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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
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Let's face it, people are denying aging like never before. We live in a society that favors youth. Over the years, anti-aging has become a multi-billion dollar industry offering everything from creams and surgeries, to products such as Botox® and Rogaine®, and other so-called wonder treatments. While many of us make personal choices to enhance our appearance (e.g., hair coloring), that is not the issue. Our concern is when people equate aging to disease and pathology as that is incorrect.
Many segments of our society hold negative attitudes toward older adults. Literature suggests that negative attitudes toward the aging process and older adults themselves adversely affect the care and support provided to older people. A few commonly used terms that reinforce the negative attitudes and beliefs that influence feelings and behaviors regarding older people include:
According to Cummings (2000), "Aging anxiety is related to negative stereotypes of older adults, perceptions of younger adults that these problems are likely to happen in their own future." Indicators of aging anxiety includes worrying about:
Perspective is a powerful influence on attitudes and behavior. If we hold mostly negative views about aging, this perspective will influence our interactions with older people. Health care professionals need to have adequate training in gerontology for reasons such as:
A quick and simple way to gauge your perspective on youth and age is to look at the picture to the right. Do you see an elderly woman or a young girl? If you cannot see the older woman, you are not alone. The older person is often invisible in our society.
Education is key to changing attitudes and influencing perceptions of aging and older people. The first step is recognizing negative attitudes and feelings in ourselves. We need to be aware of our own attitudes that may be based on myths or misperceptions rather than the realities of aging. Research indicates "accurate aging information has been found an effective intervention in reducing stereotypes and improving attitudes toward aging" (Miller, 2004). Dr. Phil McGraw, a popular psychologist and life coach, believes that acknowledgement is critical to ANY attitude and behavior change. He states: You cannot change what you do not acknowledge!
Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development: There really is an Encyclopedia of Ageism! Check out this website for further information on this excellent resource edited by Dr. Erdman Palmore, an international guru in gerontology.
GERO GEMS are a monthly publication of the Center for Aging with Dignity. Compiled by Evelyn Fitzwater, this publication is designed to raise awareness of aging and related issues affecting health care professionals and our society as a whole.
Last Reviewed: Dec 05, 2008
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Evelyn L Fitzwater, DSN, RN Associate Professor Emerita Associate Director of the College of Nursing University of Cincinnati |
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Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
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