Revera Report on Ageism - Amazon S3...negative attitudes and stereotypes faced by seniors, and...
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Revera Report on Ageism
AgeIsMore.com
Foreword
Jeff Lozon, President and CEO, Revera
and Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General
of the International Federation on Ageing
About the Revera Report
Revera Report on Ageism: Key Results
• AgeisminCanada
• TwoUniqueViewsonAging
• WeNeedtoMakeaChange
Recommendations
Contents3
4
5
5
10 13
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3REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
Jeffrey C. Lozon, C.M. PresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficer Revera Inc.
Dr. Jane Barratt Secretary General International Federation on Ageing
Ageism— stereotyping or discriminating against people based on their age— is widespread and themosttoleratedformofsocialprejudiceinCanada,accordingtotheReveraReportonAgeism,producedby Revera and the International Federation on Ageing (IFA). Six-in-ten seniors 66 years of age andolder report theyhavebeen treatedunfairlyordifferentlybecauseof theirage;more thanone-thirdofCanadiansadmittoageistbehaviour;and71percentagreeolderpeoplearelessvaluedinoursocietythan youngergenerations.
We are not alone. According to 2009 data from the European Social Survey, an academically-drivensocial surveyof theattitudes,beliefsandbehaviourpatterns in28Europeancountries,46per centofrespondents report experiencing at least one formof age-relatedprejudice.As a significantworldwidesocialissue,ageismmuststandalongsidethosethathavebeenwagedfordecadesagainstgender-and race-baseddiscrimination.
There’s no question we are an aging society. In Canada, the number of people over the age of 65 isestimatedtodoubleby2036.By2051,oneinfourpeopleinCanadawillbe65yearsofageorolder.ThisseismicshiftwillbringimmensechangetothesocialandeconomiclandscapeofCanada,fromhealthcaretoproductivitytohousingandtransportation,andmore.Whatremainsunknowniswhetheroursocietypossessesthetolerance,open-mindednessandinclusivenessthatwillbevitalasthepopulationages.
Remedying the situation starts with understanding that ageism is not an old person’s problem; it’s asocietalproblemanda collective responsibility.Ageismaffectsusall, as employers, employees,policymakers, caregivers, relatives and friends of older adults — and personally, as we ourselves age. In2011, the first Baby Boomers turned 65; an active, successful, ‘take-charge’ generation that has adifferent expectation aboutwhat itmeans to get older. Boomers are unlikely to accept being treateddifferentlybecauseoftheirage. Infact,previousReveraresearchrevealedthat85percentofBoomers saytheywantadifferentagingexperiencethanthatoftheirparentsorgrandparents.
Against this backdrop, we need to challenge our assumptions of aging and recognize the valuablecontributionsofolderadultstosociety.AccordingtotheReveraReportonAgeism,olderadultsthemselvesareverypositiveabouttheirlateryears;infact,increasingagecorrelatedwithincreasingoptimismaboutagingandhappinesswithlife.It’stimetofocusoncelebratingage,notdiscriminatingagainstit.
OurgoalistodothisthroughAgeIsMore(www.AgeisMore.com),aninitiativeaimedatchallengingthenegativeattitudesandstereotypesfacedbyseniors,andcelebratingtheagelessspiritofolderpersonsinCanada.
Nowmorethanever,wehaveanopportunitytomeetthechallengeofageismhead-oninanextraordinary,positive way. This is not a challenge that can be tackled by a single organization or segment of thepopulation.Individuals,organizationsandpolicymakersallhavearoletoplay.
TheReveraReportonAgeismconcludeswithasetofrecommendations.Ourhopeisthattheybecomethestartoftheconversation.Thankyouforreading,andwewelcomeyourengagementandideas.Togetherwecanbuildanage-inclusiveCanada.
Foreword
4REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
About the Revera ReportThe Revera Report on Ageism probed Canadians aged 18-32(GenY), 33-45 (GenX), 46-65 (Boomers), 66-74 (Seniors) and75+ (Older Seniors) to findout their attitudes about aging and togaugetheirlevelofawarenessandexperiencewithageism.
Thegoalsof the researcharemultifaceted: todrawattentiontothe misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding older people;to informand advance dialogue around the issueof ageism; togive voice to the views of Canadians who embrace the positivequalities of being older; and to demonstrate that there are many ways people live their lives to the fullest at every stage of their life.
The research was completed online from August 24th toSeptember 4th, 2012 using Leger Marketing’s online panel,LegerWeb, with a sample of 1,501 Canadians. A probabilitysample of the same size would yield a margin of error of 2.5per cent, 19 times out of 20. The Revera Report on Ageism is oneinaseriesofreportsissuedbyReveraexploringdifferenttopicsrelevanttotheagingexperienceofCanadianseniors.
5REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
Revera Report on Ageism: Key ResultsAgeism in Canada Despiteanagingpopulation,ageismiswidespreadinCanada.Itisthemosttoleratedformofsocialprejudicewhencomparedtogender–orrace-baseddiscrimination.
