Public Perceptions of Older People A literature review

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Happiness in older life may be perceived to be determined by health and physical appearance as smiles in pictures of older people were significantly less likely to be included in pictures that also contained ‘physical aids’ or ‘baldness’ (Barrett & Cantwell 2007). Palmore (1999) asserted that stereotypes of older people as sickly, weak and incompetent lead many people to believe that older people must therefore be unhappy. A commonly held stereotype is that older people are isolated from their communities and have diminished interaction with the outside world (Denmark 2002). Arnold-Cathalifaud et al. (2008) reported that in terms of social integration, over half of respondents viewed senior citizens as marginalised, and this was perceived to be particularly true in the case of elderly men. Sketches of older people were examined and it was found that older people were drawn physically smaller than younger people were depicted (Falchikov 1990). It has been suggested that such findings provide further evidence of the marginalized status of older people (Barrett & Cantwell 2007). However, exceptions to these negative perceptions regarding social integration and socializing have been observed. Musaiger and D’Souza (2009) reported that a high percentage (83%) of people aged between 30 and 39 years responded positively in relation to older people maintaining social relations and participating in social activities. Moreover, older people have been considered to be more affluent and to wield increasing political power (Palmore 1999). Although some studies may indicate that older people are stereotyped as generally happy, the process of ageing and old age are frequently perceived as unhappy stages in life marked by isolation, marginalisation and depression. However, the majority of older people live capable and independent, active lifestyles. Furthermore, a recent survey of older people also identified that the experience of loneliness was not in fact a major issues in the lives of the majority of older people (Drennan et al. 2008). 7.5.1.7 Disrespected and undervalued A recent report entitled Discrimination in the European Union: Perceptions, Experiences and Attitudes (European Commission 2008) reported that just under half of Europeans believe that age discrimination is an extensive problem. In Ireland, a report by the National Council on Ageing and Older People (NCAOP 2005a) revealed that Ireland is not perceived as an age 20
friendly society. As one ages, less respect is received from the public who do not recognise the contribution that many older adults are able to make to society (NCAOP 2005a). These findings are consistent with other studies, which have examined the position older people hold in society. For example, in the US, Cuddy et al. (2005) reported that older people were rated as having lower status than other societal groups. Furthermore, research by Arnold-Cathalifaud et al. (2008) reported that approximately half of a sample of young people viewed older people as passive rather than active citizens, suggesting that older people are not perceived as socially valued citizens in society. 7.5.2 Summary This section examined the common stereotypes held of older people and ageing. A review of the literature suggests that older people are predominantly negatively perceived. Namely, older people are stereotyped as having poor health, as being unattractive, asexual and with a declining mental ability. Older people are also perceived as being conservative as well as being unhappy, lonely, isolated and overall undervalued by society. However evidence does exist to suggest that older people are perceived as being warm, dependable, content and active members of their communities. 7.6 Factors that influence public perceptions of older people and ageing Numerous factors influence public perceptions of older people and ageing. This section examines the following factors: gender, age, knowledge and understanding, level of contact with older people, societal and cultural influences, modernisation and industrialisation, and the media. 7.6.1 Gender 7.6.1.1 Gender of the perceiver A person’s gender may influence how they perceive an older person. On average, men exhibit less favourable attitudes towards older people and fewer positive ageist behaviours than women (Bernardini Zambrini et al. 2008; Bodner & Lazar 2008; Cherry & Palmore 2008; Allan & Johnson 2009). However, not all studies support these findings (Arnold-Cathalifaud et al. 21
Page 1 and 2: Review 1, November 2009 Public Perc
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Page 5 and 6: Executive summary As people live lo
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Page 27 and 28: should be aimed at young adolescent
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Page 35 and 36: may modify their behaviour based on
Page 37 and 38: Taylor 2005). Such negative stereot
Page 39 and 40: Negative stereotyping and prejudici
Page 41 and 42: services, mistreated or misdiagnose
Page 43 and 44: however care of the older person is
Page 45 and 46: 7.7.6 Elder abuse and neglect Ageis
Page 47 and 48: 7.7.7 Summary This third section ex
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Page 51 and 52: References Ajala, A.S. (2006) The c
Page 53 and 54: Bittman, M., Flick, M. & Rice, J. (
Page 55 and 56: Donlon, M.M., Ashman, O. & Levy, B.
Page 57 and 58: Gringart, E., Helmes, E. & Speelman
Page 59 and 60: Kogan, N. (1961) Attitudes toward o
Page 61 and 62: National Council on Ageing and Olde
Page 63 and 64: cross-cultural comparison. Howard J
Page 65 and 66: http://www.un.org/esa/population/pu
Page 67 and 68: Appendix 1: Glossary of terms Perce

Public Perceptions of Older People A literature review

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