I need help with a response for this post:

• Post an article, video, or visual to reinforce a peer's idea or challenge them to see their point from a different perspective.
• Engage in conversation with your peers around the topic of gerontology.

Hi all,

According to Dr. Rebecca Levy, referenced in the article, how do aging self-stereotypes form?

Dr. Levy posits that stereotypes about aging form in childhood, and are reinforced through adulthood (Parker, 2016). Looking back on what we've learned, it could be said that we form a schema about what aging means while we are young, and it can take a lot to alter a schema once it is established. I know when I think of what it means to be an older lady, I think of my grandmother, playing bingo and crocheting but also suffering from poor health, and I worry that aging will be the same for me.

What are some steps that we can take to eradicate the cycle of these stereotypes?

Parker's article (2016) states, "interpersonal contact deconstructs stereotypes assigned to outgroups." What we can do personally is to interact with older individuals and develop relationships. Familiarity breeds understanding, and understanding helps us change our pre-conceived notions that lead to self-stereotypes. We can accomplish this by opening our social circles to older generations, volunteering in nursing homes or with social services geared towards older adults, and developing a bond with our older relatives. I am an avid crocheter, and in participating in crochet groups I meet people of all ages. Sometimes my stereotypes are challenged, and sometimes theirs are as well.

Employment opportunities in the field of gerontology are growing exponentially. What are some strategies to draw professionals into this expanding, high-demand field?

Training is absolutely necessary to bring clinicians into the gerontology field. We need more residency spots for medical doctors, more training in school for social workers and psychologists. Nobody wants to work in a field for which they do not feel adequately supported and prepared. The healthcare industry as a whole needs to develop a focus on preparing caregivers for this role.

What are some ways to retool for an aging America in terms of career opportunities and services?

As above, the healthcare industry needs to get ahead of the issue by making sure the training is available to prepare future clinicians to provide the support that older Americans will need. Older people will need access to housing and transportation, which means that we need to prepare for more affordable senior housing, which in turn will require employees of all levels - medical, social, direct care, and operations. (LeadingAge, n.d.) Schools need to create career pathways for these roles and we need to have the funding available to make these jobs desirable.

How does the concept of aging stereotypes apply to any of the following programmatic themes?

We can look at career connections here. As the elder population grows, they need services unique to their situation. In the next few years, many opportunities will become available for those who wish to work in this area. As long as schools and residencies can meet the need, this is a viable career path for anyone interested.

Kasey

References:

BLUEPRINT FOR A BETTER AGING INFRASTRUCTURE. (n.d.). LeadingAge.org.https://leadingage.org/wp-content/uploads/drupal/LeadingAge_Blueprint%20Aging%20Infrastructure.pdf

Parker, C. P., PHD (2016, July 13).Wise Up: Study Aging. Https://www.Psychologytoday.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023, fromhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/engaging/201607/wise-study-aging