Redefining Aging: Embracing a Vibrant Senior Life

A recent spate of films featuring older actors, like “80 for Brady” and “The Fabulous Four,” which address aging head-on, are having a moment. They portray the protagonists as forward-thinking, with-it types who aren’t easily scandalized and reinforce healthy aging. This is an improvement over movies and media of the past, many of which portrayed older adults as feeble, hard of hearing, incapable or — at best — the sassy elderly counterpart to younger actors.

Still, this new crop of offerings is laced with “old age” jokes (like breaking a friend out of a retirement home who has taken the wrong medication) and pointed dialogue that calls attention to the negative aspects of growing older (fanny packs, wrinkles, and memory issues, anyone?). And while these references can be worth a laugh and seem to deal with the challenges of aging head on, they still marginalize older adults in insidious ways.

Ageism is, unfortunately, one of the last socially acceptable prejudices, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), and so ingrained in our society and cultural norms that we often don’t even notice it. In fact, many times these negative views on aging aren’t just inaccurate or exaggerated, they can cause real harm.

Imagine you’re a policy-maker charged with allocating resources. Are you likely to support a group of people you’ve been taught to perceive as a burden to society? The same goes for medical care. Or psychological care. Are older adults truly taken seriously when seeking that care? Ageism can affect those outcomes.

According to the APA, a vast majority of men and women over age 65 are living their best lives, experiencing “more well-being, life satisfaction, and emotional stability as they age.” Research shows that committing to a healthy aging can extend that experience for even longer.

Research also shows that for people over 65, their own perceptions of aging can make a huge difference, as well. Yes, we even view ourselves through the lens of ageism!

A large, nationwide study of 14,000 people by the American Heart Association found those with the highest satisfaction regarding aging cut their risk of dying from any cause almost in half during four years of follow-up compared to those with the lowest satisfaction. Those same people also had a reduced risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke, cancer and heart disease, as well as better cognitive functioning. And, they had a better quality of life and were less lonely, less likely to be depressed, more optimistic and had a stronger sense of purpose.

There’s lots of evidence that shows It’s time to change the narratives — for ourselves and for society.

But where do we begin?

The National Center to Reframe Aging reports: “Research found that there are stark differences between what professionals in the field of aging believe about older people and the process of aging and what the public believes. Because of these gaps, aging professionals and advocates may be working counterproductively. We need to find better ways to talk about aging so that the public learns the whole story about aging, not just the incomplete version that focuses on dependence and disability.”

A tip sheet the organization created says the first step is to be conscious of ageism wherever you see it. In ads, media, movies, and in our conversations with others, notice what the message is. If you hear terms like, “elderly,” “aged,” or “aging dependents,” try to encourage the use of more neutral terms like “older Americans.” 

Another thing to watch for is words like “struggle,” “battle,” or “fight,” as in, “struggling with health problems,” or “battling dementia.” Instead, point out that a person is “living” with those common conditions that arise with getting older. It’s all about aging gracefully.

Point out, too, all the good things that come with healthy aging. Knowledge and experience, for instance, can be shared with family, friends and community.

At Meadowood, we promote active senior lifestyles and celebrate our residents’ abilities, and use their knowledge and experience throughout the community, from chairing committees and organizing events to teaching classes and skills to their peers, as well as those outside our walls. We know that social engagement for seniors is important, and offer many opportunities for residents to connect with one another.

As more Americans live longer, more productive lives, the ideas and language around growing older need to change. It’s a goal for all of us at Meadowood to join the effort to reframe aging and promote a positive image of older adults as capable, vibrant, intelligent, and eager to contribute to the world in meaningful ways.