A simple attitude change could add years to your life AND life to your years (and to those around you) — age discrimination

Older people in countries with low levels of respect for seniors are at risk for worse mental and physical health as well as higher levels of poverty, the Orb Media study found.

In a nutshell, older people become poorly by being treated poorly.

Researchers also used global data to survey 150,000 people in 101 countries to discover levels of respect for older adults, which varied from country to country. Both the UK and USA featured alongside Japan in the bottom third – a surprising result given the respect that Japanese people are often known for affording to their elder. The data may have revealed a disjoint between how society believes older people are treated and the how those older people actually feel treated.

Canada also featured in the bottom third. One Canadian expert pointed out that the study may not entirely reflect Canada’s position with the elderly.

“Our human rights legislation, federally and provincially provide protections against age discrimination. And many countries do not have these protections.”

— Christopher McLeod, associate professor at the University of British Columbia’s school of population and public health

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