The article below describes the issues of ageism that older workers commonly encounter in the US. “Ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age. Ageism can change how we view ourselves, can erode solidarity between generations, can devalue or limit our ability to benefit from what younger and older populations can contribute, and can impact our health, longevity and well-being while also having far-reaching economic consequences. For example, ageism is associated with earlier death (by 7.5 years), poorer physical and mental health, and slower recovery from disability in older age. Ageism also increases risky health behaviors, such as eating an unhealthy diet, drinking excessively or smoking, and reduces our quality of life. In the United States, one in every seven dollars spent on health care every year for the eight most expensive conditions was due to ageism (US$ 63 billion in total).”
“More than a third of the United States population is older than 50, but the group turns up in only 15 percent of media images, according to research from AARP, the powerful advocacy organization focused on older Americans.”
“More than 53 million people older than 50 are employed, making up a third of the American labor force, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But only 13 percent of the images reviewed by AARP showed older people working.”
“Less than 5 percent of the images showed older generations handling technology, even though the Pew Research Center has found that 69 percent of people between 55 and 73 own a smartphone. More than a third of the images analyzed by AARP portrayed younger people with technology.”
“Many advertising professionals blame the ageism rampant in their own offices for contributing to the invisibility and distortion of older people in marketing campaigns.”
www.nytimes.com/2019/09/23/business/ageism-advertising-aarp.html
Career Counseling With Elaine Korngold
I bring extensive lived experience of working at various management levels in the corporate world to my counseling practice. Together, we can identify what is successful and what needs to change to improve your career situation. We can strategize alternative communication options and process feelings or past experiences that prevent you from moving forward. I integrate Brainspotting therapy and IFS (Internal Family Systems or Parts) therapy in my practice to help older workers deal with ageism and live their authentic life.