chief legislative counsel for AARP, in a nytimes.com article, praised a recent Supreme Court decision in Meacham v. Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory that protects employees from age discrimination during layoffs. It supports the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 that protects anyone 40 years of age or older. The law is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The Associated Press reported that only one-fourth of the EEOC age cases are settled on behalf of the complainant. In the 1970s, political activists worked to make mandatory retirement obsolete. Yet, it's not uncommon for police officers and firefighters to retire in their late 50s.
Psychology
Toni Calasanti, Ph.D., professor of sociology at Virginia Tech, wrote the lead story in a recent issue of the university's research magazine. "People want to keep passing for younger since being old affects social status," she said in an interview. "Ageism oppresses the people we will become." A Pew Research Center survey found that one-third of those between the ages of 65 and 74 years said they felt 10 to 19 years younger, and one-sixth of people 75 years and older said they felt 20 years younger.
Ageism may result in feelings of low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, guilt and helplessness. Dr. Butler wrote, "When the future is removed, as in the case of old age, it builds dissatisfaction, disappointment and depression." But as Dr. Butler, noted, older adults should live lives based on hope and positive expectations.
Here are some tips for staying active:
Keep moving – Participate in exercise, yoga, and dance classes
Stay involved – Volunteer at schools and hospitals and for the arts. Tackle causes to help society.
Connect with friends and family – Host a reunion. Find a long-lost soul mate.
Learn new things – Use computers and digital cameras. Be "crafty."
Work longer – Look into shared jobs, flextime and phased retirement.
Communicate more – Write or blog about life experiences and inspirations.
Dream – Never stop setting goals and looking ahead.
MSNBC broadcasted a story of a gentleman who always dreamed of crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a raft. At age 85 years, he and three friends landed in St. Maarten after the 2,800-mile journey. "What else do you do when you get on in years?" he asked a reporter.
Keep living and dreaming.
The attorneys at The Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm assist families with their estate, financial, insurance, long-term care, veterans' benefits, and special needs planning issues.
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Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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I would have a serious talk/mail with the board of directors..or lack of direction...older people are great companions for pets and vice versa !
I agree with Sally/David...no reason to not let the 81 year old get these pets.
Roy, the way I look at it, the first 60 plus years were for practice! Looking forward to having a blast in the second half! Enjoy your day!
Good Morning Roy, that is so wrong, I love your tips and blog today. I really think some people are just unaware of how the act or react due to a severe case of "not thinking" before they speak or act. Have a great Friday
Its even creeping into churches. At our church they have a group called the "Vintage Flock" for MEMBERS OVER 50..... It irritates the crap out of me every time I hear that term. I find it very annoying that they think folks over 50 are vintage. They couldn't pay me to go to that group.
This is just a continuation of the constant divisiveness in our society. Ageism, sexism, racism, homophobia. Anyone who is not "me" is somehow not right. If this crap doesn't stop, we are going to destroy ourselves.
Thank you very much for your feedback. Please spread hope and positive expectations among the seniors in your circles of relationships. I hope you will blog about the tips for seniors to stay active.
Rose of Sharon, Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2808
Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
Good morning, Roy. Thanks for raising awareness about ageism. Dogs can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and senior citizens shouldn't be denied that pleasure. Wishing you a great day!
What....???? No dog due to age! Talk about discrimination...!
Good morning Roy.
Having a pet is a big responsibility...
That said, he should have that pet.
Roy,
That is the craziest story I have ever heard...Thanks for writing this excellent article, it is time we all grow up and accept people for who they really are, and not because of some crazy standard, rule or idea someone has...Have a wonderful weekend! A
Roy, This is just so wrong. Pets are great to have for any age group. I am hope of having a dog as a friend till the very end. Man's best FRIEND!
Your comments are always appreciated.
Have a great day and an outstanding weekend.
Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2804
Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
There is plenty of research to show that owning a dog/pet actually decreases stress levels and helps to maintain a healthy body. I can't believe they would deny those dogs a loving home because of the age of the adopting person. My great aunt lived to be 105...WELL beyond the life span of those dogs.
ps: thank you for the re-blog the other day :)
I would like to know that thos pets have a"Godpaents" though to be safe.
Love and light... without age,
Laura
"......older adults should live lives based on hope and positive expectations."
Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2813
Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
Roy, 80 is not what it used to be. Great tips to stay "young". Last summer in Toronto, a 100 year old man finished the marathon. He only started running when he was 89!
