Hello, dear readers. I’m back after taking a brief sabbatical from my column, a first in 22 years. Several weeks ago, my column featured five areas highlighting the topic of aging as it is reflected in digital and print media, podcasts, webinars, research reports and more.
Here are five more areas that indicate the pervasiveness and relevance of the topic. This is an overview from one person’s perspective and is not based on formal analyses.
Public policy: A One example is the Congressional bill entitled the Protecting Older Workers from Age Discrimination Act of 2023 (POWADA). Benefiting from bipartisan support, this bill responds to a 2009 Supreme Court decision this made it more difficult to prove claims of unlawful bias under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Since 2009, older workers must prove that age is the deciding factor in the hiring decision, rather than just one of the factors. This is a higher burden of proof than that required for other types of employment discrimination claims. “This bill helps level the playing field for older workers and restores their ability to fight age discrimination in the workplace,” wrote Bill Sweeney, senior vice president of government affairs for the ‘AARP.
Older consumers: In 2022, tThose 65 and older accounted for 22% of spending in the U.S. economy. This is the highest market share since records began in 1972. The increase has been attributed to older consumers’ health, wealth and perhaps the psychological impact of the pandemic. HAS at the same time, this demographic is considered an underserved market. According to the Boston Consulting Group, mature consumers are often ignored by brand marketing because they are perceived as sensitive and dependent on physical stores for their purchases. “Nothing could be further from the truth. Marketers fail to recognize their role as pioneers”…notes the consulting group. Additionally, older adults agree and feel ignored due to age stereotypes, according to a study by Age of majority.
Job: In 2023, roughly 11 million elderly people were working, which is its size has almost quadrupled since the mid-1980s, according to a Pew study. The fastest growing age group is workers 75 years and over. Add to that changes to the Social Security system that raised the age at which workers can collect their full retirement benefits from 65 to 67. Although illegal, age discrimination persists in the workplace. AARP reports that 78 percent of older workers report witnessing or experiencing age discrimination in the work environment. This is the highest level since AARP began tracking this issue in 2003.
Dementia: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia among older adults, affecting nearly 7 million people. There is no agreed cause or cure and is among the most feared age-related conditions. Just over 10 percent of people ages 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease, and nearly two-thirds are women. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “By By 2050, that number is expected to reach 12.7 million, unless medical advances prevent or cure the disease. It is the seventh leading cause of death.
Intergenerational relationships: “What we miss when we don’t have intergenerational, personal and collective relationships,” headlines the Los Angeles Times (April 11, 2023). Age segregation is known to be a century-old trend in retirement homes, nursing homes and classrooms with children of the same age. Marc Freedman, co-executive director of CoGenerate, an organization creating a more age-inclusive culture, was quoted as saying that such a culture is “vital to solving major social problems.” For this to happen, he emphasizes that we need closeness and purpose – seeing each other repeatedly and regularly with common interests and goals. Closer intergenerational relationships are one way to prevent and eradicate ageism.
Getting older presents extraordinary challenges and opportunities. We are gradually witnessing strategies aimed at matching lifespan to lifespan; so that products, services and living conditions improve independence, security and dignity and that public policies guarantee older people the same rights as any other age group. We are seeing research studies focused on preventing and hopefully curing Alzheimer’s disease, as well as programs aimed at strengthening intergenerational connections.
We are all stakeholders. So let’s all take care to age while staying healthy, staying informed and staying connected to our loved ones and our communities. And of course, give back in some way. Know that every act of kindness counts.
Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader in the field of aging and new retirements, with academic, corporate, and nonprofit experience. Contact Hélène with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her at facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity
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