Ageism remains embedded within the nations institutions with de facto discrimination in

the workplace, health care, language, and in the media the stereotype of inevitable age-
related disease and disability is apparent in the U.S. health care system, with only 10
percent of American medical schools requiring course work or rotations in geriatric
medicine; with less than 3 percent of medical school graduates even taking elective
courses in geriatrics1 million to 3 million Americans aged 65+ have been injured,
exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depend for care or
protectiononly one out of six incidents of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-
neglect is brought to the attention of authorities 60 percent of adults over 65 do not
receive recommended preventive services (Ageism in America, 2006).

These shocking facts highlight the prejudice that is ingrained within the American society
towards the old and ageing individuals. Though many Americans may not see themselves as
holding such biases the sad reality remains that our society is implicitly ageist and this ageism is
clearly portrayed through our interactions with those whom we consider to be old or aging. The
disregard that many Americans hold for the old and ageing population and their attempts to deal
with the new status with which they have been ascribed by society is examined in the film Las
Vegas by John Turtletaub.
An old faded post card showing a weathered Brownstone with the title Brooklyn New
York, snap shots with five kids fade in and out, first in detailed colours then in black and white, a
corner store tussle among six exuberant children; the scene morphs into present day and these
representations of youthful joy are thrown into stark contrast with the now old, declining and
fading bodies of the Flat Bush Four, shadows of their former selves. From this initial scene the
ageist attitude that prevails in American society is highlighted where there exists a stark divide
between the young and the old and where the old by way of their declining status are placed on
the periphery of mainstream society as they are merely relics of their former selves and have
outlived their purpose. Kite & Wagner (as cited in Nelson ,2011) notes that there is a prevailing
view that old age is generally a negative period marked by the degeneration of the old who suffer
from a decrease in their mental and physical capacities ,loss of identity due to retirement from
their jobs , loss of respect from society and an increasing dependence on others. The modern day
tableaux of what is now the lives of these four friends display all the prevailing stereotypes of the
old outlined by Kite and Wagner.
 The character Sam played by Michael Douglas provides the first example of the
prevailing ageism which is highlighted by the film. Sam now retired and living in Florida is seen
in a pool with his wife and other retirees exercising, however Sam unlike his wife and the others
is not a willing participant. Like so many aging persons he views people who Nelson (2011)
classifies as the old, old in unfavourable light. He is quick to poke fun and point out their
physical declines as he rudely insults them and their inability to hear what he says. He also pokes
fun at one womans decline in physical beauty when he asks oh sorry did I just step on your toes
or is that your breasts (Las Vegas, 2014). Like many in society who are ageing and those who
consider themselves to be young he seems to be blaming the older people for the fact that he is
getting older. Also in blaming older persons, and applying these negative stereotypes to them and
treating them with irritation, pity and patronizing speech he seems to be trying to trick himself
into the belief that he too is not growing older and will eventually die (Nelson, 2011).
The societys blatant ageism and the characters attempt to deal with same is also
highlighted in the relations and interactions of the other characters. In Turtletaubs portrayal of
Archies life the stereotype of the weak and helpless elder is highlighted. This is seen as Archie
who suffered a minor stroke is now viewed by his son as an invalid. He is not allowed to make
decisions on his own or carry out simple activities. He is told by his son Ezra your only job is to
relax (Turtletaub, 2014). The belief in his inability to function normally and his reduction to an
almost childlike status in his sons eyes is further seen in the fact that he has prepared a schedule
which he must follow, his medication is organized for him and the alarm on the house has been
programed to ensure his safety. This is further reaffirmed when Archie in confirming his
willingness to go to Las Vegas and displaying his rebellion against his new status notes that my
son wont let me go, I cant smoke, drink, eat salt or stay out past nine (Turtletaub, 2014). Here
Ezras actions though carried out in an attempt to protect his father is unintentional or inadvertent
ageism (Ageism in America, 2006)
The characters Billy and Paddy are used to highlight different societal perceptions of the
ageing and their situations also highlight the disregard with which our society treats the ageing.
Billy like so many of societys ageing seems to be desperately trying to escape the inevitable and
