With people in the U.S. aging better and living longer, older adults are one of the fastest-growing groups in the country. In fact, by 2030, all Baby Boomers will be age 65+ and by 2040 roughly 78.3 million Americans will fall within that age group.
Ageism is prevalent in the United States and is widely documented in various sectors of society, including the workplace, healthcare, and media. Studies indicate that the vast majority of older Americans regularly experience some form of age-based prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination.
The Workplace
The workplace is a common area where ageism occurs, affecting both hiring and continued employment. According to research from AARP, 64% of workers age 50-plus have experienced ageism in one form or another.
Ageism in Healthcare
Negative ageist attitudes and biases are present among healthcare providers, which can have detrimental effects on older adults.
- Poorer health outcomes: Ageism is linked to worse physical and mental health outcomes for older adults, with one study showing that ageism costs the U.S. healthcare system $63 billion annually.
- Unequal care: Older patients may receive less aggressive care or be denied certain treatments based solely on their age. Studies have shown that age is often a determining factor in who receives certain medical procedures.
- Patronizing communication: Healthcare providers sometimes use “elderspeak,” a simplified speech pattern similar to baby talk, that can be experienced as patronizing and demeaning, even by people with dementia.
Media and Cultural Messaging
Ageist stereotypes are deeply embedded in American culture and reinforced by media.
- Negative portrayals: The media often portrays older adults in negative ways, which can influence how people view the aging process and their own aging.
- Internalized ageism: Internalizing negative stereotypes, such as believing that health problems or depression are a normal part of aging, can significantly and negatively impact a person’s health.
Legal and Societal Context
- Legal protection: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 protects employees and applicants aged 40 and older from discrimination.
- Underreporting: Despite legal protections, ageism remains widespread, with many instances going unreported.
- Unrecognized bias: Ageism is often called the “last acceptable ‘ism’” because it is frequently tolerated or unrecognized as a form of discrimination, even when illegal.