This paper provides an overview of ageism in Australia, examples (language, the media, elder abuse, and workplace discrimination), advice on how to stop it, and further resources.
Ageism can be defined as a process of stereotyping and discriminating against a person or people, simply because they are older. Ageism is endemic in our society. Older people often feel patronized or ‘invisible’ and can find it much harder to get or maintain a job, access healthcare, services or housing, or enjoy any manner of things our community has to offer because of how their age is judged. In an Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) study, for example, 71 percent of Australian adults over 65 reported that they had been insulted or mistreated on the basis of their age. With Australia’s – and the global – population getting older, ageism is a serious human rights issue for us all.
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