South University NSG 4067 Gerontologic Nursing

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Online RN to BSN Nursing Degree Program

Media Perception of Ageing

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Media Perception of Ageing

Mass Media has always been a critical form of communicating the meaning and experiences related to aging between generations. This is because the mass media often plays the role of shaping the agenda when it comes to discussing issues related to aging.  The portrayal of the media does not only reflect the widespread level of ageism in society but is also going to largely reinforce the various negative stereotypes (Doron, 2018).  Also when the issue of ageing is depicted in a way that would be seen positive, the message is often to push the agenda against the process of ageing and defying the whole process as the only example of the process of successful aging.  

How older people are going to be perceived by the public is going to influence their respect within the communities and the whole society. When the media generates negative perceptions of older people as being inactive and a burden to society, this continues to impact the development of social exclusion and can lead to a structural barrier when it comes to individual health, employment opportunities, and social connections (Zhang et al., 2006).  Such negative perceptions will also lead to the long term loss of the benefit arising from the solidarity of various generations.  The media stereotypical views on ways that older people view themselves are also definitely going to impact the ways that they end up thinking they should behave (Graham & Kaiser Health News, 2017).  With the media prejudices, this can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies which will also limit the contribution of older persons to the communities.

Media reporting on aging is a very important indicator of how older people are going to look at themselves and how they will be perceived in society. The media both influence and mirrors societal perceptions.  They are going to look into adjusting their report to the level of world views of their audience which will also see them influence the public view regarding the issue of aging. This means that the media will also become agents of change by influencing positive or negative perceptions.  Unfortunately, in most cases, they will pick the privileging, outstanding sad, or negative stories and seldom good experiences (Graham & Kaiser Health News, 2017).  When for example one looks at advertisements showcased on the media regarding chronic conditions like blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions among other medical complications, in most cases the media is going to use elder personality to communicate the message. The same will happen when talking about impotence and other forms of body complications.   It is seldom common to see the media picking on a young person when discussing chronic conditions (Zhang et al., 2006).  In the end, these conditions will be associated with the older generation while ignoring the fact that even the younger generation in the United States and other countries are now contracting chronic conditions.

However, in positive regard, the older generation is also favored especially when discussing social and lifetime planning. For example, most media advertisements related to alternative therapy, retirement, and insurance plans benefits will showcase older groups who have been able to manage their health all through (Doron, 2018).  The aging population is also well represented when it comes to stories about positive lifestyle choices, including diet, physical exercise benefits, and promotion of various lifestyle products, like anti-aging products and supplements. 

Nurses have a great role to play in combating ageism and the aging process.  To fight off the issue of ageism, the myths and misconceptions of the process, nurses are required to understand the misconceptions that promote age-based discrimination both at the community and healthcare level (Wyman, Shiovitz-Ezra, & Bengel, 2018).  The most common misconception is that older patients are not physically strong enough to self-manage their condition and will require help and support.  Tasks such as getting oneself into a wheelchair or ensuring individual balance to prevent falls require physical strength (Zhang et al., 2006). Also, another damaging misconception is that all older patients may not be aware of their medication, dosages, and procedures.  This myth is usually offensive for old patients when healthcare providers assume that all old patients will require support as they are incapable of learning new material. 

Nurses can play a very important role by ensuring that they are up to date with the latest information regarding individual patients including the process of their condition (Wyman, Shiovitz-Ezra, & Bengel, 2018).  They need to encourage elder patients whenever they want to do things for themselves like waking up or moving to a wheelchair or when they would like to take medications by themselves without assistance.  The only thing that the nurse needs to do is to ensure that it is all in the right dosage and time (Wyman, Shiovitz-Ezra, & Bengel, 2018). As a way of ensuring positive regard for the aging population, nurses need to treat elder patients equally as the younger patients to some degree; this is important as it raises their self-esteem and helps restore hope which can also work positively to ensure adherence to medication and treatment processes. 

In summary, media influences on aging, and the aging population is often negative and in some instances positive.  As the population of the aging population continues to increase in the United States, it is important healthcare provides works in partnership with the media to promote positive aging and encourage the aging population to lead positive lives to the end. 

References

Doron, I. (. (2018). Introduction: Between law, aging, and ageism. Ageing, Ageism and the Law, 1-13. doi:10.4337/9781788972116.00006

Graham, J., & Kaiser Health News. (2017, November 14). How to beat the stereotypes around aging. Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/14/health/beat-aging-stereotypes-partner/index.html

Wyman, M. F., Shiovitz-Ezra, S., & Bengel, J. (2018). Ageism in the health care system: Providers, patients, and systems. International Perspectives on Aging, 193-212. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_13

Zhang, Y. B., Harwood, J., Williams, A., Ylänne-McEwen, V., Wadleigh, P. M., & Thimm, C. (2006). The portrayal of older adults in advertising. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 25(3), 264-282. doi:10.1177/0261927x06289479