Ageing with Attitude There are no age limits

Ashton Applewhite interviewed older people for her book, This Chair Rocks, to dispel myths, fears, and prejudices about ageing, writes Lorna Siggins

“COUGARS”, “women of a certain age”, “senior moments”, “bed blockers”. The English language is replete with words and phrases that show ageism is ingrained in western society.

Such phraseology not only reflects both sexist and ageist attitudes. It also suggests that “capitalism and ageing just don’t fit”, according to US advocate and writer Ashton Applewhite.