Chin up, or you’ll age even faster
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As I approach 57, the physical toll of aging is becoming more noticeable. While I won’t dwell on the specifics, it’s clear that none of these changes are enjoyable.
I’m also beginning to sense a more subtle effect of aging: ageism. Although no one has directly insulted me, I am picking up on signs that younger individuals may see me as outdated or irrelevant. Evidence suggests this perception may worsen. In the U.S., a study of 1915 individuals aged 50 to 80 revealed that nearly all had faced some form of age discrimination. Two-thirds had often encountered ageist stereotypes through jokes or media, while about half experienced ageism in personal interactions, such as assumptions about their hearing abilities, tech skills, or memory. As people age, these prejudices become more frequent.
Notably, more than 80 percent of the study’s participants experienced “internalised ageism,” harboring negative expectations about their own health as they age. This self-directed ageism is deeply ingrained in Western societies, with only 6.5 percent of the study’s participants reporting no experience of any form of ageism, likely those on the younger side of the spectrum.
All forms of ageism are concerning, but internalised ageism is particularly troubling. Recent findings indicate that this mindset can actually accelerate aging. Becca Levy from Yale School of Public Health notes extensive research demonstrating that negative beliefs about aging correlate with poorer aging outcomes.
For instance, a Harvard University study showed that seniors with positive attitudes toward aging experienced slower declines in physical, mental, and cognitive health, maintained healthier diets, and exercised more compared to those with negative views—an example of internalised ageism’s impact. It wasn’t that those who aged poorly were more negative; rather, initial attitudes predicted future health trajectories. The core message is that negative attitudes towards aging can hasten the aging process.
Levy also found that individuals over 65 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are more likely to recover if they maintain a positive perspective on aging. While it was previously known that about half of those with MCI improve, Levy discovered that most who do are comfortable with aging.
The repercussions of these negative attitudes are profound on both personal and societal levels. Levy’s team recently published a model estimating that among Americans aged 60 or over, ageism contributes to 3.2 million additional cases of the eight most costly age-related diseases each year, incurring expenses of $11.1 billion.
The takeaway is clear: internalised ageism represents a substantial and under-recognized health issue that significantly impacts individuals and healthcare systems. Levy describes it as a public health crisis.
Where ageism starts
Internalised ageism isn’t solely an internal phenomenon. The three types of ageism reinforce each other. When older individuals encounter any form of ageism—whether in personal interactions, media, advertising, or healthcare—they tend to internalise it.
This relentless barrage of negative stereotypes is known as institutional ageism. Similar to institutional racism, it is widespread in many cultures but often goes unnoticed. According to the World Health Organization’s report on ageism: “Often people fail to recognize the existence of such institutional ageism because the rules, norms and practices of the institution are long-standing, have become ritualized and are seen as normal.”
Insitutional ageism can seep into interactions at work
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It’s important to emphasize that ageism is a self-defeating prejudice. Everyone ages daily, and many will reach old age. A young person who harbors ageist views will eventually face the very ageism they perpetuated.
A potential solution, albeit partial, exists. In 2014, Levy and her team demonstrated that attitudes towards aging can be improved through subliminal messaging focused on the positive aspects of aging. However, implementing this on a large scale would be a monumental task.
The long-standing struggle against institutional racism illustrates that overcoming deep-rooted biases takes decades and can face setbacks. I may not witness the end of institutional ageism, but I refuse to let it dishearten me. Instead, I plan to embrace my aging journey with humor.
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