October 2022
The 1st of October marked the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP), a day that was first celebrated in 1991. The purpose of the IDOP is to raise awareness regarding the ageing of the global population and to foster age-inclusive societies.
Throughout this week there have been activities around the world, including here in Australia, noting the contribution and accomplishments of older people. On the 7th October, we mark Ageism Awareness Day, led in Australia by the Every Age Counts campaign. This Day is aligned with the UNIDOP but focusses specifically on the issue of ageism.
Ageism, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), arises from negative attitudes, responses and actions which discriminate against people according to their age. Ageism can be systemic, relational, or self-imposed (as in thinking, I’m not [acceptable, welcome, able, etc] because of my age).
While discrimination against people over 50 is real, ageism is not just about older people. A recent study by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), What’s Age Got to Do with It?, reported that ageism was also experienced by young people and people in middle-age, with 63% of survey respondents having experienced ageism in the last five years. Interestingly, while we tend to associate ageism with older people, more respondents (74%) had a positive perception of older people compared with 55% who had a positive perception of younger people.
The ageing of the global population will be one of the most significant social changes of the 21st century. Improved healthcare, reductions in child mortality and increases in standards of living have all contributed to increased life expectancy. In 2018, across the globe the number of people over 65 was greater than the number of children under 5 for the first time in history. By 2050, there are expected to be over 426 million people aged over 80 as the global population continues to age. Lowand middle-income countries will see the most rapid increases as increased life expectancy and lower fertility rates lead to the same trends already experienced in higher-income countries.
Given the greater numbers of people over 65, it is essential that we change the way we portray ageing, talk about ageing, and prepare for our own ageing. We need to expect more rather than less of older people – the segment of our population with the greatest life experience and accumulation of skills, knowledge and wisdom. As the number of young people declines, it will be even more important that older people continue to contribute to economic, social, cultural and community development, whether through paid or voluntary roles. Training, access to opportunities, and changes in workplace policy to encourage people to remain in work are all important. The biggest factor in addressing ageism, however, is changing our attitudes and perceptions about what it means to grow older.
If you ever wondered whether the quality of life has to diminish as one grows older, take a few minutes to watch this video of centenarians talking about ageing and life, produced by the UN for the 2022 IDOP. It is a salutary reminder that we are not – and should not be – defined by our age. As the AHRC report states, “age is not the issue – ageism is”.
Stillpoint celebrates the contribution older generations have made to the world we live in, and the contribution they – and we, as we age – will make in the future to our families, neighbourhoods, and societies.