Ageism is the often subtle, lifelong mindset that advancing age brings only limitations and deficits. It is the one societal challenge that exacerbates all other prejudices against race, creed, ethnicity, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. Given one or more of these other variables, it may be manifest in different ways. Nonetheless, ageism and its negative beliefs contribute greatly to seniors’ poor health and diminished contributions to the greater good. How well do we understand the subtle forces of ageism? Often dressed in humor and generally accepted caricature, ageism is a destructive force affecting us all. Many unwittingly buy into the language and societal messaging that robs us of the vast resources and quality contributions that seniors may offer themselves and others. In this workshop, we will explore a number of ways ageism affects our interactions with family, friends, and larger communities. We will also examine the impact of internalized ageism that impedes our own understanding of our skills and capacities. Finally, we will consider ways that we can change our language, understandings, and behaviors, and how we can support this process for others.

This course will combine lecture with class discussions.