does not wish to accept his own mortality. As such he uses measures such as cosmetic surgery to
hide his ageing and his friends laughingly note that he has used the hair from his ass to replace
that which he has lost from his head (Turtletaub, 2014). Also in an attempt to come to terms with
his ageing he seeks to marry a younger woman who he ironically proposed to at his mentors
funereal when confronted with the reality of his own mortality. He is even willing to take the
open disrespect with which his fiances father treats him and overlook the obvious fact that he
doesnt love her and she is obviously only marrying him for his money. Paddy on the other hand
represents the ageing that has lost all hope and is simply waiting to die. Paddy is portrayed as the
traditional grumpy old man who is unwilling to accept that he still has a role to play in society.
As such he has withdrawn himself from doing normal activities and seeks to ostracize those who
wish to connect with him.
In addition to using the mens individual situations to highlight ageist stereotypes their
interactions as a group within Las Vegas also reveal the disregard with which the society treats
the old and ageing and some of the disparaging beliefs that the members of society hold in
relation to them. Sam is used to present a comical view of the sexuality of the aging as he is
given a condom by his wife and a Viagra and when asked by Diana if he is any good in bed he
replies that he doesnt remember. These two characters though seemingly poking fun at
themselves highlight what the majority of the American society believes; that is that the old and
ageing are sexless. Additionally as to further compound matters as noted by the document
Ageism in America, physicians often neglect this aspect of elder care as they often do not check
for things such as sexually transmitted diseases among the old and ageing and nor speak to them
about their sexual health.
In the booking fiasco and the mens attempt to get the hotel room curtains to open another
stereotype of the old as inept and unable to understand current technological trends is also seen.
The open disrespect which the men are shown at the pool table by the young man and the hosts
reluctance and annoyance to be their attendant also highlights the unfavourable light in which the
old is viewed by the majority of the society. These characters behave this way because as is
noted the younger person may feel more comfortable openly expressing such prejudice against
older adults, feeling perfectly fine about doing so, because he/she likely wouldnt recognize it as
a bad type of prejudice, condemned by society ( Nelson 2011).
Though the characters in the end overcome by learning a valuable lesson about
themselves and reclaiming the part of themselves which they had seemed to have forgotten, they
also serve to teach us valuable lessons about the old and the prejudices we hold against them.
Archie teaches that the ageing still have a lot offer to us through the wisdom he imparts to the
young man and also affirms that they are not children but very much alive and have a lot to offer.
Lessons too are learnt from Sam and how he teaches the young lady to value love as well the
other two characters.
As health care professionals we should endeavour to not let our prejudices override our
interactions with old and ageing in our care. We should make ourselves cognizant of the issues
surrounding them and try not to intentionally be biased in our dealings with them. Additionally
reform should be taken within the health care sector which is geared towards eliminating both
intentional and unintentional ageism. Also more efforts should be made to make Americans
aware that this is a very real issue which is affecting a large cross section of our population. As
McGivern (2005) notes age discrimination erodes the values we espouse for our society, as well
as for our health and social services. It is, in fact, the antithesis of these values: it devalues and
excludes people; 3it refuses to see people as individuals; it rejects difference and diversity; it
fails to treat people with dignity and respect; it denies people choices; and it strips people of the
power to be independent, active participants in life. Given the fact that ageism by its very
nature seeks to erode the values of health care system we must ensure that where necessary state
and nationwide legislation is passed to combat ageism. The societys view of the old and ageing
must also be changed and more focus must be given to developing medical studies and
innovations around the old and aging.
 References

International Longevity Center (2006).Ageism in America. Retrieved From:

aging.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/Ageism_in_America.pdf

McGivern,Y (2005). From Ageism to Age Equality: Addressing the Challenges,

Conference Proceedings. Retrieved From:
www.ncaop.ie/publications/research/reports/86_Ageism_Conf_Procs.pd

Nelson, T. ( 2011). Ageism: The Strange Case of Prejudice Against the Older You.
Disability and Aging Discrimination, Perspectives in Law and Psychology
Springer. Retrieved From: link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4419-
6293-5_2