It’s time to talk about ageism and end its negative impact

Ageism is the stereotyping, discrimination and mistreatment of people solely on the basis  of age.

Ageism has a devastating impact on physical and mental health, longevity, employment prospects and participation opportunities. October 9 is Ageism Awareness Day.

As the name implies, the day is focused on generating awareness of the scourge of ageism in our society. The recognition of Ageism Awareness Day started in Australia but has been adopted across the world in many countries, including USA, UK and Canada.

Survey results demonstrate that ageist behaviours include:

• One in every three over 50s having had a job application rejected because of age or been made to feel they are too old to work if they want to.
• Nearly half of all over 50s have been made to feel incompetent in understanding and learning new technology.
• Far too many over 50s are condescended to in many retail spaces.

Ageism causes feelings of depression, worthlessness and invisibility.

Ageism expert Dr Krasovitsky says:

“Ageism puts older people down, saps their self-confidence and, according to the World Health Organisation, can take seven-and-a-half years off people’s lives.

Many older people feel patronised by being referred to as “young lady”, “young fella” without their true value and entitlement to respect, being considered.

There needs to be real and practical legal clout for calling out ageism in the workplace. The Age Discrimination Act has been in place for many years, but to date has failed to be effective in driving a change in behaviours.

Ageism needs to be talked about, at a political level, through the media and throughout the community.

Awareness is just the start of stopping this discrimination.

Every one of us, regardless of our stage of life, wants to age well. Let’s end ageism and its negative aspects. Let’s see more cases of age discrimination treated with far greater seriousness.

This is personal. Our elder citizens deserve so much better than invisibility, dismissal and poor treatment.

 Sunshine Coast & Brisbane Elder Law are experts in all aspects of the law in relation to Elder people. Contact them on 1800 961 622 or visit sunshinecoastelderlaw.com.au. or brisbaneelderlaw.com.au