Aging Quiz – Answer 5
Physical handicaps are the primary factors limiting the activities of older adults
Answer: False – The primary handicap that older adults experience is the result of age stereotyping and ageism. Both age stereotyping and ageism have a negative impact on the older adult. They serve to limit the activities and opportunities available to the older individual. For example, an older adult might be discouraged from attending college (“What’s the point? You can’t be interested in starting a new career.”) or from dressing in a particular way (“People your age don’t dress like that.”). Ageism and age stereotyping may result in age discrimination. For example, a person may be fired from their job simply because of their age. Although age-discrimination is illegal in the United States for most jobs, it is difficult to prove.