View of pensioners better than before

Tuesday, 06 December 2011

Older people are being viewed in a better light - with new stereotypes such as "golden ager" replacing outdated ones such as "grumpy old man", researchers say.

A study by Edinburgh University found the public's view of old age and the elderly has changed due to Britons living and staying active for longer.

This has caused previous views of pensioners being dangerous drivers and in poor health to be replaced with those who are sociable, well-travelled and happy.

Researchers from the university said the changing view of old age was important - because it can make people better at dealing with stress and improve self-belief.

One paper from Yale University said that those who have a positive outlook on ageing live an average of seven-and-a-half years longer.

Joanne Persson, a post graduate psychology researcher at Edinburgh University, led the latest study into elderly stereotypes.

She said: "If old people hold negative stereotyping about themselves this will affect their well-being.

"It is important that negative stereotypes of older people held by the young are challenged so they do not grow into old age holding these stereotypes of themselves."

The study was the first of its kind to be carried out in Britain. It involved 572 people aged between 14 and 91, who were asked to define characteristics of the elderly.

Out of the 100 most commonly cited traits, the participants classed 46 as positive and 45 as negative - an improvement on previous American surveys.

In a 1986 study participants identified 59 negative traits and only 32 positive traits, while a 1994 survey highlighted 63 negative traits and only 46 positive ones.

The characteristics were then grouped together to make stereotypes.

These included the "golden ager", who was seen as content, fit, helpful and friendly and the "traveller", who was described as sociable and wise.

The "live wire" was happy, active, young at heart and interested in life.

Negative stereotypes included the "grumpy old man", who was pessimistic, rude and disparaging of the young and the "mildly impaired", a bad driver, passive and a drain on the NHS.

Phil Hanlon, Professor of Public Health at the University of Glasgow, said: "People are living longer and seventy may well be the new fifty.

"The idea of healthy ageing is definitely emerging.

"There is the University of the Third Age, Saga holidays and increasing numbers of older people finding a role on television like Bruce Forsyth.

"However those who move into their mid to late eighties tend to suffer from multiple morbidities.

"At the same time there are reports of a horrible and depressing decline, of nursing homes that are unpleasant and dehumanising, and of rising numbers of people with dementia or other illnesses."

Brian McKechnie, Manager of the Centre for Life Long Learning at the University of Strathclyde and an expert in intergenerational projects, added: "Some people hold very positive views of older people but increasing age is still considered negative in terms of health, employment ability and contribution.

"Older people are generally viewed as a group that society has to support rather than as a group with a major contribution to make."