The Influence of Ageism
Legacy Retirement Communities By Cory Kibler
Of all the “isms” in our world, one we may not hear about or discuss over the dinner table very often is ageism. As with other “isms,” there are outward examples of ageist words and behaviors AND much subtler instances that can perpetuate (often untrue) stereotypes about seniors.
Tracy Haefele, Life Enrichment Associate at Legacy Retirement Communities, likes to highlight an example of ageist language we’ve probably all used: the word “still” in the context of senior living.
“Are you still gardening?” or “Do you still travel?” may seem innocuous at first, but the word “still” makes our question sound more like, “Aren’t you a little old to be gardening or traveling?” That’s the power that even small words carry!
Even trickier is that almost everyone uses ageist language, including seniors themselves. We’ve come to accept that doing certain activities as a senior is dangerous, miraculous, or both. Of course, plenty of 90-year-olds live with youthful vigor, and plenty of 30-year-olds lead quiet thoughtful lives. When it comes to what someone may or may not be able to do, age alone just doesn’t help us much.
Our task, then, is to change our assumptions and language around age … and the best way to do that is to have first-hand experiences that contradict our biases.
It’s another reason why life at Legacy Retirement Communities is so valuable. Every day, residents are empowered to maintain an active lifestyle through any number of activities, and people of all ages grow to view one another as nuanced individuals rather than stereotypes. Seniors get to know high school-aged staff and are heartened to see our future is in good hands. Meanwhile, those younger staff members learn quickly that “senior” isn’t synonymous with “incapable.”
Further, our joy and self-worth rely on so much more than what we can or can’t do, and comparing ourselves to others (or even our younger selves) is a fruitless endeavor. When you discover the intersection of where your abilities and your interests meet, you’ll continue to find fulfillment and stay engaged for yourself as an individual and leave the comparisons behind.
At Legacy Retirement Communities, we’ve found that the best way to experience joy is to focus on our own unique purpose. Not our purpose in any grand or profound way, but rather, our humble purpose in the day before us and the lives around us. What gifts can we offer others? What can we be grateful for? What new things can we learn or experience? These are the questions that lead us to joy, however old or young we feel.