{"id":3674,"date":"2025-08-22T19:20:38","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T19:20:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/?p=3674"},"modified":"2025-08-22T19:20:39","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T19:20:39","slug":"relevance-of-the-national-day-of-the-elderly-inclyuente-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/labor-inclusion\/relevance-of-the-national-day-of-the-elderly-inclyuente-language\/","title":{"rendered":"Work environments with older adults: Advantages, challenges and how to address them."},"content":{"rendered":"<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On the occasion of August 28th, National Day of Older Adults in Mexico, we share with you some of the advantages of having them in your work group and some of the concepts with which it is convenient not to refer to this sector of the population.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>From <strong>1998 the National Day of the Elderly was instituted in Mexico.<\/strong>this date works for<strong> recognize the rights of<\/strong> this population group that has<strong> 60 years of age or older<\/strong>. In our country there is the<strong> National Institute for the Elderly (Inapam)<\/strong>which commented in 2020 that<strong> this day is not only to congratulate them, it is also a day to<\/strong> \"<strong>to give them recognition for their current and potential contributions <\/strong>to the cultural, social, economic and political development of our society\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>real inclusion<\/strong> of older adults is based on the following <strong>principles of nondiscrimination and nonstigmatization<\/strong>. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide <strong>independence, protagonism and autonomy<\/strong> in the activities they perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2025, the National Population Council (CONAPO) estimates that<strong> there are more than 17 million people who are 60 years of age or older in Mexico.<\/strong>representing the<strong> 12.8% of the population <\/strong>total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, projections point to the fact that <strong>this figure will continue to grow as birth rates have declined and life expectancy has increased.<\/strong>. According to data from the Instituto Nacional de Estad\u00edstica y Geograf\u00eda (Inegi), the <strong>life expectancy<\/strong> for Mexicans is, on average, of <strong>75 years in 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of having seniors in my organization<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several <strong>benefits of having senior citizens in a company<\/strong>. The first and perhaps the most relevant is its <strong>experience<\/strong>. Recall that the time a person works <strong>provides you with knowledge that enables you to have a strategic vision<\/strong> and a<strong> extensive problem-solving skills<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other ComproDiverso articles, we have mentioned that it is relevant to have a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/labor-inclusion\/benefits-of-having-young-people-in-your-organization-and-company\/\">diversity in the ages of the members of a work team<\/a><\/strong>. The<strong> intergenerational coexistence <\/strong>is vital, as it can generate a <strong>mentoring relationship <\/strong>between a young person and an older adult, who can pass on their knowledge and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this regard, <strong>Patricia de la Guardia<\/strong>retired chemical engineer, we<strong> commented the following in a private training for ComproDiverso affiliates<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\"The coexistence of different ages is very enriching for us as well as for the young people, because it helps them learn how to treat the elderly. If the possibility of coexistence of different generations could be generated from an early age, it would be very beneficial\".<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, another advantage is that the people who are<strong> older women can be an example and inspiration <\/strong>for other generations, because <strong>have an adaptability <\/strong>which has allowed them to spend several years in the work environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How not to refer to older adults<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Socially, we have normalized many <strong>words, stereotypes, mockery or jokes that may be stigmatizing and offensive <\/strong>to the elderly. To take examples we have<strong> 'vejete', 'abuelo', 'pensionado', 'senil', 'f\u00f3sil', 'personas de la tercera edad', 'viejita', 'geri\u00e1trica', 'anciana',<\/strong> among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On this topic, <strong>Patricia de la Guardia<\/strong> he commented:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\"In the street they see an elderly person and many times they even push us aside. Or, because of some small oversight, they say to us: \"Oh, it's because she is old. That is an insult. Simply that anything is justified because 'she's old' is offensive\".<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The above <strong>words do not portray with dignity <\/strong>to this sector of the population. That is why some <strong>suggestions of how to refer to them are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>senior citizens<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>elderly population<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>language is very powerful <\/strong>and allows us to <strong>combating prejudice<\/strong> to older adults. The University of Utah comments that <strong>ageist language is often used in everyday conversations<\/strong> and we have it so normalized that sometimes we do not notice it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some <strong>tips<\/strong> that the University of Utah gives include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Avoid talking to older adults with terms such as 'elderly'.<\/strong>for this conjures up images of <strong>fragility and dependence<\/strong>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don't address them in a childish way or as if you were<\/strong> could not understand what is being said to them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recognizes your capabilities<\/strong> to make decisions and to understand complex situations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is important to <strong>not stereotyping what an older adult looks like<\/strong>. There is a large <strong>diversity in aging<\/strong>Many people are still active, working and doing physical activities at this stage of life. In other words,<strong> there is no one way in which an older adult should be viewed<\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discrimination experienced by older adults in the work environment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To put into perspective the situation of the elderly in Mexico, <strong>between 2012 and 2020, the National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination (Conapred) qualified 242 files. <\/strong>as alleged<strong> acts of discrimination <\/strong>to this population group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Relevant is that the <strong>42.7% of the cases occurred in work settings.<\/strong>. Some of the <strong>The most frequently mentioned rights that were violated were dignified treatment and equal opportunity.<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation points out in its document <em>Age as a factor of discrimination in the labor market <\/em>that <strong>discrimination is usually related to<\/strong> some <strong>stereotypes<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\"Discrimination is often supported by stereotypes or stigmas associated with age, for young people: inexperience or poor skills or lack of expertise; for older people: lower productivity, lack of adaptation to change, difficulty adjusting to flexible decisions or less responsiveness.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Returning to the case of <strong>Patricia de la Guardia, she will be 72 years old in 2025 and lost some retirement benefits<\/strong> because she was not allowed to complete her 28 working years.<strong> She was forced into a 'voluntary' retirement at the company where she worked.<\/strong> In this regard, she commented:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\"The 'voluntary' retirement is a very violent experience.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Having <strong>empathy<\/strong> with older adults in work and non-work settings is vital. This<strong> will make it possible to build a more humane and respectful society.<\/strong>where no one has to be made invisible because of his or her age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Did you know the relevance of the National Day of the Elderly in Mexico?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>With information from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gob.mx\/salud\/articulos\/dia-nacional-de-las-personas-adultas-mayores-en-los-tiempos-de-covid-19?idiom=es\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Government of Mexico<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datos.gob.mx\/dataset\/proyecciones-de-poblacion\/resource\/e9160552-769b-41ee-88d1-afc765552608\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conapo<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inegi.org.mx\/app\/tabulados\/interactivos\/?pxq=Mortalidad_Mortalidad_09_b87a4bf1-9b47-442a-a5fc-ee5c65e37648\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">INEGI<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scjn.gob.mx\/sites\/default\/files\/resenias_argumentativas\/documento\/2017-01\/res-AZLL-0992-14.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conapred.org.mx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/FT_Mayores_Noviembre2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conapred<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fundaciongabo.org\/es\/blog\/periodismosalud\/terminos-correctos-para-referirse-las-personas-mayores\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gabo Foundation<\/a> y <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcare.utah.edu\/healthfeed\/2024\/12\/el-poder-del-lenguaje-en-el-cuidado-de-las-personas-mayores-reencuadrando-el\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Utah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research and editing by Jos\u00e9 Manuel R\u00edos and Mildred P\u00e9rez de la Torre<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the relevance of the National Day of Older Adults in Mexico.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3679,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[70,71,72,73],"class_list":["post-3674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inclusion-laboral","tag-diversidad","tag-equidad","tag-inclusion","tag-inclusion-laboral"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3674"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3727,"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3674\/revisions\/3727"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comprodiverso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}