Healthy Communities Series: Building Intergenerational Relationships & Understanding Ageism

What is Ageism?

Ageism refers to how we think (stereotypes), how we feel (prejudice) and how we act (discrimination) towards ourselves and others, based on age. Ageism can and does affect everyone, and can contribute to and exacerbate other forms of prejudice and discrimination, including sexism, and racism. How we are taught to perceive age can shape how we view ourselves as we age, and contributes to how we treat everyone, young and old. Internalised ageism can affect self-image and self-esteem, limiting how we can show up in our relationships, and in the world. It can be complex to untangle from this type of social conditioning, particularly for folks who are disconnected from traditional cultural practices that normalize intergenerational relationships, from living together to the sacred responsibility of Elder care.

In particular, so-called Western society, with its roots deeply embedded in white supremacist ideals including individualism and extraction, encourages and promotes the authority of the adult and senior, while also strictly defining the characteristics of what it means to be an adult, primarily based on financial gain and material “success”. You’re not viewed as an adult until you check off the traditional markers of “success”: marriage, house, children, assets, and thus not taken seriously by society or the institutions that govern it. In turn, as you age, your worth in society diminishes until you become “unproductive” to the system and are encouraged or forced to relinquish your autonomy. Racism and sexism complicates this further, for example, in the adultification of brown and black children (https://news.ncsu.edu/2021/08/anger-bias-adultification/), and in societal expectations for women to deny the natural aging process.

Ageism has direct consequences on our health, collectively and individually. The World Health Organization reports that, “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.”

Building intergenerational relationships requires humility, compassion and an understanding that we all hold the internal bias of ageism. We all carry the responsibility of confronting this bias, and showing up in ways that support folks of all ages. Eldership is not a presumed destination simply from getting older, it also requires continued learning, spiritual growth and humility.

Benefits of Intergenerational Relationships //

Younger folks can learn vital traditional knowledge and skills from older folks, including cooking, storing food, repairing items, gardening and personal perspectives from the past. Passing down knowledge and wisdom can also contribute positively to a renewed sense of purpose later in life. Older folks can benefit from learning about a rapidly changing world from younger folks, culturally and technologically - from finding new music, to understanding media literacy and new and safer ways to find information and news online, to new perspectives that are shaping our world today. These connections can provide emotional well-being, mental stimulation, a sense of purpose, better physical health, and intergenerational learning, while combating social isolation, a growing issue among people of all ages. As much as we must practice respecting our Elders, so too should we practice respecting our Future Ancestors.

Resources:

TO WATCH // How do young and old come together in a way that works for everyone? Dr. Shannon Jarrott, Professor of Social Work at Ohio State University, takes us through her toolkit on facilitating activities that promote conversation and engagement between older people and youth, and discusses the importance of intergenerational relationships to a healthy society. https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/on-fostering-intergenerational-relationships-with-dr-shannon-jarrott-1

TO READ // [Report] Strengthening Cultural Responsiveness in Intergenerational Programs: Passion, Purpose, and Planning to Drive Equitable Change
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/files/preview/31281

TO WATCH // This webinar focused on intergenerational social engagement programs. During the webinar, Generations United shared on how intergenerational programs provide social engagement that benefits older and younger generations, including current trends and tips for developing local programs.
https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources/webinar-recording-tips-to-develop-engagement-opportunities-between-generations

Healthy Aging CORE BC
Healthy Aging Collaborative Online Resources and Education is a platform to connect Community-Based Seniors' Services (CBSS) organizations and allied agencies and individuals in BC. CORE is designed to provide up-to-date information, resources, and training opportunities and to make it easier to communicate, coordinate, and collaborate in order to help build capacity, strengthen the network, and develop a collective and cohesive voice among volunteers, staff, and others who support healthy aging initiatives. United Way BC manages the Healthy Aging CORE BC platform as a part of our work to build the capacity of the CBSS sector in BC. The knowledge hub connects organizations that support and advance independent living for older British Columbians which includes the Better at Home Program on Cortes and in other communities. LINK: https://bc.healthyagingcore.ca/resources