The Intersection of Ableism and Ageism: The Impact on Older Adults

Laura M. Robinson, MPH, GWEP Program Coordinator; Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center, URMC

Age is not a simple construct nor a single process, it’s multidimensional. From a developmental perspective, many changes take place over our lifetime. Disability is part of the human condition. Most people will be temporarily or permanently impaired at some point in life, and those who survive to old age will experience increasing difficulties in functioning. People who are older and people with disabilities experience significant discrimination in the US and around the world.  This presentation will describe ageism, ableism, and the intersectionality of these two types of discrimination on older adults as well as what we can do about it.