"Ageism"...a term coined in 1968 by Dr. Robert Butler, then director of the National Institute on Aging, as discrimination against older persons on the basis of age. Shortly after--in 1970--activist Maggie kuhn helped found the Gray Panthers, an advocacy group formed to speak out against age discrimination in our country. Claiming that "old people constitute America's biggest untapped and undervalued human energy resource," Maggie Kuhn is credited with the passage of many laws prohibiting forced retirement as well as raising many issues of justice and fairness for older Americans.

Regrettably, today ageism is alive and well in our society, with its destructive impact still seen through discrimination in the workplace, bias in the health care system, and social prejudice. Erroneous characterizations of the old as sick, powerless, mentally deficient, and somehow "less than" younger people have further contributed to prejudice and unfair treatment of older adults.

Examples of ageism are all around us - from portrayals of rocking chair grannies in children's books, to stereotypic and degrading images of aging in birthday cards, to cosmetics claiming to hide wrinkles. There are actions that each of us can take, however, to acknowledge and combat ageism. Here are just a few examples:

• Stop lying about your age.
• Let your hair be its natural color.
• Write to your local news media when a headline is ageist.
• Challenge stereotypes about aging.
• Talk to your grandchildren about aging.
• Refuse to buy derogatory birthday cards.
• Be aware of language that stereotypes people.
• Educate others.
• Voice your objections.
• Don't confuse illness with older age.
• Don't tell jokes that make fun of growing old.
• Don't patronize people who are old.
• Stop complimenting people on how young they look.

"When I get older losing my hair, many years from now.
Will you still be sending me a Valentine, birthday greetings,
bottle of wine.
If I'd been out till quarter to three, would you lock the door.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me.
When I'm sixty four." 

"When I'm Sixty-Four", Beetles

Visit the sites below to learn more about ageism, one of the most pervasive prejudices across society today.

• Gray Panthers
• International Longevity Center
• Administration on Aging
• "Overcoming Ageism Through Children's Literature" Article written by Barbara N. Kupetz at Parenting Information.Org.
• National Academy on an Aging Society. Links to selected online resources.