Many people don’t want to talk about it. Others try to ignore it, and even fewer take the time to investigate all the issues and opportunities that come with it. Let’s face it, if we live long enough, sooner or later, every one of us will become old.
How we define ourselves as we grow older, and how others define us, can make all the difference in how we are treated at home, in our community, and around the globe.
That’s why this October, the United Nations Division for Inclusive Social Development, the American Society on Aging, the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism, Changing the Narrative, Wisdom of Age, and many other like-minded organizations and individuals are inviting you to join in helping to raise awareness about age discrimination and put an end to ageism wherever it is found.
The 2024 campaign kicks off with the United Nations International Day of Older Persons on October 1. It continues with the UN’s 34th International Day of Celebration event in New York City on October 7. The American Society on Aging is also drawing attention to ageism by inviting individuals and organizations nationwide to participate in Ageism Awareness Day on Wednesday, October 9.
In giving thought to ways you can help raise awareness, consider the following:
In the United States, a staggering 5.5 million senior citizens currently grapple with hunger and millions more suffer in isolation. For many older adults, buying groceries or affording essential medical care too often become critical but essential choices.
Age discrimination literally infiltrates every aspect of our lives. Be it health, housing, employment, social engagement, and transportation, ageism continues to impact how individuals lead their lives, live their values, and maintain their self-worth.
If we can dismantle generational barriers based on disinformation and mistrust, we may discover a shared wealth of common ground and opportunities for mutual enrichment.
Imagine a world devoid of ageism:
• Older and younger individuals are equally cherished.
• Employment is rooted in abilities rather than stereotypes.
• Derogatory terms for older people are as taboo as those for gender or race.
• People can thrive at any age.
Ageism Awareness Day serves as a call to action, urging each of us to strive for a world free from the grip of age discrimination. Let’s begin by embracing these guiding principles:
• Acknowledge the right of every individual to be treated with dignity and respect, irrespective of their age, ability, social status, or income.
• Recognize the vast human potential accessible at every life stage.
• Empower those whose insights, experiences, and wisdom often go unnoticed or unheard.
• Promote inter-generational dialogue, planning, and collaborative action on issues impacting the quality of life for individuals of all ages.
• Safeguard the well-being of older persons, enabling them to lead lives without a forced choice between food and medication, nor the anguish of isolation and loneliness.
Eliminating ageism begins with the power of one and the wisdom that spans generations.
Jeff Rubin is a recognized speaker, author, and adviser on community and aging issues with over 20 years of experience leading community service programs at various levels. Based in Berea, he advocates for “Age-friendly” and “Livable” communities and is the author of Wisdom of Age: Perceptions and Insights from One Generation to Another. Contact him at www.jeff@wisdomofage.net.
The following resources will give you some ideas on ways you can help raise and amplify the call to awareness:
UN International Day of The Older Person 2024
https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-of-older-persons/
https://social.desa.un.org/issues/ageing/events/2024-unidop
American Society on Aging https://www.asaging.org/ageism-awareness
Global Campaign to Combat Ageism – https://www.aworld4allages.org/
Changing the narrative – https://changingthenarrativeco.org/
Wisdom of Age https://wisdomofage.net/blog/