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Chapter 15 begins with questions about how we perceive older people, and how society stereotypes old age. Learning about older people’s different experiences helps to challenge negative stereotypes. Communication with older people means learning about different conceptual understandings of old age, and how older people want to live their lives. Older people value their independence, and want to keep control. Concepts of healthy ageing and meaningful activities contribute to their well-being. Yet old age often means being alone, and having to face difficult situations of loss. Older people may sometimes respond in negative ways when they experience loss. The question ‘what am I meant to be doing with the rest of my life’ is not easily answered. The realities of old age abuse and illnesses like dementia are countered by efforts to promote a productive happy old age through age friendly communities, social clubs, friendly visiting schemes, and choices of housing. Effective communication means valuing older people as individuals; listening to the stories they tell about their lives, and recognising some older people’s resistance to well-meaning efforts to help.
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