•Six-in-ten(63%)seniors66yearsofageandoldersaytheyhavebeentreatedunfairly ordifferentlybecauseoftheirage
•One-in-three(35%)Canadiansadmittheyhavetreatedsomeonedifferentlybecause oftheirage;thisstatisticgoesashighas43%forGenXand42%forGenY
•Half(51%)ofCanadianssayageismisthemosttoleratedsocialprejudicewhencompared togender-orrace-baseddiscrimination
•Eight-in-ten(79%)Canadiansagreethatseniors75andolderareseen as less importantandaremoreoftenignoredthanyoungergenerationsinsociety
•Seven-in-ten(71%)agreethatCanadiansocietyvaluesyoungergenerationsmore than older generations
•One-in-five(21%)CanadianssayolderCanadiansareaburdenon society
Older Canadians are viewed as less important and are more often ignored than when they were younger
6REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
Ageismdoesnotdiscriminate. Itcomesinmanyformsandfrommanydifferentsources.
Which prejudice do you think is the most tolerated in Canada?
Canadian society values younger generations more than older generations
•Agediscriminationtowardsseniors66 andoldercomesprimarilyfromyounger people(56%).Morethanone-in-four (27%)seniorssaythey’veexperienced agediscriminationfromgovernment andmorethanone-third(34%)from healthcareprofessionalsandthe healthcaresystem
•Nearlynine-in-tenseniors66and olderwhoencounteredageismfromthe government,attributeittoprogramsand policiesthatdonottakeintoaccountthe needsofolderpeople
•Nearlyeight-in-tenseniors66and olderwhoreportedagediscriminationin healthcare,saidahealthcareprofessional haddismissedtheircomplaintsasan inevitablesignofaging
•Thethreemostcommonformsofage discriminationfacedbyCanadianseniors include:beingignoredortreatedas thoughtheyareinvisible(41%);being treatedliketheyhavenothingto contribute(38%);andtheassumption thattheyareincompetent(27%)
7REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
Healthcareprofessionalshavedismissedmycomplaintsasaninevitablepartofaging 78%
4%
5%
3%
3%
1%
20%
4%
Ihavebeenrefusedmedicaltreatmentbecauseofmyage
Ihavebeenunabletoaccessappropriatehomecareneededformetoliveindependently
Iwasnotacceptedasapatientbyafamilyphysician
Iwasn’tdiscriminatedagainst,Ireceivedmoreprivileges
Ihavebeenunabletoaccessappropriategovernmentfundedlongtermcare
Other
Iprefernottoanswer
Sources of age discrimination seniors 66 and older experience
Types of discrimination seniors encounter from government
Types of discrimination seniors encounter from the healthcare system
87%
36%
12%
2%
Governmentprograms/policiesdonottakeintoaccounttheneedsofpeoplemyage
Publictransportationdoesnotaccountfortheneedsofseniorsandrestrictsmymobility
Other
Iprefernottoanswer
YoungerPeople 56%
Employers
Peopleolderthanme
Government
Healthcaresystem/healthcareprofessionals
Localbusinesses
Family
Peers
Other
Idon’tknow
20%
3%
27%
34%
17%
8%
4%
5%
6%
8REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
9REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
Types of discrimination faced by Canadian seniors
I have been ignored or treated as though I am invisible
People have assumed I have nothing to contribute
People have assumed I’m incompetent
I have been treated like a child
I have been disrespected
People have assumed I have memory loss
People have assumed I am slow-witted
People have assumed I am hard of hearing
Other
I don’t know
41%
38%
27%
12%
5%
16%
8%
19%
4%
5%
10REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
Two Unique Views on Aging OlderCanadiansaremuchmorepositiveaboutagingthanyoungergenerations,underscoringtheneedtochallengeageistattitudes.
Canadians overall have a negative perception of aging.
•89percentofCanadiansassociateagingwithsomethingnegativelikenot beingabletogetaroundeasily,losingindependenceorbeingalone
•GenYandGenXarethemostlikelytoholdanegativeperceptionof aging;theyaretheleastlikelytothinkpeople75andolderarepleasant, independentorhealthy,yetthemostlikelytodescribethemasgrumpy. Afurtherone-in-threedescribethemasdependent,sickorfrail
11REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
What does aging mean to Canadians 18 years of age and older?
How do you view Canadians 75 years of age and older?
The older you get, the more optimistic you are about aging.
•Whilethemajorityofseniors66and olderareoptimisticaboutaging,the oppositeistrueofyoungergenerations, specificallyGenY’sandGenX’s
•Canadians66andolderarethemost likelytoassociateagingwithsomething positivelikehavingmoretimetodo thingstheyloveandmoretimetospend withthosetheycareabout,aswellas beingwiserandmoreself-assured
•Seniors66andolderarethemostlikely tosay“ageisjustanumber”(41%)and approximatelytwo-in-fivesay“younever stoplivinglifetothefullest”(36%)and “thebestisyettocome”(40%)
On a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is extremely pessimistic and 10 is extremely optimistic, what is your outlook on aging?
