1.Reading these chapters, the discussion of death being the completion of life impacted me. This stood out to me because I agree that our medical system is not set up and prepared for the end stage of life. For instance, in Aronson, the author talks about doctors often resisting natural death. Furthermore, treatment centers, hospitals, and extensive care options usually fights death. They may push treatments, surgeries, and more extensive care versus guiding patients through the natural death process. As social workers, this taught me to emphasize this issue at macro level. Our systems are set up to prevent and treat death, instead of acceptance and comfort. Older adults are subjected to harsh medical treatments, to “cure” their issues. At a systemic level, reform is needed, for society to understand the complexities of aging.

2.In Cruikshank, the author states, ” A study of ageist and sexist stereotypes in Disney movies found older women depicted as ugly, evil, and power hungry…” This example reflects on stereotypes that are often aligned with older individuals. Society tends to characterize aging individuals with terms such as “old sweet lady” or “grumpy old man.” In Dovey, the author states, ” in other words, I modelled my characters on the two dominant cultural constructions of old age: the doddering, depressed pensioner and the ageless-in-spirit, quirky oddball.” Similarly, both artist touches on the stereotypes of older individuals. Society views this community only through a lens based on adjectives describing them. There isn’t any consideration of anything else of the individual other than their “old” status. 

3. An example of internalized ageism in Aronson can be her feelings of her appearance and what that means. She states, ” I also worried that I would appear older than what I was and somehow less professional.” (Aronson, 2019) This example shows the internalized feelings of appearance, which stems from society’s beliefs of the unattractiveness of aged women. In Dovey, the author states, ” started to realize that, in creating my spunky elderly female character, I had romanticized the version of old age that tells a story of progress, indulging a fantasy of who I might be when I’m old.” This example reflects about the authors own internalized beliefs due to society’s expectations, either being positive or negative of what an old person should be. Before reaching an older age, the author had already constructed a future version of them aging in alliance to society’s expectations. 

4. These are the terms/phrases that were used by each author. In comparison, I have witnessed the language in a hospice setting. When patients are stating feelings of pain and discomfort, we often listen to their concerns with not much focus on their actual psychical need. Often, we associate these feelings with being old. Furthermore, I have experienced the language used in Cruikshank in my family dynamics. Often the older women are labeled as “sweet, grumpy, mean.” This language is often given to them, simply because of their aging.

Cruikshank – “Sweet old lady, frail, declining”

Aronson -” just a mind, rather than a body”

Dovey- “spunky, terrifying”

5. Initially, I took this class as a required elective. My feelings of this class were to just learn about older individuals. However, I have more interest in this class than others, especially with it aligning with my internship. What I find most difficulty overall in the readings in the systemic issue that we have for aging individuals. I was blind to the biases, injustice, and ways of society towards the aging community. There is so much to unpack and fix in relation to care, stereotypes, policies, and more. Overall, as social workers, we can advocate at each level, micro, mezzo, and macro. With so many challenges and barriers that this community has, there is not enough attention on these issues. In addition, to recognizing these issues at each level, advocacy would be essential as a social worker to this vulnerable population. Personally, to combat these issues dealing with aged individuals, I can be aware of my own biases and beliefs that I have adopted through society’s lens. Shamefully, I have grouped older individuals in the same category and boxed. For instance, I have only seen their feelings and emotions only relating to their age. Rightfully so, I can treat each patient, family member, and even those in society as a human, unique to their own character. Concluding, in this course what shocked me and is still difficult to grasp is the society’s actions and beliefs towards the aging population. It is my responsibility to challenge the way that we think and advocate for reform of this community.