Aging in Place Ageism dies Hard
When you’re fearful of aging, you don’t step into your full power and potential.
Aging in Place
Granted this piece is from 2015 (I’d hope society is moving beyond this kind of internalized ageism), but the gerontophobia and disparaging condemnation of aging was astounding. Not surprising for the time, but nonetheless cringe worthy. It just shows how much work there is still to be done to right the ship.
For years now, especially in the Assisted Living industry which has a vested interest in casting shade on the term “aging in place,” there has been concerted effort to deny that aging is living.
If I were “shopping” on behalf of a parent today, I would be turned off rather quickly by a community touting aging in place. For me, the term conjures up images of an older person in a rocking chair with a glazed look, an idle stare and cobwebs encircling their frail body. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s the mental picture “aging in place” gives to me. And as they say, “A picture is worth a . . .”
In truth, I cannot think of a more dour and depressing term.
~ Bill McClain / seniorlivingforesight.net
Further, the author has a black and white picture of a rocking chair for the image of his article. I don’t know Mr. McClain, but at the time of the post he stated he was retired and starting a new gig in the assisted living industry. My point about the author is this, he’s most likely over 65 himself—yet look at how he describes aging in place! This is a classic case of internalized ageism—he’s drunk the cool aid. Classic gerontophobia and somehow still acceptable to him?
I always need to frame these arguments/attempts at rebranding “aging in place” as “thriving in place” or living in place” euphemisms as marketing and be mindful of the incentives.
Ageism like this from older adults themselves appears to be a veiled form of self-loathing (internalized ageism), Betty Friedan described it many years ago in Fountain of Age (1993). A form of “othering” (isms) that separates us from older adults. I understand the origins are based on historical gerontology which privileged the medical model view of aging. The emphasis was on decline, focusing on pathology and thus biomedicalization of aging controlled the narrative. But at some point critically thinking moderns need to question past assumptions about growing older.
I’m not encouraging “happy gerontology” denying the realities of physical/mental aging, but a more up-to-date accounting is surely warranted here. Leave the dated ageism perspective out of the conversation for a moment and look at the data:
In 2010, Only 4.5 percent (about 1.5 million) of older adults live in nursing homes and 2 percent (1 million) in assisted living facilities. The majority of older adults (93.5 percent, or 33.4 million) live in the community.
(source https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
In 2020, only 1.2 million adults over 65 were residents in a nursing home (forbes.com)
Aging in place has been the norm for decades and is preferred by the vast majority of community dwelling older adults.
Push Back on Ageism
Author Margaret Gullette notes: “We are aged more by culture than by chromosomes,” and this insidious decline narrative is getting applied earlier to younger people.
A push back on this kind of ageism is needed and positive associations around aging must be normalized. But to embrace this concept our society must change its view of what it means to grow old. As has been pointed out eloquently in Nortin M. Hadler’s thought provoking book, Rethinking AGING (UNC Press 2011), the secret to longevity is the structure of society, not whether anyone eats bran (p.50). It is the social construction that Americans have been taught and nearly all have accepted about aging and its issues, that really matters.
Mr. McClain ends with these thoughts:
With the heightened importance of social engagement, an active, vibrant environment — and what memory care guru Dr. John Zeisel, founder and CEO of The Hearthstone Institute calls, “a life worth living” — I can’t think of a more counterproductive phrase than “aging in place.” Several other baby boomers and adult children I’ve talked to agree. Some even wince and laugh at the notion — as I first did.
For lack of a better alternative, I’ve started using the term “Living in Place” for some of our client communities. So far, no objections. For me, Living in Place is a more accurate, representative and uplifting option. We’re supposed to be about lifestyle and living, right? Why highlight aging?
As they say (rightly or wrongly), “perception is everything” (irony! my comment). Do you want your community known for aging in place or living life to the fullest for as long as you can without ever having to move?
What do you think? Do you aspire to “age in place”, or would you prefer to thrive in a comfortable, vibrant community that you never have to leave?
Am I making a big deal over nothing? Is there another term you are currently using? Is it descriptive yet uplifting? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter. And thank you for indulging me! Maybe it’s just my age . . . .
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Bill, I doubt you’re going to love to hear my thoughts, but here they are. I’m a bit late to the party, but I hope your outlook has changed—aging is not a sin!
- I really can’t emphasize how out of touch this line is: “We’re supposed to be about lifestyle and living, right? Why highlight aging?” / As if those are mutually exclusive!
- Ageism is NEVER good business
- Average Age of Assisted Living Residents: Around half of assisted living residents in the U.S. are at least 85 years old. Just over 30% of residents are between 75 and 84 years old. About 13% of residents are between 65 and 74 years old. Just 6% of residents are younger than 65 years old.
(source https://www.forbes.com/health/senior-living/assisted-living- statistics/Jan 11 2024)
source: seniorlivingforesight.net/ seniorlivingforesight.net/aging-in-place-why-i-hate-that-term/