E8 The Stories We Tell About Aging

Welcome back, in today's episode Zabrina leads a discussion around the narratives surrounding aging, the impact of ageism on health, and the importance of challenging societal beliefs about aging. With a focus on Dr. Becca Levy’s book, Breaking the Age Code, the hosts explore how ageist beliefs truly shape the outcome of how we age.     Show Notes Keywords: aging, ageism, health, generational gaps, healthcare, women's rights, feminism, societal beliefs about aging Takeaways:  The narrative of youth equates to beauty and health. Ageist beliefs can be internalized and affect self-concept. Challenging ageism requires structural changes in society. Representation of older individuals can normalize aging. You can add years to your life by changing your beliefs about aging. Younger healthcare practitioners may lack the experience needed for certain situations. Older practitioners bring valuable experience to medical practice. Ageism affects both mental and physical health outcomes. Public messaging can help combat ageism. Diverse teams in healthcare can provide better patient outcomes. Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Stereotype Embodiment Theory 01:31 The Impact of Age Beliefs on Memory 06:26 The Economics of Ageism 10:01 Inspiring Role Models of Aging  17:00 Challenging Ageism in Daily Life 27:37 Introduction to Ageism and Fashion 29:53 The Impact of Age on Fashion Choices 32:49 Finding Personal Style at Any Age 35:38 The Commitment to Curate Your Wardrobe 38:37 Humor and Ageism in Everyday Life 41:01 Finding Joy in the Present Moment 52:26 Addressing Ageism: Interpersonal and Structural Solutions   References: Chang, E.-S., Kannoth, S., Levy, S., Wang, S.-Y., Lee, J. E., & Levy, B. R. “Global Reach of Ageism on    Older Persons’ Health: A Systematic Review.” *PLOS ONE*, 2020.  Levy, Becca R. *Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live.* William Morrow, 2022.  Levy, Becca R., Colleagues. “Longevity Increased by Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging.” *Journal of Personality and Social Psychology*, 2002.  Levy, Becca R. “Stereotype Embodiment: A Psychosocial Approach to Aging.” *Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences*, 2009.  Levy, Becca R., Slade, Martin D. “Positive Age Beliefs Protect Against Dementia Even Among Elders with High-Risk Gene.” *JAMA Network Open*, 2023.  Levy, Becca R., Slade, M. D., Chang, E.-S., Kannoth, S., & Wang, S.-Y. “Ageism Amplifies Cost of Health Conditions in Older Persons: Economic Evidence from the U.S.” *The Gerontologist*, 2020.  Levy, B. R., Zonderman, A. B., Slade, M. D., & Ferrucci, L. “Memory Shaped by Age Stereotypes Over Time.” *Psychological Science*, 2018.  Excerpt read aloud: Introduction, page 3, from *Breaking the Age Code* (2022), Dr. Becca Levy.    Contact Information: Find Murder of Crones on You Tube, Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram.  Email : [email protected]   Special Thanks to www.dinnissendesign.com for Zabrina’s use of their show room for recording. Check them out for all your interior design needs. Dinnissen Design is located in Vancouver and Castlegar BC.