Elderabuse.org Board member Dr. David Burnes is featured in the New York Times article Ageism: A ‘Prevalent and Insidious’ Health Threat’ This article details the prevalence of ageism in the U.S. and worldwide.
Dr. David Burnes shares a few examples of ways we can fight Ageism. These methods are cheap and easy, yet effective, and work by connecting young people directly with older adults. Even simple ideas such as pen pals, playing games together and gardening can make a BIG impact!
“These were small, inexpensive, local efforts, pointed out the study’s lead author, David Burnes, now a gerontologist at the University of Toronto. They included:
- A program in which undergraduate psychology students corresponded with older adults by email, developing deepening relationships over six weeks.
- A gardening project that brought fourth-graders to a Tennessee senior center twice weekly for a month.
- A four-session program in an Australian high school, incorporating discussions, games and role-playing about aging and adult development.” – Paula Span, New York Times
We invite you to read the entire New York Times article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/26/health/ageism-elderly-health.html
And learn more about Ageism, by visiting the World Health Organization’s website on Aging: https://www.who.int/ageing/ageism/en/