Roy- I love your post and don't understand why it hasn't been featured. When my Father-in-law was ill, his energy level and health were going downhill fast. I always had the feeling that his doctor took the attitude of "you're old... you're supposed to feel like you do." When he went to Houston and met with a doctor who specialized in geriatric oncology he never wanted to leave.
I feel as if I'm in my 40's, and have friends in their mid-to-late 70's who walk and play golf every day and are still going strong. Excellent post.
Thanks for the Ah-ha moment!
Featured you in my Weekly Post!
Roy,
This is a powerful blog and one that can't be ignored. Age discrimination is very real and it's happening right here in America. Several months ago I read my Church Bulletin and they were offering a Women's Retreat. The last time I went on a retreat was sometime in the 1990's. I thought it was a good idea and convinced myself, it was something I needed to do. I was astonished to learn that I was too old for this retreat. I couldn't believe my ears. I thought I made a mistake and grabbed the bulletin again, thinking maybe this was a youth group retreat. It . It was advertised as a Women's Retreat and nowhere in that article did it say anything about age.
The 81 year old Sr. in FL's story is even worse. I have heard numerous reports about how beneficial pets are to people. They reduce a person's heart rate and can lower blood pressure. Animals have been known to detect a physical problem, i.e., a disease long before the patient is aware. A pet can alert people to danger! Pet stores are down in sales and they are offering pet sitting for at least an hour to care for their unwanted pets who nobody wants to buy!
What is wrong with our country? Ageism is REAL! I'm sure there's a whole lot more stories out there that we don't even know about.
EXCELLENT POST ROY!
AMERICANS THIS IS A WAKE-UP CALL!
Good morning Roy,
How did I miss this post! I'm over from Kathy highlighting this in her weekly Sunday post. Loved the tips for staying active! at 81 being denied the opportunity to adopt pets is riduclous!
Thank you very much for your comments.
Have an outstanding week with your camera in hand.
Lantana, Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2825
Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
Roy, this is an important post and I came over from Kathy's post as I had missed it. The older generation should be honored much more than they are, so many are left alone and not encouraged to get out and enjoy life as they once had. They have so much to teach us just about life in general. 80 is not old!!! Not in my mind, I have met so many people that at 80 are like they are in their 60's. I should be so blessed. I am so glad you posted this. Thanks.
Wow, really Roy? People are so much more active now than before but we can't believe this story! The dog would probably have great owners and keep the Owners younger as well. Love the stay young tips. We can't keep up with my Mom, she follows a lot of them!
Roy Those are all excellent tips - I do my best to adhere tp them "with camera in hand", too :)
Sad tell. Could have been good for both dogs and their keeper. 81 is not that old anymore.
I read a blog post this week (not here on AR) that stressed social media being for the younger generations. How wrong and the writer got BLASTED for it.
Are you kidding me?? With all of the dogs out there waiting to be adopted they turn away someone willing to take 2 of them. Research has shown that the elderly thrive when they have a pet and the reverse is also true. I hope that shelter re-evaluates their criteria. Isn't 81 the new 60 anyway???
It is important for all of us to be aware of ageism as our population grows older.
"Ageism may result in feelings of low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, guilt and helplessness. Dr. Butler wrote, "When the future is removed, as in the case of old age, it builds dissatisfaction, disappointment and depression." But as Dr. Butler, noted, older adults should live lives based on hope and positive expectations."
Daylily, Kentlands, Spring Flowers IMG_1418
Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
Roy,
I have always even when I was in my twenties thought it was stupid that people always hired the younsters! Are you kidding me I rather have maturity anytime same thing with the pets! He may outlive the dogs! Just because you are young does not mean you will not live longer than someone older than you!
Roy, it is important to live with hope for the future. I agree there is ageism in our culture and fear it will get worse. So important for individuals to live with independence. I've never heard of not being able to adopt pets because of age. That's really going too far, IMO. Great post and points, thank you,
As someone who has started career number 2, by choice i I understand the value of continuing to be engaged and working. If you don't use it, you lose it. A mind is a horrible thing to waste.
Roy,
Thanks for shraing this incident and the awareness we need to have. :)
Steve
Thank you very much for your comments. All of us need to become more aware of the needs of seniors as that population grows in every community.
Daylilies, Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2844
Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
Hi Roy,
Animals are so wonderful to keep seniors happy and healthy. This is appalling they they would discriminate against a 81 year old. That employee should be fired. How sad...I have a chihuahua he can have.