Recognizing and Resisting Ageism: Views from Older Adults

TL;DR

This study explores how older adults experience and respond to ageism, finding that discussions about it can raise awareness and encourage resistance.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach to understanding and combating ageism through focus groups and follow-up surveys with older adults.

Findings

Participants often misunderstood internalized ageism, focusing more on the challenges of aging.

Discussions about ageism increased awareness and led to conversations or actions against it.

Ageism was most commonly experienced in families and businesses, with fewer incidents in healthcare and employment.

Abstract

This study aims to generate knowledge for the development of anti-ageism interventions for older people. We conducted 12 focus groups (N = 75) to explore experiences with interpersonal and internalized ageism, reactions to ageist incidents, and ideas about resisting. We conducted six-month follow-up survey interviews to gain understanding about how focus group discussions changed awareness and actions regarding ageism. Participants ranged from 60 to 91 years (M = 75); 76% were female, 56% White, 41% Black, and 20% identified as LGBTQIA+. Thematic analysis revealed that not all participants understand the concept of ageism, especially internalized ageism. Among those who did, lack of respect and feeling invisible were identified as hallmarks. Ageism most often appeared among families and in businesses and took the form of disregard and paternalism. Fewer examples were provided in health care and employment, although harmful incidents mentioned. Internalized ageism wasn’t well understood; participants often talked about the challenges of aging instead. For participants with minoritized identities, racism, ableism, and homophobia played a more central role than ageism in experiences of discrimination. Reactions to ageism ranged from nonresponse to context-dependent actions shaped by relationships with perpetrators. In ongoing survey follow-ups (n = 52 to date), 75% shared new examples of ageism; 63% described new examples of internalized ageism; 51% reported a conversation about ageism with someone; 38% had addressed an ageist comment directed toward them; and 84% reported increased awareness. These findings suggest that simple discussions about ageism can serve as an intervention, raising awareness and encouraging resistance.