If there is one thing the majority of seniors could do to live longer and healthier lives, it is this: Stop Believing You’re OLD.
A slew of studies show how acceptance of ageist stereotypes from the culture and our individual belief systems can shorten and sour our later years.
Want more ammunition to fight the corrosive effects of ageism? Betsy Abramson, Executive director of the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, sees ageism as a full-fledged health crisis, and has the research to back it up. In her talk presented at the 2018 Summit for Healthy Aging, she offered participants ways to fight back against stereotypical comments and behaviors.
Thanks to: The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging.
Hi Mary Helen,
So true about the greeting cards. And frustrating! I got my first tattoo at 49 and my brother (aged 47) chastised me for being too old. He says this is something I should have gotten out of my system when I was in my 20s. Crazy, huh?
Ageism and greeting cards! So pleased I’ve always encouraged my family to save trees! Thanks for the light hearted (but thought provoking) to a very ignored “ism”
Nice thanks Carol
I believe I’m going to be born again after a medical test I’m having soon no matter what the results are
I’m only 64 I am a rebel
You can hear me sing on my web site
I have had people refer to me as the “Old Guy”. I tell them…keep referring to me as the “Old Guy” and you may not live to be my age. I see myself as an older guy. I think of myself as 29 years old – it has been very helpful to me… very physically active exercise and a “Cyclist”…. I find many people that are my chronological age…that allow themselves to accept the negative stereotypes of age…very annoying. Because I am active I find it much easier to be with people 21 to 50 years of age. On cross country bicycle rides…I have had teenagers more friendly and engaging than people near my age. My age number does not keep me from doing anything or learn anything. I was highly insulted when some 30ish / 40ish people grabbed a computer keyboard or iPad away from me saying that I did not understand how to use a computer. I told them…”Me and my colleagues built all the computer systems that you “Children” are currently using – be grateful for our work to built you these computer systems.” I have been a “Digital Native” for 45 years – welcome to my world “Digital Infant”. How would we respond to each other if our chronological age was 1000 years old…and our physical body age was 25 years old? There are some cultural areas in the USA were people 30 years old say that they are too old to be too physically active. I have had people get angry at me when I tell them that I plan to live to 150 years old… They ask me if I am crazy? Tell me I cannot do that…no person has ever done that. I am excited about the future…I do not want to miss anything….I will be the first to live that long and I am writing my paragraph for the Guiness Book Of World Records
Thanks for sharing,
I really enjoyed both pod casts… I have been presenting to various audiences (with two of my colleagues) on the topic “How to Add Quality Years to Life”. The presentation encompasses the latest research on how to add quality years to your life…. Now I have one more thing to add 7.5 years to your life… Thanks!
Tina from WI