This course is part of the UBC Micro-certificate in Healthy Aging.
This course examines how ageism shapes older adults’ everyday experiences and the care, services and information they receive. It focuses on unexamined stereotypes about aging, ageist language and assumptions in professional practice and systemic discrimination.
The course is designed for people who support older adults in health, community and volunteer roles and want to create more respectful, age-inclusive environments.
You will explore how cultural narratives, media portrayals and digital technologies can reinforce ageism, and why recognizing and addressing these patterns is critical in the context of rapidly aging populations. Through critical reflection and applied examples, you will connect course concepts to your own practice and identify concrete ways to reduce harm, support autonomy and dignity, and contribute to age-friendly policies and programs in your organization and community.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- define ageism and identify ageist language, attitudes and behaviours in professional and societal contexts.
- analyze real-world examples of ageism in healthcare, media, workplaces and community settings.
- apply evidence-informed strategies to identify and reduce ageist practices in your own professional context.
- create actionable plans to challenge ageist stereotypes and promote age-inclusive environments in healthcare, workplaces and communities.
- advocate for and support the development of age-friendly policies through written proposals, presentations or community engagement.
Course outline
In this course, you will work through four modules that examine how ageism operates across different settings and systems.
- Module 1: Cultural narratives of ageism
- Module 2: Digital ageism
- Module 3: Ageism in health and community care, research, teaching and practice
- Module 4: Ageism and older adult mistreatment
How am I assessed?
You are assessed through a combination of short online quizzes, applied reflection activities and a final integrative assignment that asks you to apply course ideas in your own professional or community context. Participation in selected online discussions or interactive activities may also contribute to your overall standing in the course. The course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Expected effort
Expect to spend a total of 12 to 15 hours engaging with course materials and activities over four to six weeks. This includes working through four modules, completing readings and short quizzes, joining optional real-time online Q&A and discussion sessions, and submitting reflection and application activities.
Textbook and technology requirements
There is no required textbook for this course; all essential readings and resources are provided online through the course platform.
To take this course, and for the best experience, we recommend you have access to:
- an email account
- a computer, laptop or tablet using Windows or macOS
- the latest version of a web browser or the previous major version
- a reliable internet connection
- a webcam/video camera and microphone for interactive activities
Requisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. Familiarity with working or volunteering with older adults, or an interest in aging, health or community care, is an asset but not required.
Course format
This part-time, 100% online course is facilitator supported and offered primarily in an asynchronous format, consistent with the micro-certificate’s overall delivery. You work through course modules on your own time over four to six weeks, and optional live Q&A sessions may be offered. You also have access to an online discussion forum, where you can interact with your peers and instructors.