An older worker and younger worker chatting

Why does imagery matter?

How we are represented as we grow older can have a profound impact on other people’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours towards us. This is particularly important if some or most of those representations are negative or stereotypical.

More worryingly, we can internalise those negative misconceptions about ageing that we are bombarded with every day. They then become a self-fulfilling prophecy, affecting the way we perceive ourselves and what we think we are capable or worthy of. In the end, this leads to us limiting the kinds of activities we do, the opportunities we go for, and even the way we might dress.

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