All Old Folks Are Not The Same
- Do you know older people who use a cane, wheelchair, glasses, or a
hearing aid? Do you know older people who play tennis or golf, swim,
jog, or do other activities? Do you know older people who still work
every day or volunteer? Do you know an older person who is very sick
in a nursing home?
- You can probably answer yes to any or all of these questions. These
questions help you to think about some of the older people you know.
They also show you that all old people are not alike. Older people are
just as different from each other and have as many different interests
and abilities as younger people do.
- "All old people are the same" is a stereotype. A stereotype
is a statement or belief about a group of people that is thought to
be true for the entire group. Another example of a stereotype is the
statement: "All old people are cranky." Just like younger
people, some older people are happy, some are cranky, some are healthy,
some are sick, some are rich, some are poor, some are short, some are
tall. We all have similarities as well as differences; that's what
makes us individuals.
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