OLDS — The Olds Age Friendly Committee is participating in You Know Me: Ending Ageism, a campaign to raise awareness about ageism.
Ageism is stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination directed toward people based on their age.
It can happen at the individual level through unconscious bias, and on a higher level through the lack of programs and policies that address the needs of seniors.
The campaign’s goal is to create awareness about aging to improve relationships and inclusivity within the community.
“Unlike other prejudices such as racism and sexism, ageism targets our future selves. Ask yourself, ‘How do you want to live out the end of your days,’” says Olds Age-Friendly Committee spokesman Rita Thompson.
“Usually, the answer includes being in a place surrounded by people who care.”
Negative thoughts about getting older can impact health, which can lead to:
● Shortening your lifespan by 7.5 years
● Higher cardiovascular stress
● Less self-care
● Lower productivity.
The Rural Development Network (RDN) is also partnering in the effort to end ageism.
“Working on this campaign has been extremely rewarding to see beautiful images of community members and their comments on aging,” says Cassandra Rasko, program manager for the Rural Health & Wellness Initiative at RDN.
Businesses are encouraged to take the pledge to take part in the movement to end ageism in Olds.
By taking the pledge, businesses receive resources on how to create a more age-inclusive workplace as well as a sticker decal they can place at their storefront to showcase their commitment to an age-inclusive space for all.
Business owners will receive resources on recognizing signs of age discrimination at work.
These resources highlight the positive attributes of older workers and help the community identify other ways to engage with older people.
By participating in the You Know Me: Ending Ageism campaign, local businesses can demonstrate their willingness to go the extra mile to support local seniors.
For more information, to register your business and more, visit https://www.youknowme.ca/.
You Know Me: Ending Ageism is funded by the government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
