Findings show that negative age stereotyping has a much stronger influence on important behavioral outcomes among older adults than does positive age stereotyping.

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The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the pervasive ageism that exists in our society. Although instances of negative or hostile ageism have been identified, critical attention to the nuances of ageism throughout the pandemic, such as the prevalence and implications of positive or compassionate ageism, has lagged in comparison. This commentary uses stereotype content theory to extend the conversation regarding COVID-19 and ageism to include compassionate ageism. We offer the ‘caremongering’ movement, a social movement driven by social media to help individuals impacted by COVID-19, as a case study example that illustrates how compassionate ageism has manifested during the pandemic. The implications of compassionate ageism that have and continue to occur during the pandemic are discussed using stereotype embodiment theory. Future actions that focus on shifting attention from the intent of ageist actions and beliefs to the outcomes for those experiencing them is needed. Further, seeking older individuals’ consent when help is offered, recognizing the diversity of aging experiences, and thinking critically about ageism in its multiple and varied forms are all required.

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) levels are known to be significantly lower in ethnic minority and immigrant groups living in North America and Europe compared to the general population. While there has been an increase in the number of interventions targeting these groups, little is known about their preferred modes of PA.MethodsUsing three cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (cycles 1.1, 2.1, 3.1; 2000-2005, n = 400,055) this investigation determined PA preferences by self-ascribed ethnicity (White, South Asian, South-East Asian, Blacks, Latin American, West Asian, Aboriginal persons and Other) and explored variation in PA preference across time since immigration categories (non-immigrant, established immigrant [> 10 years], and recent immigrant [≤ 10 years]). PA preferences over the past three months were collapsed into eight categories: walking, endurance, recreation, sports, conventional exercise, active commuting, and no PA. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of participating in each PA across ethnicity and time since immigration compared to Whites and non-immigrants, respectively.ResultsCompared to Whites, all other ethnic groups were more likely to report no PA and were less likely to engage in walking, with the exception of Aboriginal persons (OR: 1.25, CI: 1.16-1.34). Further, all ethnic groups including Aboriginal persons were less likely to engage in endurance, recreation, and sport activities, but more likely to have an active commute compared to Whites. Recent and established immigrants were more likely to have an active commute and no PA, but a lower likelihood of walking, sports, endurance, and recreation activities than non-immigrants.ConclusionEthnic minority groups and immigrants in Canada tend to participate in conventional forms of exercise compared to Whites and non-immigrants and are less likely to engage in endurance exercise, recreation activities, and sports. Health promotion initiatives targeting ethnic and immigrant groups at high-risk for physical inactivity and chronic disease should consider mode of PA preference in intervention development.

Rowe and Kahn (1987) proposed that successful aging is the balance of three components: absence of disease and disease-related disability, high functional capacity, and active engagement with life. This study examines the relationship between physical activity involvement and successful aging in Canadian older adults using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, cycle 2.1 (N = 12,042). Eleven percent of Canadian older adults were aging successfully, 77.6% were moderately successful, and 11.4% were unsuccessful according to Rowe and Kahn’s criteria. Results indicate that physically active respondents were more than twice as likely to be rated as aging successfully, even after removing variance associated with demographic covariates. These findings provide valuable information for researchers and practitioners interested in age-specific interventions to improve older individuals’ likelihood of aging successfully.