Excited to be speaking at the brand new Baker Senior Center in Naples Florida. Membership is in the thousands already and their weekly luncheon series hosts more than 200 guests.
Ageism can be subtle, but in whatever form it takes, it can harm older people. Medical, social and financial assessments are often based on incorrect assumptions about older people.
The best way to affect change is to start talking about it. For whomever is fortunate enough to live a long life, changes in the way American culture views older people will benefit you.
Here are a few tips:
be alert to your tone of voice when speaking to older adults: some unconsciously speak to older adults as if they were young children
if an older adult brings a support person with them for any kind of service, direct eye contact and comments regarding the service you provide to the older adult
be aware of the text in greeting cards directed at older adults - it can range from laughing at physical decline or in wishing a happy birthday speak only of the past, as if life is nearly over
don’t assume a physical ailment is due to age; its cause may likely be a correctable lifestyle habit
technology changes rapidly and older adults have been extremely adaptive in adjusting to this way of communicating; be patient and encouraging
if you are an older adult, be a confident one who can be a great role model for others; don’t be afraid to ask questions for clarification and correct condescending comments; everyone deserves respect.
Here’s a link to the Baker Center in Naples It’s a great example of community building and collaboration.