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.