Revera Report on Ageism

AgeIsMore.com

Foreword

Jeff Lozon, President and CEO, Revera

and Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General

of the International Federation on Ageing

About the Revera Report

Revera Report on Ageism: Key Results

• AgeisminCanada

• TwoUniqueViewsonAging

• WeNeedtoMakeaChange

Recommendations

Contents3

4

5

5

10 13

14

3REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

Jeffrey C. Lozon, C.M. PresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficer Revera Inc.

Dr. Jane Barratt Secretary General International Federation on Ageing

Ageism— stereotyping or discriminating against people based on their age— is widespread and themosttoleratedformofsocialprejudiceinCanada,accordingtotheReveraReportonAgeism,producedby Revera and the International Federation on Ageing (IFA). Six-in-ten seniors 66 years of age andolder report theyhavebeen treatedunfairlyordifferentlybecauseof theirage;more thanone-thirdofCanadiansadmittoageistbehaviour;and71percentagreeolderpeoplearelessvaluedinoursocietythan youngergenerations.

We are not alone. According to 2009 data from the European Social Survey, an academically-drivensocial surveyof theattitudes,beliefsandbehaviourpatterns in28Europeancountries,46per centofrespondents report experiencing at least one formof age-relatedprejudice.As a significantworldwidesocialissue,ageismmuststandalongsidethosethathavebeenwagedfordecadesagainstgender-and race-baseddiscrimination.

There’s no question we are an aging society. In Canada, the number of people over the age of 65 isestimatedtodoubleby2036.By2051,oneinfourpeopleinCanadawillbe65yearsofageorolder.ThisseismicshiftwillbringimmensechangetothesocialandeconomiclandscapeofCanada,fromhealthcaretoproductivitytohousingandtransportation,andmore.Whatremainsunknowniswhetheroursocietypossessesthetolerance,open-mindednessandinclusivenessthatwillbevitalasthepopulationages.

Remedying the situation starts with understanding that ageism is not an old person’s problem; it’s asocietalproblemanda collective responsibility.Ageismaffectsusall, as employers, employees,policymakers, caregivers, relatives and friends of older adults — and personally, as we ourselves age. In2011, the first Baby Boomers turned 65; an active, successful, ‘take-charge’ generation that has adifferent expectation aboutwhat itmeans to get older. Boomers are unlikely to accept being treateddifferentlybecauseoftheirage. Infact,previousReveraresearchrevealedthat85percentofBoomers saytheywantadifferentagingexperiencethanthatoftheirparentsorgrandparents.

Against this backdrop, we need to challenge our assumptions of aging and recognize the valuablecontributionsofolderadultstosociety.AccordingtotheReveraReportonAgeism,olderadultsthemselvesareverypositiveabouttheirlateryears;infact,increasingagecorrelatedwithincreasingoptimismaboutagingandhappinesswithlife.It’stimetofocusoncelebratingage,notdiscriminatingagainstit.

OurgoalistodothisthroughAgeIsMore(www.AgeisMore.com),aninitiativeaimedatchallengingthenegativeattitudesandstereotypesfacedbyseniors,andcelebratingtheagelessspiritofolderpersonsinCanada.

Nowmorethanever,wehaveanopportunitytomeetthechallengeofageismhead-oninanextraordinary,positive way. This is not a challenge that can be tackled by a single organization or segment of thepopulation.Individuals,organizationsandpolicymakersallhavearoletoplay.

TheReveraReportonAgeismconcludeswithasetofrecommendations.Ourhopeisthattheybecomethestartoftheconversation.Thankyouforreading,andwewelcomeyourengagementandideas.Togetherwecanbuildanage-inclusiveCanada.

Foreword

4REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

About the Revera ReportThe Revera Report on Ageism probed Canadians aged 18-32(GenY), 33-45 (GenX), 46-65 (Boomers), 66-74 (Seniors) and75+ (Older Seniors) to findout their attitudes about aging and togaugetheirlevelofawarenessandexperiencewithageism.

Thegoalsof the researcharemultifaceted: todrawattentiontothe misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding older people;to informand advance dialogue around the issueof ageism; togive voice to the views of Canadians who embrace the positivequalities of being older; and to demonstrate that there are many ways people live their lives to the fullest at every stage of their life.

The research was completed online from August 24th toSeptember 4th, 2012 using Leger Marketing’s online panel,LegerWeb, with a sample of 1,501 Canadians. A probabilitysample of the same size would yield a margin of error of 2.5per cent, 19 times out of 20. The Revera Report on Ageism is oneinaseriesofreportsissuedbyReveraexploringdifferenttopicsrelevanttotheagingexperienceofCanadianseniors.

5REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

Revera Report on Ageism: Key ResultsAgeism in Canada Despiteanagingpopulation,ageismiswidespreadinCanada.Itisthemosttoleratedformofsocialprejudicewhencomparedtogender–orrace-baseddiscrimination.

