By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd.
One of the most pervasive stereotypes in our society today is How We Think About Older Adults.
Getting up there in years seems to automatically equate to physical and mental deterioration, frailty and impairment.
We hold “Over the Hill” parties for people as young as 30, an age that is nearly 50 years younger than the average life expectancy in the United States.
The message that we so often see and hear in our youth-dominated culture is “Don’t Get Old.”
Back in the late 1960s, a gerontologist by the name of Dr. Robert Butler coined the term “Ageism” to describe discrimination against the elderly. Dr. Butler was the one whom founded the first Department of Geriatrics at a medical school in the United States. It was at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. He also was a founding director of the National Institute on Aging.
He served as “a moral voice who insisted that society value our elders,” noted in an article in the Los Angeles Times on July 10, 2010.
As part of the effort to help combat “Ageism” in our society, the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) sponsored an international short-film contest. For those not familiar, ALFA is a professional association dedicated to providing choice, dignity and independence for older adults.
The film that took first place in the contest was created by Jon Byron, a 26-year old film student who was looking at developing a short-film as a tribute to his relationship with his grandfather.
I was in attendance at the premier showing of “Mind the Gap” last week at ALFAs 2011 Conference.
The words that Richard Grimes, President and CEO of ALFA, uses to describe the film sum it up so well. “In less than three minutes, “Mind the Gap” shows how misunderstandings between generations can lay the foundation for stereotypes about seniors.”
We invite you to watch and let us know your opinions.
All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
