Aging is a universal and unique process. There is significant variability among older adults in
areas ranging from health needs and function, income, and education, to social identity and
employment. Older adults have a diverse range of identities, abilities, interests, experiences, and expertise across domains. Sometimes, individuals may say things, even inadvertently, that foster stereotypical, prejudicial, or discriminatory language about older people. For example,
language that refers to older people as a group in negative ways – like being cranky, dependent, or useless – can negatively impact people’s understandings of aging and older age. These attitudes can be harmful to older adults. This is ageism. (From the document). Follow the link for other resources on reframing elder abuse. Record #8236