Julie Schoen (Shane) JD is the past Deputy Director of the National Center on Elder Abuse NCEA at USC. She maintains an Emeritus position with this group while directing the Department of Justice funded Elder Abuse Guide for Law Enforcement, EAGLE project. Julie brings her strong background in Medicare, Medicare Fraud, Financial Abuse and elder advocacy to all aspects of her positions. Certified as a Master Reframer by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) she welcomes the opportunity to bring these exciting concepts to others to incorporate into their lives. Julie is a well-known speaker at many national conferences and is published widely.
What's the problem?
Coming from a variety of different disciplines, APS, DA’s offices, Health Care Institutions and First Responder Law Enforcement, we all have our own terminology and perceptions of aging. However, aging is not the problem, but the way we talk about aging is. Most people, without even thinking of it, use language that describes aging as a negative experience. Unfortunately, this language contributes to “Ageism” in our culture, which is a stereotyping or discrimination of a person or group of people because of their age. This is a serious challenge in our culture and communities, translating into the unconscious thoughts we have, the actions we take, and the social policies, institutions, and systems we create. Ultimately, this may manifest in abusive practices targeting older adults.
What's the solution?
To change the way our society thinks and acts about aging, we must begin to change the way we speak and write. Reframing aging using a common language that celebrates our collective experience as we all age helps to contribute to solutions. The language we use truly matters.
Helpful Resources
If you wish to delve deeper into this topic, here are some helpful resources:
