What is the modern-day treatment of senior citizens? Are they being disrespected in any way?
When children watch older people being insulted, they grow up believing they are worthless. Then, after 60 years, they find themselves precisely at the same spot.
Everyone over the age of 65 believes it’s all downhill from there. What kind of impact does it have on seniors and their families if they think they’re useless and boring? They don’t exercise, volunteer, or continue working even if they wish to because they’ve been subject to discrimination. If their spouse dies, they don’t go out looking for a new partner as they fear “I’ll be next.”
Internalized ageism has personal and social consequences. Mrs. Wilson discovered that 48 to 91 percent of all senior citizens surveyed experienced age discrimination. After analyzing all known studies on the subject, 50 to 98 percent of all younger people confessed to having discriminatory thoughts or behaviours toward older people. She believes it’s critical to continue investigating the extent of the issue by conducting more comprehensive studies, to eliminate stereotypes about seniors.
“Canada has a rapidly ageing population, which will rise from 19 percent to 26 percent in 11 years, but we’re scared of that reality. Under the effects of ageism, we may assume they burden society. That is where many misconceptions and lengthy misjudgements emerge.”
For instance, many think older folks regularly occupy hospital beds; however, only 20% of hospitals are 65 and older; the rest are younger, according to Wilson.
“Based on statistics, only about 3% of senior Canadians are so chronically ill to require nursing home care”, Wilson added. “The majority of them live in their own homes, lodges, or other assisted living facilities.”
According to Wilson, it’s also morally wrong to presume they’re unproductive. One in every five Canadians over the age of 65 is still working, and more than one-third of them are serving voluntarily in some form. She points out that the rate (3%) will increase since boomers “are active, busy, and healthy individuals.” They pay their taxes, start new businesses, look after their grandchildren, and bring a lot to keep society running. With all that being said, we don’t give them enough respect, and in the end, we’re all going to lose.
“Be careful not to disrespect your grandma!” “Watch your words when you’re talking to Aunt Mary; you know she’s a little bit sensitive!” “How dare you to tell me to knock on the door? I’m your mother, for god sake!” Literally, everyone (even our parents) had heard one of these sentences when we were younger or living with our parents years ago. You may wonder why people over 50 are so sensitive and keep feeling disrespected by others? Am I going to be like my mom? No way! Let me slap you with the truth. You’ll be sensitive as your mom, grandma, or Aunt Mary! You may try to refuse this fact by saying, no way! I’m more open-minded than them; I don’t care if my children disrespect me, I respect their boundaries, so there will be no struggles.
Let me explain it to you. Imagine this word “Respect.” It seems like a simple word, but it’s an invaluable concept to people over 50. It seems that as more time passes and societies become more modernized, the meanings of some concepts like respect have changed. Apparently, our parents have become more easygoing than 19-century parents (of course).
Still, one thing remains unchanged, seniors’ sensitivities. As people get older, internal biological changes cause these sensitivity levels among seniors. It will be more challenging to adapt to different situations and ideas. So it’s a normal and physical process. That’s why our parents get more sensitive like their parents, and you’ll be more sensitive like your parents. Despite people becoming more adaptable to new ideas, being more sensitive is inescapable due to mental and physical changes.
Seniors are mistreated by the government, banks, insurance companies, home service providers, healthcare providers, and employers because ageism is rooted in our economic framework. Capitalism depends on a functional underclass for cheap labour to operate and adequately profit, and successful capitalists don’t like to carry vulnerable people.
As every person for themselves society, socioeconomic status is the single most crucial factor in the quality of an older adult’s life. It determines how social institutions will treat them and their level of access to opportunities, resources, goods, and services. It influences their risk of illness and longevity. Most importantly, it determines how independent they can be. We see seniors being severely disrespected, neglected, or abused when they develop health issues that impact their levels of independence, wealth, and vulnerability. Unless they’re lucky enough to have an understanding, supportive and capable family, and dependency on others puts them at severe risk of mistreatment. As the burden grows and available resources shrink, the risk of mistreatment increases. This helps explain why abuse and neglect are common elements of overcrowded and underfunded public nursing homes.
Ageism in the workplace comes out on top of any other kind of mistreatment seniors might face. When you take your time making a career in a field, you expect to be treated with a certain level of respect because of your established capabilities and respect. Instead, you’re faced with false judgments based on your age and limited work opportunities. Personally, I find it very sad, and I wish society could put an end to it.