Sunday October 12, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
Island Social Trends Thanksgiving Feature | Opinion-Editorial by Dan Levitt, BC Seniors Advocate
As families gather or connect with each other electronically on this Thanksgiving weekend, seniors may not be included the way they — or others in their family — would like.
Perhaps many families are finding new ways to celebrate their family time around a festive holiday. That’s an obvious path for some but not for others, as they grapple with tradition, economic stresses, and family expectations.
Sometimes the connections of extended are overlooked, such as grandchildren having the opportunity to be connected with grandparents at special times of the year.
Thanksgiving can be a community experience as well as one that is focused on family.
Here are some thoughts from the BC Seniors Advocate about how ageism plays into our social decisions that have impact on the health and well-being of older persons in our families and society.
Ageing isn’t the problem – ageism is!
by Dan Levitt, BC Seniors Advocate – October 9, 2025
“October 9 is Ageism Awareness Day and an opportunity to reflect how age discrimination manifests in our daily lives to reduce its prevalence.
“Ageism refers to stereotypes (how we think), prejudices (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) towards others and ourselves based on age. The World Health Organization says ageism affects people of all ages and it negatively impacts health, well-being and human rights.
“Last fall, my office asked British Columbians to take a survey on ageism and 9,200 people responded. 84% said ageism was an issue, and 54% reported being directly impacted by ageism.
“People shared countless stories of firsthand experience and expressed that ageism impacted them in employment, health care, finances, media and culture, social isolation, and personal safety. Older adults said they experienced “physical, emotional and financial abuse”, they saw “negative media portrayals, scornful stereotypes”, and they felt “brushed off by their doctor”.
“In their own words: “I’m getting the message that it’s time for me to step aside”, “I am expected to be old and feeble and not able to look after myself” and “I’m assumed to have dementia, or to be mentally simple and slow”.
“B.C. is rapidly ageing. By 2036, 1 in 4 British Columbians will be over 65. Despite this quickly shifting demographic, seniors are often sidelined and considered a burden. Others are made to feel they should make way for younger generations by retiring from their job, selling their house, or foregoing medical treatment.
“There is hope – the United Nations is drafting a Convention on the Right of Older Persons to provide a comprehensive legal framework, address discrimination, and hold states accountable for their dignity, health, and participation in society.
“British Columbia can be a leader in advancing the rights of seniors by improving access to health care; building more long-term care and seniors subsidized housing; strengthening rent subsidies and income supports; supporting reliable and affordable transportation services, and creating age-friendly communities throughout the province.
“Ageing is good. Ageism is bad. When we embrace ageing, we combat ageism. By eliminating all forms of ageism, we create a better future for everyone.”
===== RELATED:
- BC Seniors Advocate awaits long-term care action plan (October 2, 2025)
- BC Seniors Advocate: allocate capital investments for both long-term care & seniors-friendly housing (July 29, 2025)
- BC boosts rental assistance programs for low-income seniors & families (April 4, 2025)
- BC Seniors advocate sets directions about aging (June 5, 2024)
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