I suppose it can be stated that I have never encountered a good idea, a great idea, that I wasn’t ready to act upon. Thus, my inspiration from an AARP webinar “Combatting Ageism”. While Age- and Dementia-Friendly Winnemucca and Humboldt County has endeavored to increase awareness on aging and stages of dementia, our campaign continually expands as we learn more and seek ways to make our community stronger and more inclusive.
Boston has launched “Age Strong” to strengthen the interactions between all ages. The team interviewed many individuals 40+ including the questions: “What 2 words describe you best?” followed by “What 2 words would others use to describe you?”
Responses contained terms such as clever, creative, majestic as well as feeble, out-of-touch, curmudgeon. Since people assessed their own characteristics, negatives arose that might not occur in a direct interview with someone else.
I might attribute ZEALOUS to my description while another might ascribe OVERBEARING to my behavior. Incorporating both positive and negative, an advertisement program began to challenge the stereotypes of aging.
Recruiting active volunteers, posters were designed with large bold print at the top, with a word like FRUMPY accompanied by a woman in her 100s dressed and ready for ballroom dancing and a fashion show. The statement beside her pose: “I am agile, I am active, I am…” ending with “I may be described in many ways, but FRUMPY is not one of them.”
Banners were hung, digital programs assembled, bookmarks and flyers distributed, newspaper and magazine articles submitted to inform the public about Aging Strong.
Further, the city created a Conversation Guide with 5 questions similar to these: 1. How will you age strong?
2. How are you treated as you age?
3. How do you want to be treated?
4. What kids of jokes do you hear about age?
5. Do other people make you feel old? How? Realizing that is not just older adults who feel dejected, they also made a youth council to integrate anti-ageism in customer service and to educate about anti-ageist policies.
An ADF team member commented on the negative term, frumpy, suggesting that we only post the positive such as EXQUISITE as some people might get hung up on the negative and abandon our push. I recognize both sides of this: get rid of negativity and promote positivity and the opposite. I plan to research how and why the Boston committee selected their key words as I await input from you.
More information continued with Rochester/Monroe County, New York’s drive for inclusivity, reframing aging, and addressing poverty to generate a health masterplan for all ages. They also tackled diversity, equity, and inclusion in their plan and produced an Age-Friendly quick-guide. Coming soon will be their “Annual Celebration of Aging Health Symposium” – I love it so count on one happening here in the spring!
The Pittsburgh presenter pointed out examples of items that are great for all ages such as safe sidewalks: good for walkers and wheelchairs, good for tricycles and kids’ scooters, good for mom with a stroller.
She also recommended terms like elderly, seniors, old folk be chucked and replaced with terms like older adults (anyone over 21??), residents, neighbors, older/earlier generation. Hoping to build relationships, all people should feel valued, appreciated, and “experts on aging”.
Applying for an ARRP grant and with your support, Winnemucca and Humboldt County stands ready to start our campaign. I have long wanted a billboard on our three main roads into town to advertise our Age- and Dementia-Friendly Community.
We’d include our local catch-phrase (to be crafted through local feedback), pictures of our model residents with their single word of choice to best portray themselves, and perhaps some local business logos who support the development as well as donate to this endeavor. Flyers, brochures, and a booklet follow-up mean that anyone curious has the opportunity to learn more about us.
Miami Ohio University has an “Age-Smart Inventory” to investigate to prepare our work and we also want ideas from all of you. A survey may arrive in your inbox and know that your responses are vital. Watch out when you see me on the street as I am likely to pull you right into our project. Remember that even if you are 12 or 91, your insight is important. Focused on a media-blitz on those from 40 through 100, you have constructive attributes and capabilities to share with local residents as well as everyone else driving by.
Thanks – in advance!