Ageism is prejudice or discrimination against individuals based on their age; sadly, it is often directed at older people.
Ageism is everywhere, in our institutions, relationships and ourselves and often we are not conscious of it.
A recent United Nations report on Ageism claims that globally, half of the world’s population is ageist towards older people.
There were 428,615 people in WA aged 65 and older (16.1 per cent of the state’s population) at the last census.
A recent World Health Organisation study found that ageism permeates many institutions and sectors of society including health and social care, the workplace, media and the legal system.
Ageism has serious consequences for people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing including increased social isolation and loneliness, greater financial insecurity, decreased quality of life and premature death.
Ageism Awareness Day - EveryAGE Counts activities include a customised snakes and ladders board game designed to bring to life the negative impacts of ageism (snakes) and positive actions that can help to end ageism (ladders).
