Community for Combating Ageism

How do we gather together in the name of supporting one another on this journey?

When I took my first course in gerontology in the 1970's I saw seniors as people who played bingo in their wheelchairs in the nursing home where I worked. The vision of a hallway full of people lined up in wheelchairs was a regular view, and I became immune to the daily report of who had died during the previous day.

My job as activity director was to bring in other humans who would update our residents on current events,and take on small projects like preparing our own Thanksgiving feast helping to stuff the turkey, peeling potatoes and getting the cranberry sauce ready in our activity room. That memory is one of my bests, where ten women, most in wheelchairs, came alive trading turkey cooking secrets and swapping funny stories memories of previous Thanksgivings. They smiled and laughed a lot as they prepared the side dishes and got the place ready for our dinner. Who would've thought that a simple activity could bring so much joy!

As I worked at that nursing home, my most favorite humans became the sickest of the sick, who couldn't leave their beds, but were still there and thinking and needed some company.

Aging has many facets, from noticing we have a new ache that wasn't there yesterday, to the horrifying realization that our eyes are not letting us see as we used to, to losing a partner of many years.

If you are interested in becoming part of the movement to end discrimination against seniors, you can become a member here and join one of our growing community chat groups. We will have Zoom groups, too. This is our page. We are making a difference, one step at a time, one day at a time!

Thank you, Google for your list of advocate groups for Aging!

In future blogs, we will explore the following advocacy groups active today:

• AARP: An advocacy organization that offers discounts, activities, and education 

• SilverSneakers: A health and wellness group with local and online fitness classes and nutrition tips 

• SeniorNet: A nonprofit that helps older adults learn about technology and connect with others 

• National Senior Games: A competitive athletic program for people age 50 and older 

• American Birding Association: A network for people who enjoy watching birds 

• National Audubon Society: An organization that encourages people to observe birds and protect their habitats 

• AmeriCorps Seniors: A government program that offers service opportunities for people age 55 and older 

• National Council on Aging: An organization that serves older people, their caregivers, and professionals who help them 

• Agers for Ending Discrimination of Seniors.