We’ve Got to Name It to End It

I just returned home from a 10-day trip to see my parents. My mom is 87, and my dad is 88. They are active, engaged, well-read, in good health, and, like most of their friends (many of whom are older than them), are accepting older age as just another phase of life. Lucky for me, they are excellent role models when it comes to the approaching ups and downs of older adulthood.

Five or six mornings a week, they walk three miles at about a 20-minute mile pace (typically a bit faster, my father would probably want you to know—every second counts, after all). Joining them on these walks is one of the best parts of my visits. One hour of uninterrupted time spent talking. To me, it's absolutely priceless.

On one of our walks last week, my mom and I were chatting about something related to older adulthood, and I used the term "AGEISM." Much to my surprise, she told me she'd never heard of it. So, I began to explain that it was discrimination based on age, like attributing someone's perceived challenge (in this case, I think it was difficulty getting their ridiculously convoluted TV remote to work properly) to their older age.

She told me she understood the concept—and had experienced it many times—but didn't know there was a word for it. I was astounded.

And then it occurred to me, perhaps we are missing the boat here. If the victims of ageism don’t know there is a word for it, how can we possibly end it?

Since I began writing these weekly posts a few months back, I have gained a number of followers and connections—all of whom, like me, are dedicated to ending ageism. But have we created an echo chamber for ourselves in the process? What are we doing to broaden our audience to include those not focused on this issue—something we must do if we want to end ageism once-and-for-all? How do we cultivate more allies?

I would very much love to know your thoughts about this. Please share them in the comments below. Thanks.