•Six-in-ten(63%)seniors66yearsofageandoldersaytheyhavebeentreatedunfairly ordifferentlybecauseoftheirage

•One-in-three(35%)Canadiansadmittheyhavetreatedsomeonedifferentlybecause oftheirage;thisstatisticgoesashighas43%forGenXand42%forGenY

•Half(51%)ofCanadianssayageismisthemosttoleratedsocialprejudicewhencompared togender-orrace-baseddiscrimination

•Eight-in-ten(79%)Canadiansagreethatseniors75andolderareseen as less importantandaremoreoftenignoredthanyoungergenerationsinsociety

•Seven-in-ten(71%)agreethatCanadiansocietyvaluesyoungergenerationsmore than older generations

•One-in-five(21%)CanadianssayolderCanadiansareaburdenon society

Older Canadians are viewed as less important and are more often ignored than when they were younger

6REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

Ageismdoesnotdiscriminate. Itcomesinmanyformsandfrommanydifferentsources.

Which prejudice do you think is the most tolerated in Canada?

Canadian society values younger generations more than older generations

•Agediscriminationtowardsseniors66 andoldercomesprimarilyfromyounger people(56%).Morethanone-in-four (27%)seniorssaythey’veexperienced agediscriminationfromgovernment andmorethanone-third(34%)from healthcareprofessionalsandthe healthcaresystem

•Nearlynine-in-tenseniors66and olderwhoencounteredageismfromthe government,attributeittoprogramsand policiesthatdonottakeintoaccountthe needsofolderpeople

•Nearlyeight-in-tenseniors66and olderwhoreportedagediscriminationin healthcare,saidahealthcareprofessional haddismissedtheircomplaintsasan inevitablesignofaging

•Thethreemostcommonformsofage discriminationfacedbyCanadianseniors include:beingignoredortreatedas thoughtheyareinvisible(41%);being treatedliketheyhavenothingto contribute(38%);andtheassumption thattheyareincompetent(27%)

7REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

Healthcareprofessionalshavedismissedmycomplaintsasaninevitablepartofaging 78%

4%

5%

3%

3%

1%

20%

4%

Ihavebeenrefusedmedicaltreatmentbecauseofmyage

Ihavebeenunabletoaccessappropriatehomecareneededformetoliveindependently

Iwasnotacceptedasapatientbyafamilyphysician

Iwasn’tdiscriminatedagainst,Ireceivedmoreprivileges

Ihavebeenunabletoaccessappropriategovernmentfundedlongtermcare

Other

Iprefernottoanswer

Sources of age discrimination seniors 66 and older experience

Types of discrimination seniors encounter from government

Types of discrimination seniors encounter from the healthcare system

87%

36%

12%

2%

Governmentprograms/policiesdonottakeintoaccounttheneedsofpeoplemyage

Publictransportationdoesnotaccountfortheneedsofseniorsandrestrictsmymobility

Other

Iprefernottoanswer

YoungerPeople 56%

Employers

Peopleolderthanme

Government

Healthcaresystem/healthcareprofessionals

Localbusinesses

Family

Peers

Other

Idon’tknow

20%

3%

27%

34%

17%

8%

4%

5%

6%

8REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

9REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

Types of discrimination faced by Canadian seniors

I have been ignored or treated as though I am invisible

People have assumed I have nothing to contribute

People have assumed I’m incompetent

I have been treated like a child

I have been disrespected

People have assumed I have memory loss

People have assumed I am slow-witted

People have assumed I am hard of hearing

Other

I don’t know

41%

38%

27%

12%

5%

16%

8%

19%

4%

5%

10REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

Two Unique Views on Aging OlderCanadiansaremuchmorepositiveaboutagingthanyoungergenerations,underscoringtheneedtochallengeageistattitudes.

Canadians overall have a negative perception of aging.

•89percentofCanadiansassociateagingwithsomethingnegativelikenot beingabletogetaroundeasily,losingindependenceorbeingalone

•GenYandGenXarethemostlikelytoholdanegativeperceptionof aging;theyaretheleastlikelytothinkpeople75andolderarepleasant, independentorhealthy,yetthemostlikelytodescribethemasgrumpy. Afurtherone-in-threedescribethemasdependent,sickorfrail

11REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

What does aging mean to Canadians 18 years of age and older?

How do you view Canadians 75 years of age and older?

The older you get, the more optimistic you are about aging.

•Whilethemajorityofseniors66and olderareoptimisticaboutaging,the oppositeistrueofyoungergenerations, specificallyGenY’sandGenX’s

•Canadians66andolderarethemost likelytoassociateagingwithsomething positivelikehavingmoretimetodo thingstheyloveandmoretimetospend withthosetheycareabout,aswellas beingwiserandmoreself-assured

•Seniors66andolderarethemostlikely tosay“ageisjustanumber”(41%)and approximatelytwo-in-fivesay“younever stoplivinglifetothefullest”(36%)and “thebestisyettocome”(40%)

On a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is extremely pessimistic and 10 is extremely optimistic, what is your outlook on aging?

