Carson City, NV October 03, 2023
Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) and the American Society on Aging (ASA) will celebrate Ageism Awareness Day on October 7, 2023. Modeled after the United Nation’s International Day of Older Persons (Oct. 1), Ageism Awareness Day provides an opportunity to draw attention to the existence and impact of ageism in society.
“ADSD is committed to raising awareness about ageism and advocating for a society that values and respects people of all ages,” said Dena Schmidt, ADSD Administrator. “Our older adults have a wealth of wisdom and experience to offer, and Ageism Awareness Day serves as a crucial platform to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusion.”
Ageism, the discrimination or prejudice against individuals based on their age, can impact everyone and awareness and education can help to reduce or eliminate ageism.
“We live in an aging society, which is a wonderful, remarkable thing,” says ASA’s Interim President & CEO Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD. “But too many of us view aging with fear, denial and even hostility. We are all growing older. We can’t afford to limit ourselves and other people with such negative and harmful views, and why would we want to? Let’s lean into the opportunities, diversity and full range of experiences that come with aging.”
ADSD invites all community members, organizations, and stakeholders to join in this important endeavor to combat ageism and promote a more inclusive society for older adults.
To learn more about ageism, visit https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/ageing-ageism