Ageism

So it’s that time of year when many of us, at least in our younger years, might have fretted over not having a “beach body” (whatever that’s supposed to mean). But now, most of us have likely come to terms with the way we look, the way we feel, and…

While perhaps not as overt as it was at the beginning of the pandemic (when politicians openly suggested that older adults sacrifice themselves for the good of the economy) ageism continues to be one of the few remaining “isms” that is openly voiced and often humorously bandied about in popular…

The pressure is real for so many of us who have crossed that line (wherever it runs) from middle-aged to the next stage. When we see women in their 50s like Jennifer Lopez or Nicole Kidman look slim and glamorous, it’s hard not to take note of the fact that…

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then it appears that a lot of older women are now ready to declare themselves beautiful. And former supermodel Paulina Porizkova, at age 56, is leading the charge.   The trend of older women speaking out against ageist standards of what…

For those who have experienced this, you may remember cringing: A well-meaning nurse or physician called you “dear,” or asked you in an excessively sweet voice to “take this pill” or take a deep breath. This is considered “Elderspeak” and it reeks of ageism when it’s used in the health-care…

Despite the growing number of older adults in our population, it seems that many of us in our later years still face strong headwinds when it comes to bucking ageist attitudes. While only comprising 16% of the population in 2017, adults over age 60 will constitute 22% of the population…