Discussion Requirements:
Your initial discussion post must be 2 substantive paragraphs answering the topic, with citations for your sources underneath – if you use information that is not your own – which is most of the time. A substantive paragraph is at least 6-8 sentences.
Your remaining two posts/REPLIES TO CLASSMATES should be in response to a classmates post in which you further the conversation by adding a personal anecdote, asking a question, or adding more facts from the readings to your classmate’s post. Response posts to classmates must be substantive in nature, meaning at least three sentences and not simply, “I agree.” One and two sentence replies to classmates garner 1/2 credit. “I agree” garners NO credit.

Discussion Topic:
The number and proportion of older people in the United States and many other countries are larger than ever, and elderly people are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. Feldman (2014) charged that older people as a group are subjected to prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination – a phenomenon referred to as ageism (p. 539).

Given this, recall (or interview) a person in late adulthood and ask, “What is it like to grow old in the United States of America today?” From a personal, familial, or general knowledge standpoint, recall if you have witnessed (or been a party to) a person in late adulthood being a victim of ageism.

Describe the event.

Did anyone attempt to assist the older adult?

Did the older adult need assistance at all?

What was the end result? What should have been the end result from your perspective?

Please share with us the person’s age, gender (if you choose to disclose), occupation, education level (if known), and any other characteristics you deem interesting. You are not required to specifically identify the individual.

Reply to classmate 1:
What is it like to grow old in the United States of America today? This is the question I asked my mother, who as of this year is 72 years old. Things she mentioned were her faith, freedom to enjoy and participate in an active lifestyle, friendships and building upon and sometimes, sadly, losing certain relationships through people passing on.  From my mothers point of view, she grew up a very poor farm girl, the daughter of a milk carrier and stay at home mother, in McNairy County, Tennessee. Getting older my mother has experienced what most older adults like her have experienced, from their immediate children leaving home and graduating college and pursuing careers to grandchildren being born, to the empty nest syndrome and everything in between. My mother has a tremendous gratitude for America and feels blessed to be able to grow old in this country which has provided her and her family opportunities which could only be afforded in America. As my mom will sometimes say, Life changes every second, you just have to pick how you will change with it. My mother stated that she doesn’t feel she’s ever been a victim of ageism.

Reply to classmate 2:
Q: “What is it like to grow old in the United States of America today?”

Subject: Female, 80, divorced, 2 middle aged children, retired receptionist, suffering from recent botched back surgery, lives alone in senior living community

A: Growing old in the United States of America can be and is frightening, especially when you are alone. Im always wondering if politicians will try to take away Medicaid and Medicare.

I think what if my social security wont cover housing. I dont have any other retirement money.

Looking back, I regret not getting an education pass high school. But school was always difficult for me, learning that is. So being qualified for jobs, when I was still working, were limited to traditional careers like secretaries or something.

Im afraid my children will have other interest and Ill be alone.

Im afraid someone will come through my patio doors (she lives on the 4th floor of an apartment building).

Im afraid of catching COVID 19, so many older people are dying.

From a personal, familial, or general knowledge standpoint, recall if you have witnessed (or been a party to) a person in late adulthood being a victim of ageism.

I have witnessed a person in late adulthood being victimized with ageism. One time happened to an elderly lady with groceries walking home in a neighborhood I once lived. Some boys from the hood decided to harass and rob her along the way.

Some friends and I were not going to allow it. We strategically surrounded the incident before merging in on the group of misbehaving boys. The older lady was clearly in distress and out numbered by the group. My friends and I intervened defusing the situation before any harm came to the lady.

The boys went on about their business. We were clear in sending a message that if they or anyone else were to bring harm to her or any other neighborhood elder there would be price to pay.

The elderly lady was extremely thankful. But truth is it doesnt always end like that.