AGEISM HOW WE THINK, FEEL AND ACT TOWARDS OLDER PEOPLE How old are you today? 0–15 years 16–35 years 36–45 years 46–55 years 56–65 years +66 years AREN’T YOU TOO OLD FOR THAT? Ageism refers to the attitudes — including negative stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination — that society directs towards older adults. This interactive module invites us to question our perceptions of older adults and their roles through a participatory experience. How it works: 1. Choose the color that corresponds to your age group. 2. Read each prompt carefully and answer the questions below. 3. Submit your responses and explore what others have shared. When you select your age group, a star will appear showing how many users have responded within that range. At the end of the exercise, you’ll also see the total number of responses submitted by all participants so far. Ready? Let’s go! 0 1 At what age does society consider a person to be old? From 40 years oldFrom 50 years oldFrom 60 years oldFrom 70 years oldFrom 80 years old 2 What is the general feeling in society with regard to old age? AdmirationRespectIndifferenceContemptPity 3 What does society consider to be the most common characteristic of old age? Wise and experiencedNo common characteristicOutdated, not very active and conservativeSmart, but with a few difficulties in keeping with modern trendsA person with dementia living in a nursing home 4 How does society treat older people? Abusing themIgnoredSimilar to how children are treatedNo special treatmentAccording to needs 5 Where do you often see old people? NowhereHospitalsSupermarketTheatres / cinemas / museumsTravelling around the country / world 6 What best describes society’s perspective on older adults using technology? Able to use technologyModerately keep up with new technologyThe same as for younger adultsOften struggle with new technology and may need extra helpToo outdated to learn or use modern technology 7 What is society’s view of older people’s ability to make financial decisions? Make good decisions because they have experience and wisdomThe same as for younger adultsNeed support to make certain decisions but can still make themMay have difficulty in making decisionsAre often unable to make good decisions 8 What is society’s view of older men? As interesting and attractiveBeing wise but sometimes boringAs grandfathersLike people who use anti-ageing treatmentsAs the same as they see older women 9 What is society’s view of older women? Like people who use anti-ageing treatmentsBeing wise but sometimes boringAs the same as they see older menAs interesting and attractiveAs grandmothers 10 What is the main impact of ageing for societies? Failure of the welfare systemHigh demand for health careNothing specialA new and large group of consumersMore people who can contribute to society with their experience 11 What is society’s view of the main advantage of being old? Everyone doing everything for youCaring for grandchildrenNothing specialRespect from peopleNot having to work 12 When do you think you will feel old? From 40 years oldFrom 50 years oldFrom 60 years oldFrom 70 years oldFrom 80 years old 13 How would you like society to feel about you in your old age? AdmirationRespectIndifferenceContemptPity 14 What would be the common characteristic you would have in your old age? Wise and experiencedNo common characteristicOutdated, not very active and conservativeSmart, but with a few difficulties in keeping with modern trendsA person with dementia living in a nursing home 15 How would you like to be treated in your old age? Abusing themIgnoredSimilar to how children are treatedNo special treatmentAccording to needs 16 Where would you like to spend your time when you are old? NowhereHospitalsSupermarketTheatres / cinemas / museumsTravelling around the country / world 17 How do you think you will deal with technology as an older adult? Able to use technologyModerately keep up with new technologyThe same as for younger adultsOften struggle with new technology and may need extra helpToo outdated to learn or use modern technology 18 What would your ability to make decisions about your finances be like as an older adult? Make good decisions because they have experience and wisdomThe same as for younger adultsNeed support to make certain decisions but can still make themMay have difficulty in making decisionsAre often unable to make good decisions 19 How would you like to be perceived by society if you were an older man? As interesting and attractiveBeing wise but sometimes boringAs grandfathersLike people who use anti-ageing treatmentsAs the same as they see older women 20 How would you like to be perceived by society if you were an older woman? Like people who use anti-ageing treatmentsBeing wise but sometimes boringAs the same as they see older menAs interesting and attractiveAs grandmothers 21 What would you like to be the main impact of ageing for societies in your old age? Failure of the welfare systemHigh demand for health careNothing specialA new and large group of consumersMore people who can contribute to society with their experience 22 What would you like to be the main advantage of being old when you are old? Everyone doing everything for youCaring for grandchildrenNothing specialRespect from peopleNot having to work NEXT QUESTIONS SEND AND VIEW THE ANSWERS
