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Fear of ageing needs to change
Worrying about getting older can actually cause you to age badly .
The fear of ageing prevents us from ageing well , but these fears are based on falsehoods , according to a new study . This was the major finding from The Drivers of Ageism , released by Australian charity the Benevolent Society . Commissioned by Urbis , the study was conducted to give a better understanding of what generates fear of ageing and older people .
The Benevolent Society ’ s executive director of strategic engagement , Dr Kirsty Nowlan , said the research showed societal attitudes towards ageing needed to change .
“ We need a radical rethink of attitudes towards getting older because we perceive older people as frail , less involved in life , confused and non-productive ,” she said . “ We worry about being a burden as we get older , we fear loss of independence . But this may not be the reality for many of us . What the research shows is that many of our views about older people are based on outdated myths and stereotypes .
“ As a result of this research , we plan to launch a campaign next year addressing the social and policy impacts of ageism , called EveryAGE Counts . We want to drive new conversations and a national agenda for older Australians , including a federal minister for older Australians ,” Nowlan said .
The research found that people ’ s attitudes towards their own ageing were primarily shaped by personal experience and the level of contact they had with older people . People tended to have more positive attitudes if they had a personal connection with older people , such as in the workplace or the family .
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
• The majority of people ( 79 per cent ) care about ageism .
• Participants said the most important places for ageism to be addressed were the workplace ( 54 per cent ), healthcare ( 47 per cent ), aged care ( 33 per cent ) and families and local communities ( 31 per cent ).
• The main concern raised was the economic impact of an ageing population .
• The study found that any new advocacy campaign should focus on intergenerational interactions , providing information to dispel myths , and partnerships with other organisations .
• Between 1964 and 2014 the aged population ( those older than 65 ) doubled . ■
The new middle age
NARI report urges new thinking on ageing and cultural attitudes to people as they enter middle age .
They start to think that they are a drain on society and they talk about themselves in that way .”
This internalising of the narrative of doom and gloom surrounding Australians approaching older age is one of the key issues the director of the National Ageing Research Institute , Associate Professor Briony Dow , wants political parties to tackle .
The call follows the release of a new NARI report called The New Middle Age : Ways to Thrive in the Longevity Economy .
Its authors , including Dow , said every political party should actively and consistently counter the pervasive negative view of ageing and recognise the growing middle-aged population as a valuable economic and social resource .
The paper called for a new policy framework for Australians in the “ new middle age ” ( 50 – 75 ), who account for a third of the population . The authors want a rethink of cultural attitudes to people as they enter middle age and a revamp of how workplace , education , health and housing systems operate .
“ There are currently seven million Australians aged 50 – 75 years who are facing an extended life expectancy in a volatile and rapidly changing economic and political environment ,” the report said .
“ Australia and its political leaders have an opportunity to take the lead in bringing the nation round to a more positive approach to longer life expectancy .”
To embrace the potential of this demographic group , the paper ’ s authors suggested cultivating more adaptable workplaces , encouraging lifelong learning , promoting preventive health measures and building communities that nurture social engagement and intergenerational cooperation .
“ The first step should be to change the language used ,” they said . “ Research shows we become what we are told we are . Tell people consistently they have no value and they will believe you . Much can be achieved by being positive and inclusive .”
Dow said governments have the opportunity to change the current narrative and to focus on broader ageing issues .
“ I ’ d like to see both the government and the opposition take up the call to really focus on this group , what the opportunities are , and the policies they can put in place to ensure better outcomes for all .” ■
4 agedcareinsite . com . au