Abstract
Life expectancy is increasing worldwide. Unfortunately, people are generally not prepared for this long life ahead and have ageist attitudes that inhibit maximizing the “longevity dividend” they have been given. Aging education can prepare people for life’s later years and combat ageism. It can reimage aging as a time of continued growth, development and fulfillment. Unfortunately, aging education is not a common occurrence. This education needs to begin with children and continue throughout life. This article discusses why we need to teach about aging and aging education content, suggests a conceptual framework for aging education, and presents aging education resources. The concept of ageism is discussed and suggestions for combating ageism are proposed.
Highlights
The Report identified the need to: reframe aging and combat ageism, recognize one’s own aging stereotypes and prejudices, educate people about aging and ageism, and foster intergenerational relationships and collaborations. It noted that positive attitudes about aging and knowledge about aging are essential to combating ageism
People cannot afford to face the future with a mindset of ageism and gerontophobia and society cannot afford to have its future guided by people who grow up ignorant about aging (Couper & Pratt, 1999)
The Growing Up an Growing Older: Books for Young Readers annotated booklist focuses on literature for young children (Preschool-Primary) that can assist in laying a foundation for positive aging and combat ageism (McGuire, 2017)
Summary
Worldwide, aging is a process in which everyone is already involved. It is a lifelong experience not just a later life occurrence. Among the world’s young people, survival to age 80 is expected to be commonplace (United Nations, 2015). This new found “longevity dividend” needs to be maximized and enjoyed. Increased longevity and worldwide aging are constantly in the public view, yet preparing people for this long life has received little attention. People need to be prepared to live a long life in an aging world (Couper & Pratt, 1999; Crawford, 2015; Crawford, 2000). Aging education can prepare people for the long life ahead of them, promote “aging with optimism”, and combat ageism
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