Changing the Narrative: Aging Beyond Stereotypes

As a social work professor, I teach my students the importance of rallying against bias, prejudice, and discrimination in their many forms. Living in a fallen world, this fight is woefully ongoing. We witness many “isms” in our day-to-day lives, and depending where we exist on the planet, some are more prominent than others. For those of us in the United States of America, one demographic that is glaringly mistreated is the elderly.

Ageism is a stark reality for most people as they grow older. Research overwhelmingly reveals that negative attitudes toward elders–including beliefs that they contribute minimal value to society–are widespread and can unwittingly influence our thinking and behavior. Unfortunately, these prevalent attitudes and actions are often internalized by older adults in a dismal self-fulfilling prophecy, contributing to anxiety, depression, stress, and lowered confidence (Kang & Kim, 2024).

The current graying of America phenomenon reflects that the number of individuals aged 65 and older is on the rise, climbing from about 58 million to an estimated 82 million by 2050 (Hawkins, 2024). This, then, means that more and more of us will struggle with the dismissive messages being sent by society regarding aging and elderly persons. Americans are also living longer, lengthening the years we dwell in the elderly category (O’Connell-Domenech, 2023). However, in this challenge rests opportunity: As the population of older adults increases, so does the potential to reshape perspective on aging and restore its dignity and worth. It becomes crucial to identify how we can do so in combating ageism within a country that glorifies youth.

The key to turning the tables lies in changing the narrative–both in how we view and approach aging in ourselves and others, and how we structure society around it. As a social worker, I think of how this can be accomplished on both micro and macro levels.

In examining the big picture, there is power in advocating for inclusive policies. For example, we can actively support laws that provide equal access in education, the workforce, and health care, and stand up against those that discriminate. The longstanding Older Americans Act and Age Discrimination Act serve to provide access to health-related services and prohibit exclusionary treatment in federally assisted programs and activities, including educational. The more recently proposed Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act would further safeguard employees from partiality and unfair practices. Unfortunately, the POWADA has not yet become law. Staying current with pending legislation and taking opportunities to write your congressperson are simple ways to ensure your voice is heard.

Storytelling, both fictional and biographical, is an effective and engaging method for increasing recognition about what it really looks and feels like to grow older. Consequently, it is critical to create and promote media representation that portrays older adults as intelligent, insightful, and active individuals. The 2024 movie Thelma is one such example, featuring a 93-year-old woman who faces her telephone scammer head on in a tale that is both comical and inspiring. The documentary Golden Years: Secret Life of Growing Up challenges common conceptions held about aging by presenting facts on the biological processes involved and highlighting a variety of older individuals who engage in such activities as poker playing, modeling, bodybuilding, and skydiving (Wiles, 2016). Golden Years proves that oftentimes age is just a number. Creating, supporting, and sharing such works can elevate awareness, cultivate knowledge, and shift defeatist attitudes.

The eradication of pessimism around aging is also achievable, and perhaps more so, through introspective efforts. Consider how you can educate yourself on what is accurate and what is cliché, and not perpetuate harm through spreading myths or not speaking up when you hear something inaccurate or misleading. Examine your own assumptions about aging and the elderly for bias or falsehoods that you need to address. Seek out relationships with people older and younger than you, and learn from their lived experiences and perspectives.

The capacity for change is founded in meaning making. Ageism, both toward oneself and others, can be countered through internalizing truths around what it means to age and not just exist, but thrive, as an older person–then disseminating these truths to those around us. This is neither a quick nor passive process. It will require intention, commitment, and fortitude. But since we’re living longer, we’ve got the time.