In working to fulfill its vital mission Aging Watch concentrates on three major initiatives:

Challenging negative stereotypes associated with aging while advancing a more accurate understanding of whom older people are and of what they are capable of doing.

• increasing public understanding of the natural aging process in order to dispel misconceptions, lessen fears, and advance a more positive view of growing older
• promoting accurate, fair, and inclusive representations of older adults in media and popular culture
• providing resources to health and human service providers to maximize their ability to prevent and combat ageism in their work and advocacy
• expanding opportunities for informal interaction among all age groups in order to promote intergenerational understanding and bonding

Ensuring elders obtain the social inclusion, economic security, and respect they deserve in our society.

• re-framing the policy debate to show that providing economic security and health care to elders is not political pandering, an undeserved handout, or a social burden; arguing instead that a certain standard of retirement has been promised to, and earned by, elders for their many contributions to our nation’s progress
• supporting public policies that will help older adults enjoy the retirements they deserve (e.g., protecting health and social benefits, enhancing volunteer and employment opportunities for those who want them, and strengthening economic safeguards for seniors)
• increasing the level of social respect afforded elders by highlighting the meaningful roles and contributions of older Americans

Highlighting and mobilizing against instances of bias, discrimination, and marginalization based upon age.

• ensuring that the voices of elders are heard and the needs of elders are represented in all public planning and decision-making
• organizing people of all ages to recognize and oppose instances of age discrimination, such as age-based discrimination in the workplace
• raising awareness about ageism in our everyday interactions and its detrimental effects in order to alter individual perception and behavior