National Age Without Apology Month: embracing our future
June is National Age Without Apology Month, giving us the opportunity to celebrate ageing and challenge the negative biases associated with it. It’s a time for accepting the past years of your life, whilst embracing the years for the future.
But that’s not always been an easy thing to do. In fact, some stereotypes and preconceived notions of ageing make people believe that getting older is something to fear. We’re sold “anti-ageing” products, and we buy mildly offensive birthday cards for our older loved ones. And even if this feels harmless at the time, overall, it contributes to a wider discrimination against older people.
As a society, we may not be able to fully reverse these stereotypes, but it’s good to know how to how to combat them on an individual level.
Is ageing a bad thing?
Not at all. The idea that ageing is bad has been driven by cultural and societal shifts, with many people idealising youth. This has also been fuelled by economic concerns, with a perceived impact of age on health and productivity. We’ve come to associate ageing with decline and frailty, leaving little room for the benefits of getting older.
Yes, ageing signifies the ending of life, but that doesn’t mean we should fear it. Ageing also shows a life well-lived, a life filled with memories and experiences. It shows longevity and a life of triumphs, challenges and personal growth, so it’s something we should be proud of.
What can we do to challenge these stereotypes?
It’s up to us to reframe this narrative, and view ageing as something that is easier to confront. One way we can do this is by championing inclusivity, ensuring older people feel valued and still included amongst younger generations. In fear of ageing, younger people can struggle to identify with older people, further creating this divide and a sense of isolation. When we embrace the process of getting older, and recognise it is a process we will all experience, we can have stronger connections with our older loved ones.
These personal moments are so important, and letting older people share stories and tales of wisdom can help change people’s perception of ageing. Intergenerational relationships is something we’re deeply passionate about, and we always welcome younger visitors to visit Birchwood and learn something new from the older generations.
What do our residents have to say?
Our residents are proof of people who are proud of their ageing. Throughout Birchwood House, they laugh and celebrate life together, ensuring a true home-from-home.
Shirley, for example, has said her favourite part of getting older is ‘being cheeky’, with Margret agreeing ‘you can be as silly as you like’. And we think this is the perfect way to put it! There’s a certain freedom that comes with ageing, as we often care less about societal expectations, and lean into our self-expression. There’s a certain authenticity that comes with age, and it’s something we should all look forward to achieving.
This again ties into the societal misconceptions about ageing, with our resident Eve saying, ‘people think we cannot live our best life just because we are old’. This way of thinking is harmful, and no one should be made to feel that their options are limited just because of their age. Dizzy agrees with this, saying ‘people think you can’t do things, but with a sharp mind, you can do anything’. It’s so nice to hear positive perceptions of ageing and thank you to our residents for sharing such inspiring views!
At Birchwood House, we always work to challenge negative stereotypes on older people, ensuring our residents feel valued. We use the highest quality care to promote their independence and wellbeing. To find out more, please get in touch.
