Lifestyle
By Lifestyle Team | 03 Mar. 2023

The impact of ageism on older adults and society as a whole.

ageism

Aging is an inevitable aspect of life. Unfortunately, there have been increasing reports in recent times associating negative physical and mental health outcomes with ageism. Negative attitudes towards older persons seem prevalent in the contemporary world. When pessimism around the issue of aging grows, many implications result, including older adults facing discrimination. Ageist attitudes, for instance, make older persons to be considered as a burden and mere recipients of welfare. If older people perceive themselves to be less valuable to society, they could end up depressed and anxious. The impact of ageism is a topic that should never be overlooked, as ageist attitudes do not only affect older persons, but they profoundly affect society as a whole. With this in mind, we will take a closer look at the impact of ageism on older adults and society in general.

What is Ageism?

Ageism is considered prejudice, stereotypes, and discriminatory attitudes and actions based on chronological age. Ageism thus occurs when an individual is discriminated against based on age. Ageism mainly manifests in the form of generalizations and stereotypes about older people, leading to exclusion and prejudice. Ageist attitudes could, for instance, make older persons seem to be out of touch while younger generations are perceived as lazy. Ageism takes many forms, ranging from subtle jokes or comments to outright discrimination and prejudice. While ageism can affect people of all ages, it most typically targets seniors or older persons who are often perceived as vulnerable and less valuable in society.

Impact of Ageism on Older Adults

Any form of discrimination based on a person’s age can have serious implications for the affected individual. The impacts of ageism range from negative physical health to deteriorating mental and emotional well-being. It is important to go into detail about the implications of ageism on older adults.

One common impact of ageism is feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem in older persons. Ageism directly impacts the psychological well-being of an individual, making them stigmatized. When an older person is discriminated against based on their age, the hostility against such a person is likely to make them feel unwelcome in social settings. The stigma surrounding the issue of age could also make older persons have low self-esteem, as they may feel that they are no longer worthy of respect and care. Ageist attitudes make older adults feel disposable and of less value to society. Consequently, older persons will feel excluded and may end up depressed due to isolation and age-abased discrimination in mainstream society.

Ageism results in the social isolation of older adults in society. Not only do ageist attitudes make older people feel excluded from society, but age-based prejudice and discrimination socially isolate older populations from their community. Ageist attitudes make discriminatory attitudes towards older people prevalent, thus excluding them from meaningful contact with others. Social isolation can particularly damage older adults due to physical limitations and difficulty navigating technology. Lack of social connection and family and friends’ support makes seniors increasingly lonely and isolated. Such individuals are more prone to physical and mental health issues.

Ageism contributes to poor financial outcomes in older adults. We have already seen how seniors are isolated from society due to ageism. Isolation denies people access to employment opportunities and sufficient wages. Older adults have lower access to jobs, promotions, and decent incomes. Subsequently, they are more exposed to poverty and face increasing difficulty in supporting themselves financially. Most older adults rely on assistance from family or social programs as they do not have sufficient income to finance their needs.

Ageism can also lead to physical health issues. In some cases, older adults feel abandoned and socially isolated, thus losing their will to continue living. In such cases, older adults may fail to care for themselves and ignore adequate nutrition and exercise. Health deterioration is likely to result in this scenario due to poor nutrition and lack of physical exercise.

Impact of Ageism on Society as a Whole

Ageism not only affects individuals but has a significant impact on society in general. For example, when age-based prejudices and stereotypes become societal norms, society loses since the ability and contribution of the elderly are undermined. Older adults contribute as much as a younger population in society, but their crucial contribution goes to waste when they are isolated and discriminated against. Pervasive ageist culture thus negatively impacts society by making undermining the contribution of the elderly.

Ageism creates a disadvantaged population of the elderly in society. A pervasive ageist culture discriminates against the elderly, thus denying them equal rights with other younger populations. As a result, the elderly have lesser opportunities to access social services and resources in their communities. Some research findings have documented inadequate healthcare services being afforded to the elderly, which is a clear example of a discriminatory system against older populations in society. An ageist culture creates many practical barriers for older adults to live a quality life in society.

Strategies to Combat Negative Impacts of Ageism

As we have already seen the damaging impacts of ageism in society, it is important to discuss some of the steps that should be taken to address the issue and empower older adults such that they live quality lives, regardless of their age. It is possible to combat ageism in the general society setting with several key financial strategies.

First, it is vital for public and private employment entities to provide retirement plans for retired workers. Older adults, on the other hand, should take advantage of retirement benefits plans. In most countries, there are Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) where older adults save money for their future. Such retirement plans offer a more secure financial future, facilitating a better life for the elderly. Financial security prevents anxiety and depression that arises from financial difficulty.

Older adults should also take advantage of social security benefits programs in their community. Most countries have social security programs that provide additional income for senior populations. Depending on an individual’s circumstances, many types of social security benefits exist. Older adults should consider such social security benefits to stay financially secure in their old age.

Older adults should also consider working with financial planners to help them develop a comprehensive plan to manage their finances. Finance planners could also offer advice on maximizing retirement savings and other financial assets. Better financial planning could cushion older people whenever ageism takes a toll on their finances.

The government or the authorities should also make policies to ensure equitable distribution of resources, employment opportunities, and income regardless of age. Older adults should also take the initiative to engage in educational programs and seminars so as to accumulate skills to keep them relevant in the job market. If older adults have equal opportunities like the rest of the population, then they are less likely to experience the negative physical and psychological impacts of ageism.

Conclusion

Ageism is an issue that demands attention as it affects older adults and society as a whole. Ageist stereotypes and prejudices have a damaging impact on individuals and communities. Ageism contributes to economic, social, and health consequences. These impacts occur both at a micro and macro level. Therefore, there is a need to combat the issue of ageism in society. We have identified several financial strategies to combat the negative impacts of ageism, including retirement plans, taking advantage of social security benefits, financial planning, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all people. Financial strategies could be very powerful tools to combat the impacts of ageism and help older adults live secure life during their retirement years.