October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons. Here in Canada, it’s also National Seniors Day. There has never been a better time to be an older person, yet ageist stereotypes persist. It’s time to shift our collective focus from anti-aging to aging well. Read on to get started.
About the International Day of Older Persons
The International Day of Older Persons has been around since 1990. For 2025, the United Nations declared the theme as Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action, highlighting the role older individuals play in building resilient and equitable societies.
Far from being passive beneficiaries, older persons are drivers of progress, contributing their knowledge and experience in areas such as health equity, financial well-being, community resilience, and human rights advocacy.
United Nations
A force to be reckoned with
The United Nations reports the number of people 65 years or older tripled from around 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021. Between 2021 and 2050, the global share of the older population is projected to increase from less than 10% to around 17%.
And far from being a burden on society, many older adults are doing great things in their communities.
Despite all the positives, ageist stereotypes persist in the general population, thanks largely to the way advertising and the media portray older adults.
Ageist stereotypes
In research done by the Retirement Coaches Association in 2023, “staying relevant, up-to-date or savvy” is one of the top non-financial fears of pre-retirees and retirees. It’s not surprising considering the way our society views older people.
People are living longer and healthier lives, yet western culture clings to outdated stereotypes of retirement and aging. Ageism remains one of the last socially acceptable forms of discrimination.
Older adults have more wealth, disposable income, and free time than young people, yet businesses consistently market products and services to the youth market.
We are making progress. AARP reports negative portrayal of older adults in online images dropped from 28% in 2018 to just 10% in 2023. But we still have work to do.
As an example, every time I search for retirement-related images for my website, negative images outnumber positive ones. Many of the images portray feeble people walking with canes. Others show older adults sitting in rocking chairs or armchairs. And money is still the most prevalent theme in retirement images.
Where are the more realistic images of older adults starting businesses, volunteering in their communities, playing with their young grandchildren, running marathons, writing books, or pursuing passion projects?
And why does society continually tell us aging is something to be feared?
Anti-aging is big business
I shake my head every time I hear the term anti-aging. We can bury our heads in the sand, but we can’t change the fact that we are all aging. And there is only one alternative to aging, and that is something no-one wants to talk about.
As a cancer survivor, I know better than most that aging is a privilege and life is precious. In 10 Years, 10 Lessons – What Cancer Taught Me About Life on my personal blog, I shared some thoughts on appearance and health.
Good genes have a lot to do with how well we age, but there’s a growing body of research that a positive attitude toward aging could make a big difference. In her book Breaking the Age Code, Becca Levy presents research that positive age beliefs can help you live longer—7.5 years longer!
If the elusive fountain of youth lies in our mindset, it’s astounding that Statista reports the global market for anti-aging products in 2023 was 47 billion US dollars.
Aging well is a threat to companies who profit from anti-aging products. They want you to believe aging is something to be resisted. They’ll tell you looking young is the key to happiness. But aging well is about much more than appearance.
Shift your focus to aging well
Exercise, sleep and nutrition are key to healthy aging. Beyond physical health, here are some ways you can start to shift your focus to aging well and be one of those Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action.
Call out ageism
Start paying attention to the images of older adults you see every day. You’ll be hard pressed to find many images of older adults, let alone realistic and positive portrayals of a growing demographic that is reinventing retirement and aging.
It’s time to reexamine negative stereotypes of older adults and hold brands and media outlets accountable. Call out examples of ageism when you see them. And spend your hard-earned dollars at businesses that promote healthy attitudes towards aging.
Get involved in a cause you’re passionate about
A strong sense of purpose is one of the best ways to stay relevant. And there’s no better way to cultivate purpose than investing your time and energy in a cause you care about. Many organizations and causes need help, and everyone has the ability to do something.
If you’re not sure where to start, think about your values and the life experiences that have shaped your view of the world. Which causes are you passionate about? It could be healthcare, environmental issues, education, affordable housing, literacy, gender equality… The list is endless. And there are groups working hard to make a difference in all of these areas—many of them led by older adults.
Take some time today to research groups that align with your values and interests. And then find out how you can help.
Live your best life
Ultimately, the best thing we can all do is show the world that older adults are a force to be reckoned with by living our best life.
Start by examining your own perceptions around aging. The U.K.’s Centre for Ageing has a terrific quiz to help people identify if they unconsciously hold ageist beliefs. Take the quiz. The results might surprise you.
Then, resolve to send a positive message about aging to everyone you meet. It will make a difference.
If you’re thinking about retiring, contact me to learn how I can help you shift your focus to aging well as you get ready to transition into your next chapter.