Breaking the stereotype of old age

A recent survey for the charity WRVS, which provides services for older people, found that those in their 60s and early 70s were perceived as not having yet reached the threshold of old age, according to a report from guardian.co.uk.

In these health-conscious times, the over 60s tend to be more active and young in their outlook than ever before. No longer do people have to retire at set ages or stop doing the things they love. This is why over 60s are no longer considered old and resist ageing as long as they can. We only have to look at well known public figures who have turned 65 and are as active as ever in their respective fields.

However, this view begins to change when people reach the cut off point of 75, as after this older people are considered old - meaning grumpy, weak and vulnerable i.e. all the traditional negative characteristics of old age.

Lynne Berry, CEO of WRVS, commented: "Older people are just as talented, witty and knowledgeable as people of other ages. If we write people off just because they're old, we lose all the skills and experience they've built up throughout their life."

Fifty per cent of respondents to the survey, conducted by research organisation nfpSynergy, considered those aged between 65 and 74 as independent. However, only 22 per cent thought the same of over 75s. Forty per cent thought the younger group to be resourceful but only 25 per cent thought the same about over 75s and there were similar results as regards helpfulness in both groups.

A stunning 78 per cent of respondents regarded over 75s as vulnerable, whereas only 30 per cent thought this of those between 65 and 74.

Just 24 per cent thought over 75s to be happy, while 42 per cent thought this of this for 65-74s and similarly 24 per cent thought the older group to be rude.

Ms Berry said that research clearly showed that public perceptions change of older people when they reached the age of 75 and tend to regard this group as "weaker, vulnerable and unhappy". She added that WRVS volunteers who spend a lot of time with over 75s say that it is about time that people heard the stories that they have to tell.

To this end WRVS is collecting stories from over 75s on their website to begin the task of breaking this stereotype.

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