On the cusp of my own senior’s card, I’m rethinking my ageism

July 16, 2026 — 7:30pm

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I am six months away from getting a senior’s card, and I’m not unhappy about it. While promotions for hearing aids and make-up tips for the mature woman are unavoidable, I can choose to ignore the internalised ageism that risks taking up residence in my midlife psyche, perpetuating negative stereotypes.

Internalised ageism is when we believe we are the old dogs that can’t be taught new tricks. A Spanish study published last year cites psychological flexibility as a key factor to unshackling yourself from the mentally rigid tripwires of ageing. It is our inflexibility that could be our downfall as we struggle to embrace new ideas and double down on our old, rusted-on notions. The message is clear – don’t become stuck in your ways.

Yet as I proclaim I will not succumb to ageism, especially the internal type, my cognitive dissonance is standing next to me with her arms crossed and looking very judgmental. You see, I could be accused of being externally ageist myself.

This started as a young adult, when my image of a doctor was that of........

© The Age