Respect aging Respect Aging Preventing Violence against Older

Respect aging Respect Aging: Preventing Violence against Older Persons Section 1: RECOGNITION Module 5: Diversity, ageism and violence Violence Prevention Initiative

Respect aging Agenda • Welcome • Learning together: • Diversity, ageism and violence • Small group activity • Reporting back to whole group • Wrap-up / Evaluation

Respect aging Diversity & older persons in NL • Oldest • Age population in Canada diversity in NL (2011) • 48, 855 people 65 -74 • 24, 695 people 75 -84 • 8, 560 people 85+ • Each age group has differing needs • More diversity: sex, ethnicity, ability, health status

Respect aging Dimensions of diversity Primary dimensions Secondary dimensions

Respect aging Dimensions of diversity: visibility Primary dimensions Secondary dimensions

Respect aging Differences can lead to… • Prejudice • Stereotyping • Discrimination

Respect aging Prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination… • Ignorance and fear • Preserve power and control • Violence and threats • Claims of natural superiority

Respect aging Prejudice • A negative attitude • Tends to be driven by emotion • Means to “pre-judge” • Can lead to dehumanization

Respect aging Stereotype • A generalization • Don’t see individual differences • Family, • Don’t peers, media, society see the whole person

Respect aging Discrimination • An action (or lack of action) • Based on prejudiced attitudes and stereotypes • Denial of fair treatment or equal rights

Respect aging Stereotype, prejudice or discrimination? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. “She is a woman so she knows how to cook and clean. ” “I don’t care if he has a good reference; we don’t hire men to work in this day care centre. ” “They are wearing turbans; stay away from them – they might be hiding bombs. ” “Mexicans are good soccer players. ” “Old people are frail. ” “That lady is too old for this job. ”

Respect aging “isms” • Ageism • Ableism • Classism • Heterosexism • Racism • Sexism

Respect aging Ageism • Ageist attitudes towards older people contribute toward their invisibility, marginalization and social exclusion. • They are seen as second-class citizens.

Respect aging Dimensions of diversity that may cause challenges for older persons • Age • Income • Ability • Housing • Mental status • Culture/language • Sexual orientation • Food preferences • Sex, gender • Education, literacy • Aboriginal • Marital status • Rural, isolated • Health status

Respect aging Violence impacts different older persons in different ways • Older women • Older immigrants, refugees • Older Aboriginal persons • Older persons living with disabilities • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender older persons • Older persons living with HIV/AIDS • Isolated and rural older persons

Respect aging So what can you do?

Respect aging Increase awareness • Ensure differences are respectfully acknowledged and addressed • Avoid stereotyping older persons or any persons • Be aware of cultural differences • Be aware of gender differences

Respect aging Take action against ageism • Examine your own biases • Question ageist language and images • Challenge • Do not discriminate • Respect • Be ageist “jokes” and celebrate all ages curious, not judgmental • Learn about aging in other cultures