Action on ageism
Is our society “ageist”? And, if so, to what extent, how much does it damage the lives of older people… and how do we tackle this problem?
Certainly, surveys amongst older people themselves consistently reveal that many believe that ageist attitudes have adversely impacted their employment prospects or access to health care, or ability to obtain financial products such as mortgages and travel insurance.
The media must also shoulder some of the responsibility for their persistent use of negative, ageist tropes that demean or devalue, and erode people’s sense of self-worth. People as young as their 60s are often described as “elderly”, or as an “OAP”. And the obsession with using a person’s age by the media when it is often totally irrelevant to the story lends itself to society judging a person not on their abilities or achievements, but how old they are… when age is often a far less distinctive characteristic than (for instance) their education or political views.
Increasing digitisation also makes many older people feel left behind and “designed out” of society, while council decisions such as closing public toilets have made many of our city and town centres “no-go” areas for a large swathe of the population. The concept of an age-friendly built environment is a welcome and long overdue response to making our society truly inclusive.
The danger of ageism, like other forms of prejudice, is that it can all-too-often be socially divisive: older people are commonly depicted as either vulnerable or living featherbedded lives at the expense of others. In an image-obsessed world, it’s all too easy to forget that youth and beauty are not actual talents, and that older people have a major contribution to make too.
Get involved
In this Action Area, we hope to explore the incidence and impact of ageism – and how we can play a small but hopefully significant part in changing the narrative. We plan to run surveys and focus groups on this, as well as publish comment, news and research. To contribute towards this work, do please email info@theageactionalliance.org
The Age Action Alliance is supported by
Latest News
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“Older people need a voice”: call on Scottish Government to appoint Commissioner for later life
New report highlights just under three-quarters (72%) of those aged 65 and over in Scotland think the issues they face are badly understood by society and almost 9 in 10 (89%) people aged 65 or over in Scotland support appointing a Commissioner
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England’s first ever anti-ageism campaign launches
Are you ageist? England’s first ever anti-ageism campaign launches as new research reveals high levels of age discrimination.
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North East older people create a platform against ageism
Older people in the North East have created a new website designed for older activists to share their experiences and expertise with others.
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Are you ageist? England’s first ever anti-ageism campaign launches
The Centre for Ageing Better has launched “Age Without Limits”, a hard-hitting new campaign highlighting the issue of ageism.
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“A significant milestone”: Age UK London responds to Mayor’s Age-friendly Action Plan
“The launch of the Mayor’s Action Plan for an age-friendly London is a significant milestone in the city’s age-friendly journey. We want it to have a tangible impact and we will be the first to question any failure in results on behalf of older Londoners.”
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Government launches inquiry into the rights of older people
The Women and Equalities Committee has launched a new inquiry on the rights of older people, examining whether ageist stereotyping and discrimination is preventing them from participating fully in society, and is inviting written submissions on how to tackle the issues affecting their lives.
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New research finds four in five older people think the Government doesn’t understand them
Older people in England feel there is a lack of understanding and representation in Government and wider society, according to new data from Independent Age.
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Webinar gives an introduction to creating an “Age-friendly Community”
Exactly what is an Age-friendly Community? What are the challenges and opportunities? And how do you go about creating one? Now is your chance to find out.
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Pressure grows on Scottish Government to establish an Older People’s Commissioner
Over 30 organisations, including AAA members Independent Age, Age UK Scotland, Ageing Without Children and The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship, have issued a Consensus Statement on an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland.
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Legends of entertainment and sport call for the voices of older people to be heard
Sir Geoff Hurst, DJ Tony Blackburn, Dame Arlene Phillips, actor Don Warrington and TV chef Rustie Lee have added their voices to the campaign for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing.
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Charities and older people unite to call for better representation across government-policy making
A group of over 70 charities and older people’s representative bodies has made a united call for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England.
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New report reveals “devastating impact” of ageist attitudes”
The devastating impact of ageist attitudes on people, jobs, health, the economy and social cohesion has been revealed in a new report from The Centre For Ageing Better” called “Ageism: What’s The Harm?
Latest blogs & comments
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Celebrating the integral role of older people in our communities
Jessica Duffy, Good Practice Mentor from Leeds Older People’s Forum, explains how organisers can help increase participation in activities for the upcoming International Day of Older People on 1 October, and fully embrace this year’s theme.
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Do we need Commissioners for Older People and Ageing Well in England and Scotland?
Do politicians seriously believe that promising to keep the triple lock pension will address the concerns of older adults about access to and the need for social care, health, housing and public transport? By Mervyn Eastman and Shirley Ayres
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Older people’s mental health “being overlooked” through ageism and discrimination
The report, “Mental Health in Later Life” says that ageism and discrimination stop older people from accessing support, with poor mental health often dismissed by health professionals as an “inevitable” part of getting older.
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Whither an Age Friendly London?
After many years work, effort, and lobbying, London finally has an Age Friendly Action Plan. But, asks Tim Whitaker, a Trustee of Wise Age, will the plan make a difference and lead to concrete improvements in the lives of older people?
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It’s high time we created a “New Narrative on Ageing”
Shifting ageist attitudes requires widespread acceptance of a new narrative, recognising the value and contribution that older people make to society, says Peter Dale, Vice Chair of EngAgeNet and Chair of the South East England Forum on Ageing.
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Making the world less ageist… one person at a time
Jessica Duffy, Good Practice Mentor at Leeds Older People’s Forum, spells out the dangers of ageism and describes the work she is doing to combat it.
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No country for older people…?
Am I imagining it, asks Tony Watts OBE, or are older people routinely and systematically being excluded and discriminated against?
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“Nothing about us without us.” Yeah, right.
The “taskforce to transform older people’s housing” has been announced… with not one older person on it. If this isn’t ageist, what is? asks Tony Watts OBE.
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How many older people are about to lose their vote?
For reasons best known to the Government, new rules around voter ID will come into force at the May local elections. But where does that leave the two million voters ¬– many of them older people – who don’t have photographic ID? By Tony Watts OBE
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Regular tests for older drivers: sensible or ageist?
Rarely a week seems to go by when the call goes up for older drivers to be made to take regular eye tests, retake their test or be taken off the roads completely. Reasonable… or ageist, asks Tony Watts OBE.
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Older people: the cause of… or potential solution to… the UK’s problems?
If older people, as a growing demographic, are really going to provide positive solutions to society’s problems, we need to be listened to by those in power. By AAA co-founder Tony Watts OBE.
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Can packaging be “ageist”?
A story in the Daily Mail (writes Tony Watts OBE) describes an online petition hoping to get the Government to address the issue of packaging: in particular, its frequent inaccessibility to many older people.