Introduction

Ageism is a subtly woven into our everyday language, expectations, and professional practices. Despite this normalization, the consequences are easy to overlook, especially for older adults who rely on outside sources for assistance. The readings discussed prompted me to reflect on how ageism has influenced my own perceptions of aging and the responsibility I have as a future Social Worker to bring social change instead of accepting that it is inevitable.

Agism’s Impact on Me

Aronson emphasizes that ageism is learned early on and regularly reinforced. From jokes about “senior moments” to assumptions that older adults are resistant to change, ageism operates through everyday language and expectations (Aronson, 2019). What stood out to me was her story about Yolanda. This example had a profound impact on me because I had the opportunity to shadow a Social Worker into people’s homes and I got a glimpse of this scenario in real life. There is a difference between seeing clients in their homes because you get a real visual on how things are going. If a client does not have a bathroom or commode near them, then an intervention should be in place. If family cannot be an adequate caregiver, then they should hire a professional. If there is no way for the loved one to make their own meals, there should be food delivery in place. This story reminded me about how I would want to advocate for my clients going through unnecessary hardships. It also teaches me that difficult conversations cannot be ignored. As a professional, we need to know who is on our side and who might sabotage, because this is a matter of life and death in regard to a client that needs 24-hour care.

Agism Stereotypes

Ageism is often described as prejudice against older adults, but this definition understates how deeply it influences our social lives. Some stereotypes mentioned by Cruickshank were that older people are incompetent, selfish, and a threat to the economic security of others. Both older women and men in general are seen as being poor, sick or disabled, and needing help. She further specifies the stereotypes that older women are accused of, like not being cheerful equals being bitter and mean and that this is encouraged in fairy tales (Cruickshank, 2013). Dovey’s essay emphasizes these exact points with examples from Juliet Stevenson, who is an actress in her late 50’s and how as she gets older, her roles become simpler. Stevenson also noted that there were typically only two roles, a sweet older lady or a mean old woman (Dovey, 2015). Although Dovey’s example offers a “good” option, it actually is not because of having to play a role of the stereotypical granny. Older people are more complex than the two sides that society tries to force on them.

Internalized Ageism and Self-Silencing

On the topic of internalized ageism, Cruikshank explains how older adults may take cultural messages about decline and dependency personal, leading them to lower expectations for themselves or avoid advocating for their needs (Cruikshank, 2013). This internalization is subtle but powerful in creating self-doubt. Aronson provides examples of older patients who hesitate to pursue treatment or speak up because they believe their suffering is normal for their age (Aronson, 2019, pg. 138). Similarly, Dovey describes how even those who fear aging may unconsciously adopt ageist beliefs, shaping how they imagine their future selves (Dovey, 2015, para. 8). These examples made me reflect on how ageism operates internally, just as much as externally, influencing decisions long before healthcare systems are utilized.

The Language of Agism

The language towards aging plays a leading role in reinforcing ageism across all three texts. Cruikshank critiques “elderspeak,” which frames older adults as childlike under the guise of kindness (Cruikshank, 2013). This kind of language toward older people is very patronizing because people assume they are incapable of understanding what is being said without accurately assessing if it is true or not. Aronson examines clinical language that reduces people to diagnoses or failures, subtly stripping away agency. Examples of this include silver tsunami, exceptional senior, and successful aging (Aronson, 2019). These words show how we actually see aging as a society. “Silver tsunami” is a metaphor for how older people are seen as overtaking society, “exceptional senior” and “successful aging” are verbiage to put apart the older adults who may not be affected by the illnesses that come from getting older. All of these sayings are still putting down older adults even if it is expressed in a catchy way. Dovey highlights how “language in literature does not reflect a social world, but instead, is part of and complicit in shaping that social world” (Dovey, 2025, para. 38). All of these examples prove that the language we use emphasizes negative ideas about agism. Having this awareness is also the first step in fighting back against it.

Reflection and Practice Implications

Reading these chapters together made me more aware of how deeply rooted ageism is woven into our society. I had always known that the elderly were one of the most neglected populations, but I did not know how specific this truth was. Knowing this made me uncomfortable, but in a productive way. I realized that combating ageism in Social Work practice requires active resistance to assumptions and more willingness to consider alternative interventions. I cannot understand how people choose to neglect any demographic, especially vulnerable ones, and I already know it is difficult for me to remove my bias toward perpetrators of violence. There is an abundance of examples of neglect in all three of these readings and the most frustrating ones to me are about the older adults who are discriminated for other reasons on top of their age.  I hope to learn to pause and use discernment instead of showing my reaction immediately. Having restraint will be useful in working with older adults and their families because it keeps me in control of the situation. The more I am able to utilize my self-control, the more professional and trustworthy I will look to clients and their families. Despite how severe information is, it is always more professional to be calm, cool, and collected. I am currently working to sharpen this skill as well.

Conclusion

Evaluated together, Cruikshank, Aronson, and Dovey collectively show that ageism is a real consequence for older adult’s quality of life that is taught through language and reinforced through larger systems. From harmful stereotypes and patronizing language to internalizing self-doubt, agism is observed at multiple levels. The three readings challenged me to think more critically about my role as an advocate and to recognize when effective practice will require me to think more personably than professionally. Using the self-awareness that I was able to unpack, I will approach my work with more thoughtful advocacy that can make a meaningful difference in protecting older adults from being overlooked or dismissed.

Reference

Aronson, L. (2019). Elderhood: Redefining aging, transforming medicine, reimagining life. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Cruikshank, M. (2013). Learning to be old: Gender, culture, and aging (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

Dovey, C. (2015). What old age is really like. The New Yorker.