Staying healthy and feeling your best is important at any age. Every day, every one of us continues to age as a natural physiological response and not to mention those other non-physical related areas experiences, knowledge, and respect. However, often times it differs for those who are identified as being too old or too young where people are increasingly being categorized as incapable or incompetent which is also known as ageism.

The World Health Organization defines ageism as the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination towards people based on age. Common adverse themes of ageism that older adults face in society, especially in the workforce is being incapable of using technology or being overlooked for employment. In the 2020-2024 Sourcewise Area Plan on Aging, in a national survey conducted by the AARP in 2018, 61-percent of older adults said they had seen or experienced age-related discrimination in the workplace.

In a 2017 study reported in an article written by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the callback rate for interviews was uniformly lower for older applicants regarding specific job positions and specific genders. Older (64 to 66 years of age) female applicants had a 47-percent lower callback rate than young (29 to 31 years of age), female applicants, for administrative assistant jobs.

In August 2020, the California Department of Aging launched the California for All Ages digital campaign to address ageism and promote equity in aging. The intention of this campaign is to raise awareness on ageism and educate the community on what ageism is, how to address ageism, and identify inequities in aging. Together we can combat ageism so that no one in our community misses out on opportunities merely because of their age.

To learn more about ageism and to find resources that will help you to be a part of the solution to ageism, view the video recording on the California for All Ages virtual town hall via YouTube.