Ageing, it’s something that is happening to all of us. So, why has ageism become such a big problem? And how do we tackle it? According to the World Health Organisation, globally one out of two people hold ageist attitudes, and two-thirds of Australians have experienced a form of ageism even if they don’t describe it as so. Additionally, according to the Australian Human Rights Commission, over 80 per cent of Australians believe that ageism is a problem.
Ageism refers to stereotypes (how we think), prejudices (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act). It can be directed at anyone (in Europe, there is more ageism against younger people!) — including yourself — and happen anywhere – such as the media, our relationships and workplaces. Ageism negatively impacts many of us.
It’s a major driver of elder abuse, affects people’s physical and mental health, and is also associated with isolation, loneliness, financial insecurity and a reduced quality of life. Ageism also exasperates other disadvantages like gender, race and disability, making it extremely harmful to our society. Interestingly, according to the research ‘Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging’ , it has been shown that people with a negative outlook on their own ageing live 7.
5 years less than people who have a more positive perception of ageing. The consultation for An Age-friendly WA: State Seniors Strategy 2023-2033 (State Seniors Strategy), released in 2023, highlighted the e.