Reaching the age of 70 doesn\u2019t mean a person\u2019s lost their value or their abilities, and it certainly doesn\u2019t mean they should be stripped of their knowledge or their right to have a say. Yet as any man and woman who reach their\u2002sixth decades know, that period of life ushers in a muted and aching transition. All of a sudden, they are no longer asked\u2002for their opinions, their points of view are ignored, and decisions are made for them for \u201cthe sake\u201d of their well-being.<\/p>\n
Infantilization: A Silent and Normalized Violence<\/strong><\/p>\n So, what felt like a genuine appreciation for one\u2019s years of experience turns into a need to control, masquerading as concern. Many older adults describe a sudden, unsettling shift in how they are treated. People begin speaking to them in a softer, almost childlike tone. Plans are\u2002made without them having a say. Their decisions are questioned and their choices are undermined with\u2002sentences like \u201cit\u2019s for your own good\u201d and \u201cat your age you shouldn\u2019t be doing that anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n What lies beneath the surface of this seemingly loving treatment, however,\u2002is a grave repercussion. Infantilization is evident when\u2002an elderly individual is perceived as no longer capable of thinking, making decisions, or comprehending their own life. This behavior is rarely driven by bad intentions. It usually stems from fear, misplaced concern, or a society that views aging as deterioration rather than experience. As a result, the harm is gradual and unfolds\u2002over time.<\/p>\n The High Cost of Losing\u2002Your Voice<\/strong><\/p>\n Studies have found that older adults who keep making decisions\u2002live longer and have higher quality of life. Their brain craves stimulation such as selecting, organizing, planning, working\u2002through problems, even making mistakes.<\/p>\n On the other hand, when people sense they are not being heard, they begin to feel of no use to their family and the society. And when the brain thinks it\u2002is no longer needed, motivation wanes and vitality fades. This makes for a\u2002vicious cycle: They lose their voice, they become\u2002passive, others take over, and they lose even more control.<\/p>\n When Love Becomes Control<\/strong><\/p>\n When this control comes from the closest family members, it makes things for the elderly even worse. Often, children and partners are convinced they are protecting the older adults in their life, but they somehow confuse care with control.<\/p>\n Internalized Ageism: The Inner Enemy<\/strong><\/p>\n After years of hearing \u201cyou\u2019re too old for that,\u201d many people begin to believe it. That inner voice saying \u201cI can\u2019t anymore\u201d was not born with them, but it somehow turned into a habit. This phenomenon is known as internalized ageism, and it quietly reinforces dependence and self-doubt.<\/p>\n Reclaiming Autonomy<\/strong><\/p>\n Luckily, the cycle\u2002can be broken. All people over 70 need to do is establish clear boundaries, challenge assumptions\u2002and limiting beliefs. With\u2002every decision they make, they become more empowered. After 70,\u2002people want to hold on to their health, their voice, their autonomy and their dignity.<\/p>\n One thing they should never forget is that life still belongs to them, and their experience still matters. And what is probably most important of all is that they should never give up the right to decide for themselves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Reaching the age of 70 doesn\u2019t mean a person\u2019s lost their value or their abilities, and it certainly doesn\u2019t mean they should be stripped of their knowledge or their right to have a say....<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":434,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nWhen others keep deciding for those over the age of 70, they don\u2019t just lose their autonomy but who they\u2002are. Slowly but surely, their confidence is worn\u2002down.<\/h2>\n
To avoid conflict or loneliness, many older adults slowly give in, and it starts with the small matters, then it goes to major life decisions until they no longer recognize themselves.<\/h2>\n