Report / Oct 18, 2022

Reframing Aging Through Images: Recommendations from Research

By Abigail Rochman, Colette Thayer, Patty David, Lona Choi-Allum, Laura Skufca , Luis Hestres , Jennifer John , Andrew Volmert

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Reframing Aging Through Images: Recommendations from Research

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Six Recommendations

Recommendation #1

When depicting older people with limited mobility, use images in which they are participating in activities or engaged with others.

Recommendation #2

When showing older people using technology, show images that signal comfort and competence.

Recommendation #3

In most cases, avoid images of “super seniors”

Recommendation #4

Use images of older people in workplace settings to help people see them as active contributors to their communities.

Recommendation #5

Use images that depict older people in positive settings and engaged in positive activities.

Recommendation #6

When possible, select images based on your target audience.

When it comes to framing aging, images matter. People over 50 have long been misrepresented in media—or left out entirely. This new research from the FrameWorks Institute and AARP provides recommendations for using images that reduce the prevalence of ageism and advance a more authentic picture of aging and older people.