Sharing age sensitivity training with students

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Abstract

Many young people have stereotypes about seniors that affect how they relate to them. Seniors may have a wealth of information and wisdom for young people to draw on, but stereotypes often get in the way of positive relationships. This effective practice submitted in February 2002 by Marti Sowka of the Portage County RSVP in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, uses a "Myths of Aging" quiz and the poem, "How Old is Old?" to confront stereotypes sixth graders may have about older adults.

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Issue

Stereotypes about older adults and seniors affect how students view people in these age groups and consequently affect relationships between students and older people.

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Action

Effective practices that help to reduce stereotypes about seniors include the following:
  • Talk to students about stereotypes. Kids have stereotypes about older adults, just as older adults have stereotypes about kids. You might compile a list of stereotypes about kids and have students work in groups to "debunk" them. Then you can compile a list of stereotypes about seniors and work collectively to discuss each, including where the stereotype comes from (collective attitudes) and examples of seniors who defy these classifications through non-stereotypical actions and behaviors.
  • Administer the "Myths of Aging" quiz to students. The answers to this quiz challenge conventional stereotypes about seniors. You can tailor the quiz to apply to your state by providing the appropriate statistics.

    Myths of Aging Quiz
    (Developed by Marti Sowka using information adapted from the book Age Wave: How the Most Important Trend of Our Time Will Change the Future, by Ken Dychtwald; J.P. Tarcher, 1989.)

    1. People age 65 and older make up what percent of the total United States population?
      A. 3% B. 6% C. 13% D. 20%
    2. What percent of Portage County residents are age 65 or older?
      A. 8% B. 11% C. 18% D. 25%
    3. What percent of older adults live in a nursing home?
      A. 5% B. 20% C. 40% D. 60%
    4. What is the age at which our bodies begin the process of aging?
      A. 20 years B. 35 years C. 50 years D. 65 years
    5. What is the average age people live to in the United States?
      A. 70 years B. 76 years C. 82 years D. 89 years
    Answers:
    1. C. (13%) Currently about 13 percent of the United States population is age 65 and over. By the year 2030, it will be about 20%.
    2. B. (11%) 10.9 percent are age 65 or older -- a little below the national average.
    3. A (5%) Most older people live in their own homes or apartments.
    4. B (35) Though most of us don't notice it too much at that age. Aging progresses differently for each person. Many people maintain good physical health into advanced age.
    5. B (76) Actually 76.7 for a baby born in 1998. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average for males is 73.8, for females is 79.5. Baylor University Huffington Center on Aging estimates that there are 70,000 people age 100 or over (centenarians) in the U.S.
  • Read the poem "How Old is Old?" by Leonore Klein, and other age appropriate poetry that addresses the issue of growing older. Poetry is a great way to get students to express their feelings about what it means to grow old or to be an older person in society. You could have the students write a poem using the point of view of a senior (either someone they know or someone they imagine).
    HOW OLD IS OLD?
    By Leonore Klein, 1967

    A mayfly is old when it is three days old!

    A mouse is old at the age of four!

    A squirrel is old when it is eight years old!

    Cats and dogs are old when they are about thirteen years old!

    A horse is old at twenty- eight! An elephant is old at fifty! A parrot is old at sixty-five!

    A giant tortoise is old at one hundred fifty years old!

    This poem is also available in book form as Old, Older, Oldest, by Leonore Klein; illustrated by Leonard Kessler, New York: Hastings House, c. 1983.

  • Study how different cultures view aging, and discuss the roles of older people in those societies. Other non-western cultures are less youth centered and do not always take a negative view of aging. For example, in many African and Asian countries, words that describe older people characterize elders as someone with knowledge.

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Context

The "Myths of Aging" quiz has been used with students in the fifth grade and up. Younger students may need more help understanding key concepts and terms that are a part of the quiz, but can easily understand the poem, "How Old is Old?"

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Outcome

Students were better able to understand aspects of aging they may not have considered before and were more accepting of older people. For example, in December of 2001, sixth graders in Portage County, Wisconsin who were studying volunteerism heard presentations from several community groups about volunteer activities. The County Department on Aging sponsored the RSVP of Portage County to talk with this group. Sixth graders took the "Myths of Aging" quiz and studied the poem "How Old is Old?" Later the students reviewed all the presentations and divided into groups to visit some of the agencies and engage in volunteer service.

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Posted On

April 4, 2002

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For More Information

Marti Sowka
Portage County RSVP
RSVP Director
1519 Water Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-1401

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Resources

Seniors for Schools Evaluation Results 1999-2000 School Year (124 KB)

Related Practices

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Related sites

Senior Corps

Diversity Opens Doors to Learning: Minneapolis Seniors for Schools

Topic Areas

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