Office of Academic Affairs
Images of Aging
Research Report
June 2006
Can America afford to grow older? Can we do so with intergenerational fairness? How can we help ensure that older adults are valued in our society? What pressures will the Baby Boomers put on our economy?
These issues are all part of the changing image of age. The aging of the boomers and the increased longevity of Americans present real financial and social challenges to all sectors of society. At the same time, the boomers' perceptions of their own aging are creating a radically different definition of what it means to be middle-aged or old.
AARP believes that as a nation, we can balance longer lives with the pressures the aging of the boomers and increased longevity put on our social systems. To that end, it has created Reimagining America: How America Can Grow Older and Prosper. This "Blueprint for the Future" lays out an ambitious but realistic agenda for social change that will protect the viability of vital public programs, protect the independence and choice of people as they get older, and remain fair to all generations. It is AARP's vision of how to promote economic security, transform the health care system, and create livable communities.
Reimagining America can serve as a valuable resource for teaching about the new image of aging. AARP and its Office of Academic Affairs have developed the following classroom resources for college and university faculty to use:
- A six-minute video on "Images of Aging" that was featured at the 2006 joint conference of the American Society on Aging/National Council on the Aging opening session.
- Download the Windows Media file for offline use by right clicking this link and saving the file to your hard drive (12.4 MB).
- Watch the video online (requires Windows Media Player).
- Reimagining America: How American Can Grow Older and Prosper. AARP's Blueprint for the Future is available as a PDF (491K, requires free Adobe reader), or print copies can be ordered free of charge by calling 1-888-OUR-AARP or writing AARP Fulfillment, 601 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20049 and requesting publication #D18486(106).
- Images of Aging in America 2004, a recent study conducted by AARP and the University of Southern California to better understand Americans' knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes about aging and older people (includes comparisons to a similar study from 1994). Also available: a Prime Time Radio interview with the researcher, Alexis Abramson, Ph.D.
- Curriculum guide in PDF format (87K, requires free Adobe reader) for teaching about images of aging, including topics to cover, a discussion question, and recommended readings. This guide in intended for use in one class, typically 60-90 minutes.
Comments and suggestions on the use of these materials in the classroom can be directed to the AARP Office of Academic Affairs.