The whole month of May is Older Americans Month (OAM), a time to recognize older Americans’ contributions, highlight aging trends and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities. The 2025 theme, “Flip the Script on Aging,” encourages us to challenge outdated stereotypes and embrace the many opportunities that come with aging.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the observance every May for OAM. The theme for 2025 is “Flip the Script on Aging” which is focusing on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. Throughout the month of May ACL and local organizations will be honoring older adults’ contributions, opportunities for staying active and engaged, and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging.

OAM was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens when there were only 17 million Americans aged 65 and older, now there are 59 million 65+ in the U.S. accounting for about 18% of the nation’s population. It is estimated that by 2040 there will be more than 78 million older adults ages 65+, comprising 22% of the total population. Clearly the demographics make us ultra-aware of how we perceive aging.

Ageism is defined as an alteration in feeling, belief, or behavior in response to an individual’s or group’s perceived chronological age. There is frank and overt ageism that have the following reflects: Condescending tone; Personality deterioration; Rigidity; Inevitable biological decline; Senility; Loss of psychological functions; Social losses; Sexless; and/or Unable to learn. All reflect common perceptions of growing older – ageist perceptions, therefore we need to “Flip the Script on Aging,” especially ageism.

Ageism can also be implicit.  Socially acceptable expressions of negativity toward elders is well documented and accepted unlike any other social group or “-ism”.  Therefore, implicit attitudes and knowledge about age is more important, where prejudice becomes unnoticed and uncontrollable. Everyone, to varying degrees, practices implicit ageism, as a result we all have to develop implicit behaviors and attitudes that flip the script.

1. Now let’s explore how aging can be perceived as negative, creating “bad” stress. Here are some myths/stereotypes of aging that are pervasive:

*To be old is to be sick

*You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

*The horse is out of the barn

*The secret to successful aging is to choose your parents wisely

*The lights may be on, but the voltage is low

*Older adults don’t pull their own weight

*I am having a senior moment – Cognitive decline

Tell me that you have never heard or don’t believe any of these. They are very common perceptions of aging and are negative and ageist! It is beliefs and behaviors like these that necessitate flipping the script on aging. I have many associates and friends that express stereotypical negative beliefs about their own aging as well as others. My goal with them and myself is to address that negativity and behave positive, resulting in flipping the script!

So how do we flip the script on aging? We need to be aware of how we say things and act. Saying things like “I am having a senior moment” or “I am too old to ride a bicycle” promotes negative stereotypes of aging and promotes ageism. We may forget things or not be physical enough to enjoy activities but this happens at all ages, not just old age. Old people can learn new things, perform physical activity, and celebrate everyday positivity. We need to develop positive examples of being old to combat ageism and flip the script on aging. In addition to being aware of the language we use and being positive about our age, we need to sharing stories to learn about successful aging, or have events that promote positive images of aging. Our northern Nevada governments are having many events during OAM that help promote flipping the script to more positive aging.

We all need to align with the 2025 Older Americans Month theme and dedicate ourselves to empower the aging process and educate and encourage all adults to prepare and plan for the future while actively participating in the positivity of the present.

Washoe County Senior Services current website has published the following about OAM 2025 which pulls from the connections theme from last year’s focus of OAM:

Join us in promoting the benefits of connecting with others. Here are some ways you can participate.

• Share facts about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection and how it contributes to overall well-being.
• Promote resources that help older adults engage, like community events, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities.
• Connect older adults with local services, such as transportation, that can help them overcome obstacles to achieving or maintaining meaningful relationships.
• Encourage partners to host a connection-centric event or program focused on older adult mentors to youth, peer-to-peer support, or similar efforts.
• Challenge professional and personal networks to prioritize meaningful social connections and share the benefits.
• Inspire older adults to share what connection means to them on social media using the social media tag #FliptheScriptOnAging.

Clearly connecting with others is critical in healthy aging and contributes to “Flipping the Script on Aging” and combating ageism. What better way to “add life to years”.

Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. is CEO of the Center for Healthy Aging. Dr. Weiss welcomes your comments on this column. Write to him at [email protected] or c/o Center for Healthy Aging, 11 Fillmore Way, Reno, NV 89519.