Aging is one of the certainties of life. At some point in everyone’s lifetime, there will be more yesterdays than tomorrows. With this passage comes the experience of ageism. According to a study by the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, 93% of older adults report experiencing at least one form of ageism regularly. Ageism is to old age as racism is to skin color, and sexism is to gender.
A significant percentage (93%) of older adults acknowledge that health issues are an inherent part of aging, despite a majority (83%) reporting good or excellent health. Interestingly, a strong correlation exists between higher levels of perceived ageism and poorer self-reported physical and mental health.
A substantial portion (65%) of older adults encounter ageist jokes or messages in media such as television, the internet, and magazines. Individuals who spend considerable time with these media sources tend to exhibit higher levels of perceived ageism.
A considerable number (45%) of older adults report experiencing interpersonal ageism, whereas others assume they struggle with technology, vision, hearing, comprehension, memory, or independent functioning.
An example of everyday ageism can be found in the use of age-mocking humor that is commonly featured in many birthday cards, where either the appearances or the frailty of older bodies and minds are used as fodder for jokes and acerbic commentary. Ageism appears in all contexts, including healthcare, where older adults often receive inadequate care. In the workplace, older workers face discrimination in hiring, promotions, and job assignments. Older adults encounter discrimination in housing, with rental applications denied or evictions based on age stereotypes. Of course, ageism is present to one degree or another in driving tests.
Media also perpetuates negative stereotypes about older adults through movies, TV shows, and advertisements. Social interactions can include ageist comments and behaviors during family gatherings or social events. Public policies might disadvantage older adults unintentionally, such as retirement age regulations and limited elder care support.
In its worst form, ageism leads to elder abuse, mistreatment, and neglect. Since the pandemic, ageism has worsened. Hashtags such as “boomer removal” have been trending on social media platforms – implying that it is now acceptable to ask
Ageism in DMV Offices
Driving vehicles has been made easier over the last century, beginning with not cranking a car, risking what was called Ford Fractures, to get it started to turn signals replacing hand signals, from manual to automatic transmissions, to using GPS navigation instead of using paper maps. What has not kept pace are the standards for testing drivers or at least the old standards being applied to senior citizens reflecting ageism.
Ageism in driving tests manifests itself where older drivers are subjected to stricter testing standards or are automatically considered less capable drivers simply because of their age, often leading to unnecessary concerns about their ability to drive safely, even if they demonstrate competent driving skills; this can include requiring more frequent re-tests or applying harsher judgment during evaluations solely based on age, rather than individual ability.
However, my experience shows that ageism often influences the demands of these tests. If the DMV genuinely cares about their safety, it would allow people to use the technology that they use every day for the test itself. Many California drivers are affected. As of 2024, California has over 27 million licensed drivers, with approximately 10% of these drivers aged 65 and older, indicating that there are around 2.7 million senior drivers in the state. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the number of licensed drivers aged 70 and older in the U.S. increased by 92% between 1997 and 2022, with 73% of this age group holding licenses in 1997, rising to 89% in 2022.
Media also perpetuates negative stereotypes about older adults through movies, TV shows, and advertisements. Social interactions can include ageist comments and behaviors during family gatherings or social events. Public policies might disadvantage older adults unintentionally, such as retirement age regulations and limited elder care support.
In its worst form, ageism leads to elder abuse, mistreatment, and neglect. Since the pandemic, ageism has worsened. Hashtags such as “boomer removal” have been trending on social media platforms – implying that it is now acceptable to ask
Advances in Auto Use
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