It seems to be the last bastion of socially acceptable prejudice even here in open and progressive Squamish — ageism.
Most of us are guilty of it at one time or another, whether it be assuming an older colleague won’t know how to use the latest technology, dismissing the opinion of the senior speaking at a public hearing or not taking into consideration the needs of older Squamites in our built environment.
One in four Canadians acknowledge they have treated someone differently because of their age, according to the Revera Report on Ageism: Independence and Choice.
“The term ‘ageism’ refers to two concepts: a socially constructed way of thinking about older persons based on negative attitudes and stereotypes about aging and a tendency to structure society based on an assumption that everyone is young, thereby failing to respond appropriately to the real needs of older persons,” according to the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
Even when we seem to honour seniors we often do it in the past tense, such as the oft-heard “they built Squamish.” Looking at the current vital and contributing members of Squamish it is clear, our elders continue to build Squamish.
[We would name them, but there are too many to include here! Suffice it to say these members of the community are responsible to a large degree for our trails, art and music culture, environmental oversight, search and rescue infrastructure, local government policy and for guiding the way within the Squamish Nation.]
On an individual, group and government level it would serve us well to perhaps pause and reflect on if we are being unintentionally ageist.
We have so much to gain from the knowledge, experience and energy of those who have lived and seen more than most.
Recently, when the accomplished group of the Squamish Hospital Auxiliary got together to celebrate the ongoing contributions of Dot Diotte, 94, one senior attendee noted to The Chief that while there is more to do in Squamish than when she arrived many years ago, there is not a lot geared for seniors. For example, the biking infrastructure is great, she said, but what about walking trails she could use?
Other places, like Terrace, do have additional networks of — often paved — walking trails.
We are a town with a young demographic, but a healthy community can take its population through the entire spectrum of life.
Anecdotally, it seems more than a few of Squamish’s founders have left for other communities. That is our loss.
The Revera report recommends some initiatives that we could put into play in Squamish. For example, ensuring the concept of ageism is incorporated into the curriculum of our schools; assessing our accessibility for seniors in our businesses and buildings; and recognizing older adults as their own consumer market with diverse needs and interests, and cater to those.
Of course, we must also continue to work toward housing options that serve all in our community. We have so much to gain if we do.
