What’s Your Aging Story? How Digital Storytelling Can Change the Way We Look at Aging.

Ageism has far-reaching consequences on the health of older individuals, affecting multiple dimensions of well-being. It not only reduces life expectancy but also has detrimental effects on physical and mental health. Furthermore, ageism amplifies feelings of social isolation and loneliness while restricting older people's access to employment, education, and healthcare services, all of which play a significant role in determining overall health. As the global population ages, addressing ageism becomes increasingly important. Digital storytelling can be a powerful tool to dismantle ageism by amplifying stories of aging, challenging stereotypes, and increasing education and awareness while reaching a large audience. The Age Collective, an online platform, was developed to share diverse stories of aging, encompassing both challenges and triumphs across different age groups in order to raise awareness of and dismantle ageism. We recruited participants through word of mouth in Edmonton, Alberta and the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario. We conducted interviews using audio or video equipment. Interview questions were tailored to the participant to reveal their unique story. Participants were also photographed. These interviews were condensed into short stories or videos with participant input and published on the project’s Instagram page (@theagecollective), YouTube (@TheAgeCollective) and website (theagecollective.com). Educational infographics on aging and ageism were also created and shared on Instagram. From Feb 2022 - Aug 2024, we have shared stories from 33 participants and created 27 educational infographics. We have 930 followers and received 4,272 likes on the Instagram page. The website, established in June 2023, has achieved a unique viewership of 1,562 in the past 30 days. In the digital age, initiatives like digital storytelling can reach global audiences, crossing cultural barriers and sparking international movements. By sharing personal aging stories, digital storytelling can humanize aging, dismantle ageism, and foster connections across generations in order to positively affect the health and well-being of older adults.