From October 25 through November 3, Changing the Narrative will be sponsoring on the same pAGE, a campaign to encourage conversations on ageism around the state. (Click on the picture above or HERE to get involved.)
Why are we doing this? Ageism—the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against people on the basis of their age—is pervasive! It can be directed at younger people or older people. Either way, it reduces opportunities and diminishes us all.
The good news: Research shows that intergenerational conversations are effective in reducing ageism.
When generations come together to share their knowledge and perspectives, biases lessen and people’s attitudes about age shift. Collectively, we can all participate in changing our biases and reducing ageism.
Interested? Sign up to host a conversation by clicking on the picture above. You host a private conversation in your own space like your home and invite your friends, or host a conversation in a public space like a coffeeshop (we’ll provide facilitator training as well as a gift card to buy a round of coffee). Either way, we’ll provide a host toolkit (suggested activities, questions and more!)
What is Changing the Narrative in Colorado?
Changing the Narrative is a strategic communications and awareness campaign to increase understanding of ageism and to shift how Coloradans think about aging.
Thank you to all who participated in the REAL Photo Contest!
Images of older adults often underscore negative stereotypes. We recently held a contest to generate more non-ageist images of older adults in action. We had a tremendous response and are excited to share the winners with you. Check them out on Next50’s website, where the pictures are free and available for download, to help support the battle against visual ageism!
Why is changing the narrative and reframing aging important?
Like people across the country and world, Coloradans are living longer and healthier lives. Yet national research conducted by FrameWorks Institute over the last three years shows that aging is misunderstood in America, and ageist and negative stereotypes about older people abound.
By marginalizing older people and minimizing their contributions, ageist attitudes and stereotypes harm not only older people but also our communities, which fail to benefit from the build up of experience and insights that all of us acquire as we age.
Can we do something about it? Yes, we can! Groundbreaking research by FrameWorks Institute showed that it is possible to shift how people think through “reframing” aging and ageism.
By changing the way that people talk and think about aging and ageism, Changing the Narrative will be setting the foundation for more productive policies and practices across our state that leverage the strengths and talents of older people, and systems that support wellbeing for all of us as we age.
