Professor Andrew Scott discusses his book The Longevity Imperative on the podcast 4-Quarter Lives. He says, “Ageing is not an event; it’s a continuous process that requires societal reevaluation and adaptation.” He believes that society needs to change to allow people to live longer and better lives, and he supports having a mix of generations in the workforce.
Life expectancy now surpasses 60 years, leading to disparities in health and wealth. Access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle choices are a few examples of the factors that affect these disparities. Furthermore, specific initiatives and regulations may improve older people’s overall quality of life.
In 2004, I spent a year working in home care in Genoa, Italy, teaching literacy skills to older adults. This experience profoundly highlighted the importance of counselling and active listening when working with older populations. Contrary to what our super-human and individualistic society promotes, older people are valuable sources of knowledge and wisdom. Governance, education and communities must rethink ageing and value older adults.
Following my religious studies, meeting Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the founder of the Tzu Chi Foundation, at a CESNUR conference in Taiwan in 2011 inspired me to further investigate ageing and counselling.
Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s mission is based on Buddhist ideas about compassion and helping other people. She started a community in Taipei for the elderly and told her followers to be disciplined, hard-working, prudent and resilient, and to become involved with the community.
Dharma Master Cheng Yen‘s philosophy emphasises doing what is right and necessary, promoting benevolence and wisdom. Her dedication to guiding her followers and showing care for Taiwan and the world has made her one of the most influential figures in modern Taiwanese Buddhism. Her initiatives for the elderly, including recycling and work programmes, demonstrate her commitment to compassion.
My travels to Taiwan and reading testimonials about an incredible old volunteer show this revaluation of age. Reading Grandma Lee (Lee Sam Moay), a 93-year-old volunteer, intrigued my interest in ageism and Western “fixated” mindsets, which led to new work-culture arguments. She is a wonderful example of how older persons may renew our communities.
Grandma Lee had 15 children despite a lack of education and suffered many hardships. Despite these drawbacks, volunteering with the Tzu Chi Foundation gave her purpose and joy in her later years. Her story, “real-life and inclusive” care experiences, emphasises the need to keep older persons active and involved.
Grandma Lee and Master Cheng Yen’s efforts indicate that age does not limit one’s ability to contribute to society. If we rethink age and value everyone’s wisdom, we can build communities where everyone feels respected and valued.
Encouraging older persons to engage is essential in my counselling work. Some clients have expressed loneliness. We’ve explored options like community centres, charities, online courses, and libraries to keep them engaged and mentally stimulated, strengthening their confidence and happiness. Also, learn digital skills, why not? We considered how the digital world can also serve as a tool for overcoming loneliness. Learn digital skills, why not?
Intergenerational programmes can bridge the gap between age groups, dispelling harmful stereotypes. Offering ongoing learning opportunities for older persons helps them stay positive and proactive and contribute meaningfully to society. Raising public awareness about the value and contributions of older persons can help change societal mindsets, reduce ageist biases, and promote respect and inclusion.
As we commemorate the International Day of Older Persons (1 October), it’s crucial to “Take a Stand against Ageism.” Rosemary Lane from UN DESA’s Division for Social Policy and Development highlights that “negative perceptions and assumptions about older persons remain deeply ingrained,” devaluing and excluding them.
We need to rethink ageing and appreciate the great contribution elderly people contribute to our lives. A culture that values and learns from its elders is a culture that moves forward.
