Prejudice towards senior citizens as a factor of their victimization

The demographic situation in Russia is marked by annual increase of the share of senior citizens in the population. Care for the older generation becomes a priority direction of social policy, and victimization of senior citizens is one of relevant problems. Such factors as age, gender and socio-economic status are generally considered as increasing the risk of victimization of senior citizens. Of associated factor is ageism - prejudice towards the older generation. Stereotypes related to old age are often accepted not only by young people but also by the old. The older generation strives to correspond to the positive stereotypes, keeping a general image of a senior citizen which is often very attractive for criminals. Prejudice among specialists of helping professions also have a negative impact on psychological and physical condition of senior citizens. The existence of ageism by itself increases the distance between young people and older generation which eventually increases the social isolation of the latter.