Like racism and sexism, ageism is a social disease fed by stereotypes. Elders are lumped together under the heading of “old” and attributed a demeaning set of characteristics: senile, sickly, unattractive, greedy, cranky, and child-like. To transform the way our society sees older people we must combat ageism in the everyday interactions and cultural exchanges [...]

Age-based discrimination in American society is rarely overt. Few people stand on their rooftops to proclaim a dislike of older people. But ageism exists nonetheless. Many of us harbor negative stereotypes of who older people are and a limited understanding of what they are capable of doing. These misconceptions often become [...]

Writer Jeanne Faulkner discusses how people in different locations respond to their aging bodies. An excerpt: “Middle-aged American women are the target-market for thousands of anti-aging beauty products and treatments. Miracle creams claim they’ll shave years off my face. When I took my teenager to a dermatologist for acne, I was told to [...]

In this U.S. News column, Philip Moeller explores how society unfairly judges older drivers. An excerpt: “Older drivers are, on balance, much less hazardous to the safety of other drivers and pedestrians than many other drivers, young drivers in particular. They are, as a group, much wiser behind the wheel and more careful about [...]

Writer Bernard Baskin reflects on the process of growing older in this article from The Canadian Jewish News. An excerpt: “In many ways, it is the old that are to be envied by the young. They have so much less to lose that often they are capable of much more dedication and commitment to [...]