55%

45%

43%42%

42%

22%

18%

15%

10%

A physically older version of myself

Not being able to get around easily

Losing my independence and becoming dependent on others

Losing my mental capacity

Not being able to keep physically active

Financial uncertainty

Being alone

Losing my social life

Being depressed

Gen Y + Gen X Boomers and Older

% Optimistic

26% 27%

40%

52%62%

12REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

Canadians believe you never stop living life to the fullest

Canadians say age is just a number41%

22%

16%13%

Gen Y Gen X Boomers Seniors & Older Seniors

NEVER

13REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

We Need to Make a Change Changedoesn’thappeninisolation:individuals,organizationsandpolicymakersallhavearoletoplayinbuildinganage-inclusiveCanada.

According to Canadians, the top three changes suggested to combat age discrimination are:

•Investintechnologiesthatcanhelpolderpeoplelive independentlyforlonger•Raiseawarenessaboutageismsothatitisassocially unacceptableasother‘isms’,likesexismandracism•Providemoregovernmentfundingofhealthcaresolutions thataddressthespecificneedsofanagingpopulation

Investintechnologiesthatcanhelpolderpeople liveindependently,longer

Raiseawarenessaboutageismtomakeageismassociallyunacceptableasother‘isms’

Providemoregovernmentfundingofhealthcaresolutions thataddressthespecificneedsofanagingpopulation

Dispelcommonstereotypesandmisconceptionsby highlightingthecontributionsseniorsmaketosociety

Developanational,government‘SeniorsStrategy’ tobetteraddresstheneedsofouragingsociety

Makecitiesmoreage-friendly

Providebetterprotectionagainst workplace-relatedagediscrimination

Developprogramstopromoteabetter understandingofelderabuse

Encourageinnovationbybusinessestodevelopproducts andservicesthatarebettersuitedtotheolderpopulation

Other

Idon’tknow/prefernottoanswer

37%

35%

32%

30%

28%

27%

19%

19%

18%

2%

8%

14REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

RecommendationsIt’sclearthatifwedon’taddressageismasasocietalissuenow,itwillcompoundandbecomemoreentrenchedasourpopulationages.Changehowever,won’thappenovernight,anditisnottheexclusiveresponsibilityofanyonegroup.Incollaborationandconsultationwitholderpeople,individuals,organizationsandpolicymakersallhavearoletoplayinbuildinganage-inclusivesociety.

As individuals and as a society,wemustshinealightontheissueofageism.Weneedtorecognize,calloutandchallengethenegativestereotypesandassumptionsaboutagingandolderpeople.Ratherthanmakeassumptionsaboutanindividual’sabilitiesorqualityoflifebasedontheirage,weneedtobeopen-minded,viewagingwithoptimismandreachouttoolderadultsasvibrant,importantandvaluedcontributorstosociety.

Organizationsneedtoraiseawarenessofageismandbeactivecontributorstoendingit.Asemployers,thevalueandsignificantcontributionsolderworkerscananddomakeshouldnotbeoverlooked.Wealsoneedtobetterunderstandandmeetthediverseneedsofolderconsumers–afterall,theyencompassabroadagerange,andtheneedsofa65-year-oldmaybequitedifferenttothoseofan85-year-old.

Policy makers,bothgovernmentandnon-governmentalagencies,needtocollaborateandplanforanage-inclusiveCanada.Buildingontheworkthatgovernmentsarealreadydoing,thereneedstobecontinuedfocusondevelopingpoliciesthatenablepeopleofallagestohavethechoicestheyneedtolivetheir livestothefullest.

15REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

16REVERA REPORT ON AGEISM

About Revera Inc.Reveraisaleadingproviderofseniors’accommodation,careandservices;builton50-yearhistoryofhelpingseniorslivelifetothefullest.Ournearly30,000dedicatedemployeescontinuallystrivetoserveadiversegroupofclientsandtoofferchoicestomeettheirindividualpreferences.Withmorethan250sitesacrossCanadaandpartsoftheU.S.,weworktoenhancelivesinourretirementcommunities,longtermcarehomes,U.S.nursingandrehabcentresandthroughtheprovisionofhomehealthservices.Canadian-ownedandoperated,Reveraservesapproximately30,000clientseveryday,withthecorevaluesofrespect,integrity,compassionandexcellenceattheheartofourbusiness.FindoutmoreaboutReveraatwww.reveraliving.comorfinduson FacebookandTwitter.

About The International Federation on AgeingTheInternationalFederationonAgeing(IFA)isaninternational,non-governmentalorganizationandpointofglobalconnectiontoexpertsandexpertiseinthefieldofageing.Webelieveingeneratingpositivechangeforolderpeoplethroughhelpingtoshapeandinfluenceeffectiveage-relatedandseniorpoliciesandpractice.FormoreinformationabouttheIFAvisitwww.ifa-fiv.org.

For more information on Age is More, please visit www.AgeIsMore.com.

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