A widespread stereotype about older adulthood is that older people are similar. This is undoubtedly wrong, old age is heterogeneous and diverse, but the consequences as homogeneous and generally negative determine the ways in which we relate to the elderly and, with it, the type of policies aimed at this group that are implemented.
Other homogenizing stereotypes set up the idea that age is an impediment to projects, yearnings and dreams. Phrases like "I’m not old enough to do that,” “I’m not old enough to wear that” or “at my age that looks ridiculous” are the internalized expression of such stereotypes that manage to reduce the space of movement and personal fulfillment.
As more people move into adulthood and stay at that stage for longer, we become aware that these stereotypes, in addition to being liars, end up being ways to limit our lives, marginalize ourselves from different social spaces, and mistreat us. In this sense, it is essential to develop new personal knowledge, to reveal the multiplicity of experiences that are experienced at this stage and to advocate for a cultural change that does not reproduce misleading images with impunity. Likewise, the support of gerontology, the sciences, should be promoted to a comprehensive understanding of old age that does not space into ignorance on which these ageist ideas are based.
Old age, as a social phenomenon, is recent. And, despite the numbers, it tends to be invisibilized. Family roles, specifically that of grandfather and grandmother, seem to be the only ones that society allows the elderly. This reductionism makes invisible that older people are also sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and friends, with multiple facets. In turn, when we link old age only to retirement and retirement, we limit the roles of social participation that will become more common due to the increase in life expectancy after age 65. But, moreover, when older people represent more than 25% of the population, it will be absurd that society does not benefit from the multiple roles these people will adopt.
All of the above is accompanied by a constant process of infantilization. While it is a reality that, at an older age, health complications that lead to loss of autonomy and dependence become more frequent, older people are not boys or girls. They cannot be treated as such, even in cases where an interdiction has been declared by justice. Unfortunately, not only do we think that older people are just grandparents or grandmothers, but we also treat them as children, a treatment that damages personal identity, autonomy, self-esteem and can even lead to loss of functionality.
When feminist, LGBTIQ+ liberation and anti-racist struggles were just beginning, their work was almost unspeakable. Age discrimination must be visible, not only by the elderly, but by society as a whole. This pandemic has shown that these forms of discrimination have serious consequences for all. It has been possible to observe that older people are in a situation of greater vulnerability, so there are no longer any excuses for geriatric health not being addressed in depth within our health system. It should consider the ethical, welfare and even philosophical dimensions that are associated with the care of the elderly, respecting their autonomy and identity.
It is not possible for older people to perceive that their lives will not be prioritized by health and social protection services, or that speeches that assign different value to the death of a young person or older person cannot be so easily accepted that they are violated rights, as with the prohibition on the circular of over 75 , age measures should be reviewed in particular those that discriminate in search of protection.
The irrevocably united health and social sectors must learn from experience and rethink their policies aimed at the eldest population based on the positive and negative experiences of this crisis. It will be key to question ourselves and ask the precise questions that trigger beneficial changes for society as a whole, based on a full guarantee of the rights of the elderly.
The effects of the pandemic will not end up being revealed andn many years, we must be vigilant and attentive and mobilize, in each of our spaces, to promote new policies, services and supports for the eldest population with the eldest population.
The content poured into this opinion column is the sole responsibility of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the editorial line or position of El Mostrador.
