in Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Southgate, West Grey
June 12, 2025
The Grey Bruce Elder Abuse Prevention Network is marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) this year by highlighting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) campaign to stop ageism. WEAAD is an international event recognized by the United Nations that happens each year on June 15.
'Ageism' means stereotypes (how people think), prejudice (how people feel), and discrimination (how people act) towards others based on their age. Stereotypes and prejudice can lead to actions that harm seniors (discrimination).
For example, thinking that all older adults are forgetful is a stereotype because not all older adults are forgetful. Some older adults experience illnesses that cause them to become forgetful, while others do not have problems with their memory. This stereotype can lead to negative actions (discrimination), such as refusing to hire older adults for jobs.
The WHO is trying to change how people think and feel about aging to stop discrimination based on age. The WHO has created a campaign called A World 4 All Ages. There are many materials on the campaign’s website at www.aworld4allages.org, including an 'ageism scale' that can be filled out by adolescents through to older adults. The scale can be used to measure a person’s experiences with ageism, as well as measure a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours toward older adults.
The WHO is concerned about ageism because research shows that ageism is bad for society. Ageism leads to poor health, social isolation, financial insecurity, and even early death for some older adults. Dealing with these consequences of ageism costs society billions of dollars. Society also makes less money due to ageism because older adults spend less time working at jobs due to ageism.
Ageism is connected to elder abuse. Negative ideas about older adults can lead people to abuse seniors by harming them physically, emotionally, sexually, or financially. The WHO’s work to stop ageism is an important part of international efforts to stop elder abuse.
The Grey Bruce Elder Abuse Prevention Network encourages all residents of Grey and Bruce Counties to join in raising awareness of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and fostering a community that supports people of all ages. By taking action and challenging the way we think, feel and behave towards age and ageing, we can create a world that is better for everyone.
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