Can we settle the age-old debate about ageism?

Director of the Trent Centre for Aging & Society Dr. Elizabeth Russell challenges old-fashioned perspectives on aging

As baby boomers continue to reach retirement age, Ageism is a prominent challenge within our communities across Canada. Yet, according to Dr. Elizabeth Russell, director of the Trent Centre for Aging and Society (TCAS) and associate Psychology professor, we don’t often hear of this “ism”.

“It's something that we don't hear a lot about, and may not consider, but the impact of ageism on older people is dramatic,” Professor Russell explains. “It's extremely negative and underplays all the positives that older people have to bring.”

Through TCAS, Trent researchers are sharing new knowledge on the contribution of older people to society, their resilience during the pandemic, aging in rural communities, and older volunteerism. Prof. Russell and her team are also looking forward to opportunities for students, researchers, and seniors to engage in life-long learning and multi-generational interaction through Trent’s planned University-Integrated Seniors Village, or “campus of care” as it is commonly known.

“I think that looking at older people as a really valuable resource in our community is absolutely the best way to think about ageing,” says Prof. Russell. “Those are people that we look up to value in our society.”