The Alliance of Age Sector NGOs (the Alliance) represents the collective thinking of seven significant NGOs working in the age sector. These include Active Retirement Ireland, Age & Opportunity, ALONE, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Irish Hospice Foundation, The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and Third Age. The Alliance collaborate to combat ageism ensuring Ireland become a better place to grow older. This is the second edition of the “Telling It Like It Is” Series. The current report informs about the negative impact of ageism and how it is experienced in the Irish setting. The report presents evidence-based research supporting the negative impact of ageism on older people’s physical mental and sexual health, and the links between ageism and social isolation and loneliness.
Key figures highlight that 42% of 50-64-year-olds, and 52% of over 65s experience age discrimination. Broken by settings, such discrimination is most evident when looking for work (87%). Ageism exacerbated with the COVID-19 Irish response. Age discrimination is analysed in different Irish contexts including the nursing homes, the healthcare system and day to day services, across death and bereavement, the workplace, housing, pension and lifelong learning, the media, digital ageism and wider discourse. This report calls for urgent action to combat ageism by recommending 9 specific actions to be taken to reduce ageism. The establishment of an Independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People is recommended to revisit and implement existing policies like the National Positive Ageing Strategy. This report highlights the crucial need of an attitude change towards ageing, recognizing the contributions of older people and ensuring they are treated with respect and equality. A comprehensive approach that involves government, business, media and society is necessary to root out ageism and create an inclusive environment for all ages.
