043 Chapter 4 Pre-workshop beliefs about ageing and older adults Ageing is a complex process that includes a wide spectrum of individual variations and trajectories. Research indicates that people’s attitudes and expectations regarding ageing can greatly influence the way they perceive and interact with older adults.83 While stereotypes about physical and cognitive decline in later life may be true for some older adults, they may not necessarily hold true for all older individuals. Assumptions of decline in physical and cognitive function with ageing may lead to stereotyping of all older adults, which can influence our attitudes and behaviours towards them. Comparison of findings with other studies The Commission found relatively low ageism scores among its cohort of aged care and community workers prior to the workshop. These results are comparable to the average scores reported in several other studies that also involved research participants who volunteered to take part. For example: • • • An ageism study in the United States found similarly low scores on the AAS among its majority female sample of older (aged 60–80) and younger (aged 18–30) adults.84 An Australian study found scores towards the lower end of the score range of the FSA among its participants, before they completed an intergenerational program.85 A study in the United States found relatively favourable views of ageing among a sample of primary healthcare professionals, with total scores on the ERA-12 comparable to those from the respondents of this research.86 The pre-workshop survey results indicate that while respondents generally rejected ageist views and perceived older adults positively, they were also influenced by implicit stereotypes that portrayed older adults as vulnerable and in need of help. This is likely related to their expectations of age-related declines in physical and cognitive function. Group discussions held after the workshops gave participants an opportunity to reflect on their perceptions of older adults and ageing prior to participating in the age awareness workshop. These findings are discussed in detail in the following section.