The Geriatric Population Is Surging Across The World

The geriatric population is surging across the world, â€Å"Triumphant advances in medicine combined with economic and social development are resulting in increased longevity in the world’s population† (Hanson, 2014, p. 225). Aging is an undeniable process, and though there are techniques and procedures that may minimize the appearance of aging, the biological process itself, is unpreventable. However, it is ironic that the Western world correlates and glorifies youth and beauty whilst it simultaneously holds prejudiced views against the aging process, even though every individual ages with every second that passes. Stereotypes are exaggerated, prejudiced, and distorted generalizations that degrade individual uniqueness by creation of†¦show more content†¦The cost of living especially in Canada is a steady increase and as a result, job security is of paramount importance for everybody in the general public. Without a stable and proper income, an individual†™s existence is difficult to maintain. Additional stressors such as an increase in age and stereotypical views embedded into society are elements that must be overcome. This is the situation older adults are facing in the Canadian society nowadays. By definition, â€Å"ageism refers to prejudice against older people† (Novak, Campbell Northcott, 2014, p. 7). Ageism is relevant to the discussion of why it is more difficult for the senior population to access jobs to maintain living expenses. Stereotypical beliefs such as â€Å"older adults are commonly considered to be less productive and less trainable and promotable than younger workers,† (Malinen Johnston, 2013, p. 446) can increase discrimination leading to barriers in job access. This results in a forced and early retirement, which can be causative factors of lowered standards of living for the elderly (Noelke Beckfield, 2014). Age discrimination can also impede on opportunities for employment due to stereotypes employers might have during job application evaluations and interviews (Irving, 2015). Despite evidence that there are â€Å"no performance differences between older and younger employees, or that older workers even outperform younger employees, discrimination against older workers can be evident†