For older adults, experiences of ageism and ageist microaggressions—which have been shown to be acutely stressful for women, perhaps in connection with ageist beauty standards—can trigger a cascade effect of stress responses that can have an ongoing, negative impact on health, including inflammatory effects, depression and heart disease.
Author: Hilary Dobel
Hilary Dobel, MSW is a licensed certified social worker with a concentration in healthcare and gerontological social work, and a former emergency medical technician. Find more of her writing at hilaryvdobel.com.