“Her mind is shot – resign.”

© Imelda Maurer, cdp

July 13, 2016

The title of this post is a tweet from Donald Trump sent late last night responding to Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s comments about his competency to hold the office of President of the United States. It is the most recent example of ageism being 'alive and well' in the field of politics and throughout our society.

Such statements are blatantly ageist, blatantly prejudicial. Ageism – with all of its negative effects for older adults, and future older adults – will continue to flourish until us as a society name this prejudice that permeates our society. And the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  Which brings me to the question posed in yesterday’s post:  “What are the challenges?” I offer two here.

On a personal level:

We must challenge ageist statements whether they are directed to us personally, or if they are general prejudicial statements. When a sales clerk calls me “young woman”, I refute it nicely and graciously but firmly.  After all, the basis for anyone calling a woman in her 70’s a young woman is because our society sees youth as a more acceptable state than age. This bias must be acknowledged and addressed. 

We must monitor our immediate responses to events and persons that may reflect that we are drawing a conclusion based on chronological age. This practice will lead to a greater consciousness about the degree of ageist attitudes that heretofore have been present but unacknowledged, and therefore not attended to.

On an organizational level:

For those of us whose work involves services for older adults, the previous suggestion of checking immediate responses to persons and events holds true also.  Do we automatically believe that this person or that cannot accomplish a certain task because of his/her age or state of presumed disability?

A second aspect is to assure that all policies related to aging services are free of a negative ageist bias.  An easy test of that is to see if any policies are age-based:  “When a Sister reaches the age of 75 ----.”    If Sisters are required to have their driving skills tested ONLY because they have reached a certain age that is ageism being practiced openly and blatantly.  Insult is added to injury when the driving skills test is done not by an occupational therapist specialist but by a representative of an insurance company! Clearly, the concern of the insurance company is its bottom line.  Period.

I have had participants in workshops argue the previous point with me.  I stand on solid gerontological principles in this regard however. If we want a convenient, orderly organization, the ageist policies may be the way to go.  If we want an organization where every member is encouraged to continue to develop and live life as fully as possible, we will do away with “when a Sister reaches the age of 75 ------”. It may be a little messier and require a little more time with individuals and/or situations, but it is the more honorable way to facilitate life in an organization.  It honors the dignity of the older adult who is seen and judged as a whole person, not someone categorized because of her chronological age.

Ageism Snakes its Way into Politics

This political election cycle h as been crazy, as so many pundits have reminded us.  Indeed it has been a strange and unpredictable period of political history. However, even in the midst of this unpredictability, examples of ageism are front and center. Its presence proves that our culture is soaked in the prejudice of ageism.

Four years ago an 84-year-old Clint Eastwood spoke to an empty chair during the Republican Convention.  It did not go over well.  The most common ‘analysis’ by pundits was age-related:  “What were they thinking, asking an 84-year-old-man?”

Two years ago Chuck Todd interviewed Nancy Pelosi in the context of national elections possibly resulting in the Democrats regaining control of the house.  Chuck wondered if Former Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, would seek that position once again, asking her if she didn’t think that perhaps she was too old for that position. 

Last month there was much chatter about the unfortunate decision of Bill Clinton to visit Attorney General Loretta Lynch while their planes were on the tarmac in Atlanta.  One commentator mused that he wondered if perhaps Bill Clinton is “not at the top of his game” any longer.  In other words, Bill Clinton, at age 69 – in making what many consider a very unwise decision – made that decision because he’s slipping, because, after all, he’s 69.  What else can you expect?

To date, no one in the public area has come back to denounce any of these instances as ageist, as negatively prejudicial.  Had Chuck Todd suggested that Pelosi is unqualified as Speaker because she is a woman, he would have lost his job at NBC.  Sexism – not acceptable.  Had someone suggested that Clint Eastwood’s flop performance was due to his Irish ancestry, the outcry would be to denounce ethnic prejudices.  Racism -- not acceptable.

But  ageism? No one speaks up against blatantly ageist remarks.  Why? A major reason is because collectively, as a society, we do not recognize this bias. Ageism is so ingrained in our culture that we don’t sense its presence. We too soak it up without realizing it.

And what’s the challenge:  There are two.  See this space tomorrow.

What does our Gracious God Who is Rich and Merciful desire for us in our later years?

The Communications Director of our Congregation extended an invitation to all the Sisters to share a reflection on how our specific ministry reflects the spirit of this Holy Year of Mercy. I submitted mine to her today and share it here with you, my blog readers.

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It was a cold December evening in Charleston, WV, 1988, as I was making an unannounced after-hours visit to a nursing home in my role as ombudsman. After about an hour visiting residents, I was retracing my steps down the hallway toward the front exit.   Although it was only 7:30, many of the rooms were already darkened and their occupants in bed for the night.  From such one darkened room I heard a resident call out from his bed.  I was nearing his doorway, and though I could not yet see into his room, I remembered having talked with him earlier. He was a WWII veteran; his right arm had been amputated at the shoulder.  I asked from the hallway, “Can I help you?”   The answer was quick and strong:  “A hug.”  I walked into this man’s room and gave him a simple hug; he settled back onto his pillow and I made my way home.

A simple response to a vulnerable elder’s expressed heartfelt need.  I hope there was some message of his being loved eternally and unconditionally.

Francis tells us in “The Name of God is Mercy” that “Mercy is deeply connected with God’s faithfulness.” Francis also says clearly that true mercy is not words alone, that active love and compassion must find voice in action.

My current efforts – through writing, workshops, presentations, visits to motherhouses and provincialates, and consultative services – are to stir a new consciousness among those who, by election or by appointment, are called to serve those elderly Sisters who need supportive aging services. This new consciousness calls for transforming the institutional culture of retirement centers to places where life is still lived to the fullest. Transforming the culture, the operative philosophy, opens doors to heretofore unimagined scenarios of life in the midst of frailty and illness.

Life blossoms each day with:

          ♦ Knowledge that one’s dignity is being recognized and honored.

          ♦ Experiencing purpose and meaning in one’s day and life.

          ♦ Richness of meaningful relationships.

          ♦ The exercise of choice about every possible event of their day.

The Sister is no longer living in an institution, she is living at HOME!

Our God, Gracious, Kind and Merciful, Rich in Mercy -- as the psalmists tell us-- wants this quality of life for each of us, wants us to have what fulfills us and enables us to live more fully.  My efforts in ministry to make such life possible for Sisters across the country are surely a work of mercy.