55%
45%
43%42%
42%
22%
18%
15%
10%
A physically older version of myself
Not being able to get around easily
Losing my independence and becoming dependent on others
Losing my mental capacity
Not being able to keep physically active
Financial uncertainty
Being alone
Losing my social life
Being depressed
Gen Y + Gen X Boomers and Older
% Optimistic
26% 27%
40%
52%62%
12REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
Canadians believe you never stop living life to the fullest
Canadians say age is just a number41%
22%
16%13%
Gen Y Gen X Boomers Seniors & Older Seniors
NEVER
13REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
We Need to Make a Change Changedoesn’thappeninisolation:individuals,organizationsandpolicymakersallhavearoletoplayinbuildinganage-inclusiveCanada.
According to Canadians, the top three changes suggested to combat age discrimination are:
•Investintechnologiesthatcanhelpolderpeoplelive independentlyforlonger•Raiseawarenessaboutageismsothatitisassocially unacceptableasother‘isms’,likesexismandracism•Providemoregovernmentfundingofhealthcaresolutions thataddressthespecificneedsofanagingpopulation
Investintechnologiesthatcanhelpolderpeople liveindependently,longer
Raiseawarenessaboutageismtomakeageismassociallyunacceptableasother‘isms’
Providemoregovernmentfundingofhealthcaresolutions thataddressthespecificneedsofanagingpopulation
Dispelcommonstereotypesandmisconceptionsby highlightingthecontributionsseniorsmaketosociety
Developanational,government‘SeniorsStrategy’ tobetteraddresstheneedsofouragingsociety
Makecitiesmoreage-friendly
Providebetterprotectionagainst workplace-relatedagediscrimination
Developprogramstopromoteabetter understandingofelderabuse
Encourageinnovationbybusinessestodevelopproducts andservicesthatarebettersuitedtotheolderpopulation
Other
Idon’tknow/prefernottoanswer
37%
35%
32%
30%
28%
27%
19%
19%
18%
2%
8%
14REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
RecommendationsIt’sclearthatifwedon’taddressageismasasocietalissuenow,itwillcompoundandbecomemoreentrenchedasourpopulationages.Changehowever,won’thappenovernight,anditisnottheexclusiveresponsibilityofanyonegroup.Incollaborationandconsultationwitholderpeople,individuals,organizationsandpolicymakersallhavearoletoplayinbuildinganage-inclusivesociety.
As individuals and as a society,wemustshinealightontheissueofageism.Weneedtorecognize,calloutandchallengethenegativestereotypesandassumptionsaboutagingandolderpeople.Ratherthanmakeassumptionsaboutanindividual’sabilitiesorqualityoflifebasedontheirage,weneedtobeopen-minded,viewagingwithoptimismandreachouttoolderadultsasvibrant,importantandvaluedcontributorstosociety.
Organizationsneedtoraiseawarenessofageismandbeactivecontributorstoendingit.Asemployers,thevalueandsignificantcontributionsolderworkerscananddomakeshouldnotbeoverlooked.Wealsoneedtobetterunderstandandmeetthediverseneedsofolderconsumers–afterall,theyencompassabroadagerange,andtheneedsofa65-year-oldmaybequitedifferenttothoseofan85-year-old.
Policy makers,bothgovernmentandnon-governmentalagencies,needtocollaborateandplanforanage-inclusiveCanada.Buildingontheworkthatgovernmentsarealreadydoing,thereneedstobecontinuedfocusondevelopingpoliciesthatenablepeopleofallagestohavethechoicestheyneedtolivetheir livestothefullest.
15REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
16REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM
About Revera Inc.Reveraisaleadingproviderofseniors’accommodation,careandservices;builton50-yearhistoryofhelpingseniorslivelifetothefullest.Ournearly30,000dedicatedemployeescontinuallystrivetoserveadiversegroupofclientsandtoofferchoicestomeettheirindividualpreferences.Withmorethan250sitesacrossCanadaandpartsoftheU.S.,weworktoenhancelivesinourretirementcommunities,longtermcarehomes,U.S.nursingandrehabcentresandthroughtheprovisionofhomehealthservices.Canadian-ownedandoperated,Reveraservesapproximately30,000clientseveryday,withthecorevaluesofrespect,integrity,compassionandexcellenceattheheartofourbusiness.FindoutmoreaboutReveraatwww.reveraliving.comorfinduson FacebookandTwitter.
About The International Federation on AgeingTheInternationalFederationonAgeing(IFA)isaninternational,non-governmentalorganizationandpointofglobalconnectiontoexpertsandexpertiseinthefieldofageing.Webelieveingeneratingpositivechangeforolderpeoplethroughhelpingtoshapeandinfluenceeffectiveage-relatedandseniorpoliciesandpractice.FormoreinformationabouttheIFAvisitwww.ifa-fiv.org.
For more information on Age is More, please visit www.AgeIsMore.com.
AgeIsMore.com