
Disrupting Ageism
From Theory to Practice
- 1st Edition - November 1, 2025
- Latest edition
- Editor: Tracey Gendron
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 3 8 2 7 - 4
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 3 8 2 8 - 1
Disrupting Ageism: From Theory to Practice delves deep into the issue of ageism in society, guiding readers through an eye-opening journey. Part One explores the influence of age… Read more

Disrupting Ageism: From Theory to Practice delves deep into the issue of ageism in society, guiding readers through an eye-opening journey. Part One explores the influence of ageism on physical and brain health, identity, and trauma, while highlighting its intersection with other forms of discrimination, such as ableism. Through poignant anecdotes and thought-provoking research, the book underscores the distressing reality of ageism's role in instances of abuse. Part Two focuses on solutions to break the shackles of ageism, uncovering its subtleties in healthcare, industry, and media. It also dissects the portrayal of older adults, policy, politics, and law.
Part Three emphasizes intergenerational programming, adult education, and the power of individual narratives in reshaping perceptions, fostering meaningful social connections, and addressing broader societal factors that contribute to loneliness.
Part Three emphasizes intergenerational programming, adult education, and the power of individual narratives in reshaping perceptions, fostering meaningful social connections, and addressing broader societal factors that contribute to loneliness.
- Provides evidence that is grounded in gerontological theory, the evidence-based and gerontological practice
- Addresses topics including how ageism intersects with other forms of oppression, how ageism is a form of trauma, and how ageism can be related to abuse in later life
- Presents an examination of solutions to combat ageism in various domains of society
- Focuses on the construction of elderhood, both at the societal and individual levels
Researcher and students in gerontology, psychology, sociology, social work, health professions
Part 1: Ageism in society: impact
1. Introduction to ageism
Jenny Inker, Andrea Price, Deborah Hoskin and Tracey Gendron
2. Age perceptions and physical health: implications for physiology, function, and well-being
Caroline Williams, Tracey Gendron and Leland Waters
3. Ageism and brain health
Faika Zanjani, Kennedy O'Donnell and Cate Newbanks-Hawks
4. Trauma and ageism: intersections of harm across the lifespan
Gigi Amateau, Cate Hawks and Catherine MacDonald
5. Cumulative disadvantage, ageism, and intersectionality
Aisling Clardy, Catherine MacDonald, Reed Bohn, Ashley Staton and Brian Battle
6. Ageism hurts: studying the intersection of ageism and elder mistreatment
Sarah A. Marrs, Shannon Arnette and Courtney O’Hara
Part 2: Ageism in society: solutions
7. Ageism in healthcare
Patricia Slattum, Sarah Marrs, Emily Peron and Kris Geerken
8. Ageism as an industry
Annie Rhodes and Jennifer Pryor
9. Ageism in media, entertainment, and culture
Catherine MacDonald, Edmund Boxley, Emily Foreman and Madeline McIntyre
10. Vigilant efforts: combating ageism in US policy
Gigi Amateau, Caroline Williams, Annie Rhodes and Ashley Staton
Part 3: Ageism in society: solutions
11. Disrupting ageism with intergenerational programming
Jodi M. Winship and Kimberly Ivey
12. The social construction of elderhood
Jenny Inker and Bethanie Constant
13. The individual construction of elderhood: lifelong learning as an antiageism strategy
E. Ayn Welleford, Ramirez Rachel and Swatlowski Wayne
1. Introduction to ageism
Jenny Inker, Andrea Price, Deborah Hoskin and Tracey Gendron
2. Age perceptions and physical health: implications for physiology, function, and well-being
Caroline Williams, Tracey Gendron and Leland Waters
3. Ageism and brain health
Faika Zanjani, Kennedy O'Donnell and Cate Newbanks-Hawks
4. Trauma and ageism: intersections of harm across the lifespan
Gigi Amateau, Cate Hawks and Catherine MacDonald
5. Cumulative disadvantage, ageism, and intersectionality
Aisling Clardy, Catherine MacDonald, Reed Bohn, Ashley Staton and Brian Battle
6. Ageism hurts: studying the intersection of ageism and elder mistreatment
Sarah A. Marrs, Shannon Arnette and Courtney O’Hara
Part 2: Ageism in society: solutions
7. Ageism in healthcare
Patricia Slattum, Sarah Marrs, Emily Peron and Kris Geerken
8. Ageism as an industry
Annie Rhodes and Jennifer Pryor
9. Ageism in media, entertainment, and culture
Catherine MacDonald, Edmund Boxley, Emily Foreman and Madeline McIntyre
10. Vigilant efforts: combating ageism in US policy
Gigi Amateau, Caroline Williams, Annie Rhodes and Ashley Staton
Part 3: Ageism in society: solutions
11. Disrupting ageism with intergenerational programming
Jodi M. Winship and Kimberly Ivey
12. The social construction of elderhood
Jenny Inker and Bethanie Constant
13. The individual construction of elderhood: lifelong learning as an antiageism strategy
E. Ayn Welleford, Ramirez Rachel and Swatlowski Wayne
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: November 1, 2025
- Language: English
TG
Tracey Gendron
Tracey Gendron, PhD, is a professor and Chair of the Department of Gerontology and the Executive Director of the Virginia Center on Aging at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Gendron has a Master of Science in Gerontology, a Master of Science in Psychology, and a doctorate in Developmental Psychology. She is also the author of the book Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End it. Her research is focused on the language, expression, and perpetuation of ageism and aging anxiety as well as on elderhood as a stage of development.
Affiliations and expertise
Department of Gerontology, Virginia Center on Aging, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA, USA