Celebrate Age Without Limits

Negative assumptions about age are widespread. Comments like ‘Stuck in their ways’, ‘bit of a dinosaur’ or ‘time to slowdown’. Everyday phrases that may seem harmless, but as they become part of the social consciousness they impact how we view people who are older, without is evening realising it!

And when you’re on the receiving end they chip away at confidence, influence decisions and can limit opportunities in work, health, relationships and community life. Ageism is one of the most widespread forms of prejudice, but it often goes unnoticed and as a result, also unchallenged.

The Facts

• Only 2.5% of older people (aged 65 and over) live in care homes, yet public perception think its 25%
• Older consumers are responsible for half of all household spending
• A third of the workforce is over 50
• Just 1 in 4 TV ads feature characters aged 50 or older and 1 in 20 feature characters 70 or older

What used to be considered old isn’t ‘old’ any more. 50 is the new 40 or 70 is the new 60…or should that be 50?  People in the second half of their lives offer experience, perspective, nuance and life knowledge. That can’t be downloaded from an app. It’s earned, it’s lived and it’s authentic. It’s the generations that know life without the internet and mobile phones. Just a few TV channels…that finished at midnight with the national anthem. The generations that are old enough to appreciates nostalgia but, embrace new technology.

So What Can you Do?

Here are five actions you can take today, to make a difference to your tomorrow…

• Question Language and assumptions

Instead of ‘You look great for your age’ better is ‘You look great.’

Instead of ‘Stuck in your ways’ better is ‘Why do you do it that way?’

• Get Talking

Talk about it with friends, family and colleagues – have they experienced ageism either overtly or without realising?

• Improve representation

Look at the media. Who is  visible? Who’s missing? Call on media and advertisers to limit stereotypes. Could you post something positive on your own social media?

• Learn more

Get inspired by people’s experiences of ageism and how they challenged it? Do you have your own hidden prejudices? What is old to you? Why? Question yourself and your own perceptions.

• Get involved

National age without limits day on Wednesday 10 June aims to tackle ageism in the workplace. Could you create an event at your workplace that helps make the a change?

You can find out more and loads of resources and ways to get involved at www.agewithoutlimits.org