When "Just For Fun" Isn't So Fun After All
As Halloween rolls around, social media fills up with photos of children dressed as “grumpy old men” or “sweet little grandmas”—complete with canes, wigs, and wrinkled makeup.
It's meant to be lighthearted and funny. But have you ever stopped to think about what message that sends?
When we turn aging into a costume, we reinforce a subtle, but powerful idea: that growing older is something to laugh at, something to mock or exaggerate. These small, “harmless” jokes are actually part of a larger cultural pattern known as casual ageism.
Casual ageism shows up everywhere:
- In birthday cards that make fun of wrinkles or “senior moments.”
- In TV shows where older characters are portrayed as out of touch or grumpy.
- In everyday comments like, “You look great for your age!” (implying that most people that age don't)
Individually, these moments might seem trivial. But collectively, they shape how we view aging—and how we treat older adults in our communities.
They can even influence how we see ourselves as we age, leading to internalized beliefs that getting older automatically means becoming less capable, less relevant, or less valued.
At Sage Solutions, we believe aging should never be something to disguise, dismiss, or fear. It's a season of life that deserves dignity, connection, and respect.
This Halloween, and every day after, let's start noticing the small ways ageism slips into our culture—and choose to replace laughter at aging with appreciation for it.
When we change the conversation, we change the experience of growing older—for everyone.
At Sage Solutions, we advocate for older adults and support families in creating care with compassion and respect.
Sage Solutions is here to help 💚
