Policies that disadvantage older adults are best described as which form of ageism?

• A. Ageism
• B. Interpersonal ageism
• C. Institutional ageism
• D. Stereotypical ageism

Answer: (C)

Policies that disadvantage older adults reflect bias built into systems—rules and structures that create barriers for older people. This is institutional ageism, because the discrimination comes from organizations and the way they operate, not from a single person's attitude. It’s different from interpersonal ageism, which shows up in how people treat someone in one-on-one interactions, and from stereotypical ageism, which involves broad beliefs or stereotypes about aging. A policy that limits access or benefits based on age demonstrates the systemic nature of institutional ageism.