October Novel Prep Challenge

I'd also like to comment on agism. I wasn't aware of it being so prevalent until we studied it. It's everywhere and my teachers called it the last socially acceptable -ism because while you wouldn't say something like, "You like beautiful for a black woman" or "You look beautiful for a person in a wheelchair," It's actually considered a compliment to say, "You look beautiful for your age." Also, you wouldn't likely see videos of people making fun of a blind people for not being able to see a computer screen, but there are tons of videos of people making fun of old people for not understanding technology. Making fun of old people for being slow, out of touch with today's society and culture, and having memory problems are just a few of the many, many things people make fun of older adults about. Yes, we still have pockets of socially acceptable -isms like racism or sexism when we make fun of Asian or female drivers. But nothing is currently as prevalent as agism.

Another example, aside from it being harder to get a job, is that older people are often passed over for promotion, even though they may be more qualified and have more experience. And we read a study where the average worker makes the most in their 40's, not uncommonly choosing or being forced to take a lower paying job as they age into their 50's and 60's, even in their same company, just to ensure job security. There are many countries where workers are literally forced to retire at a certain age (even Asian countries where older adults are often assumed to be more appreciated) and in most (all?), they are at least informally forced into retirement.

They are also not typically a target for advertising but are typically a target for scammers. They are invited to things less often, especiallyas they start needinga cane or walker. They are more likely to be ignored in a sales situation if there is a younger person, especially if the younger person is attractive (always an issue at any age). There aren't as much media geared towards them or even including them that doesn't have negative portraits such as the grouchy old man that the younger beautiful woman or adorable kid befriends and makes the old person nice.

Agism is everywhere and so accepted, we don't even see it. Youth is celebrated and that's growing even in Asian countries. I did a study abroad in Korea and older adults are no longer appreciated or honored like they used to be. Korea has become a mecca for anti-aging (another agist idea) products and technology. We saw tons of older adults sitting alone in parks, not even talking to each other. When we approached and asked some questions to one, he said they had a lot of resentment towards their kids because they had cared for both their own parents and poured all their money into their kids' education and experiences, only to be abandoned and left unable to care for themselves after being forced to retire due to the law. It was really sad.

While most (in the US) live at home, if you are in a senior living center, research shows you get better treatment by the facility if you have a regular visitor, even if it's your pizza boy's nephew. It doesn't matter who it is, so long as someone regularly visits. Your older character could regularly visit someone in a senior care facility and you could even use that as a way for them to talk things out. Whether they are actually interacting with the person and getting responses or they are visiting someone who is perhaps non-responsive for whatever reason, it can provide a chance for your character to get revelations and insight. Plus, you could even mention that they visit the other person because they know this is true. Educate the audience a tad. Better treatment is often especially obvious if the person has dementia or is otherwise unable to communicate such as from a stroke or whatever. Because they can't complain.

Good luck!