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Content: 1. In the absence of comprehensive national health insurance and pension systems, em- ployers confront high costs that increase as workers grow older, discouraging employers from hiring and retaining older workers. 2. In the absence of adequate lifelong continuing education that encourages and supports enhancement of job skills and development of new skills that keep pace with the job market, it is difficult for older workers to acquire the skills employers seek. 3. In the absence of an effective national health promotion and disease prevention pro- gram, and a modest investment in biomedical and behavioral research, conditions such as frailty and dementia among older people result in avoidance and uneasiness about old age, reinforcing stereotypes. However, ageism can be seen not only in these specific areas but also in making scapegoats of older men and women and in stereotyping them. It is seen in the deferral or denial of the realities of aging. Our language is replete with negative references, such as “dirty old man” and “greedy geezer,” that would never be acceptable if applied to any other group. ( See “Ageist Terms” for a list of adverse terms that reflect ageism in America).