Ageism 

Ms. S. Orlene Grant, Founder and President of the Juanita C. Grant Foundation gave a presentation on “Ageism” at the semi-annual Senior Services All Staff Training for Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission . The day long event was held at Laurel/Beltsville Senior Activity Center, Laurel Maryland. Ms. Grant presented the historical naming of Ageism in 1969 by gerontologist Dr. Robert N. Butler. Today the word has become to embody age-based discrimination, whether it involves prejudice against children, teenagers, adults or senior citizens. Some of the behavior exhibited by younger people include success-“you had your turn; consumption-when there is limited resources, they should go to younger people and identity-“Act your age”, Don’t try to “steal” a younger identity in dress or speech patterns. Ms. Grant reviewed suggestions for combating ageism and maintaining the power one has from life and work experience:

• See the person and not the age
• Engage with people 20 years older and younger
• Don’t retire-rewire
• Check your language-avoid “when I was in my prime” statements
• Own your age as an achievement
• Start financial planning early
• Be an advocate
• Wellness regimen
• Find your Passion and live the life that brings you joy
• Challenge negative images of aging

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation (JCGF) continues its advocacy work on combating ageism by convening Roundtables on Aging, conducting direct research through focus groups held in collaboration with Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation and the Memorial Library System. JCGF is planning the next Roundtable on Aging on May 16, 2019 at the Laurel/Beltsville Senior Activity Center. The topic will be “What Infrastructure is needed to create a Certified Aging Friendly Community in Prince George’s County. A 2020 Spring Conference is in the planning stage entitled “A Multigenerational Conversation on Ageism”.