- Ageism Awareness Day, on October 7, encouraging everyone to re-think community attitudes towards ageing
- Ageism can have devastating impacts on people's health and wellbeing
- More than 16 per cent of WA's population is aged 65 years or older
Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch will mark Ageism Awareness Day today by taking a pledge to end ageism.
Ageism is prejudice and discrimination against individuals on the basis of their age, with older people often disadvantaged by ageism.
It can have devastating impacts on physical and mental health, longevity, employment prospects, and participation opportunities, and is a contributing factor in elder abuse.
In September 2021, the Australian Human Rights Commission reported that ageism was the most accepted form of prejudice in this country.
The Minister's pledge is an initiative of EveryAGE Counts Australia, a not-for-profit organisation which runs the national campaign against ageism.
Ageism Awareness Day was founded by the organisation three years ago, as part of a movement to rethink the community's attitudes on ageing.
A new ageism awareness campaign is set to be rolled out across Western Australia, next year.
An Age-Friendly WA State Seniors Strategy 2023-2033 is an important initiative that aims to raise awareness and reduce ageism around the State.
More information can be found atEveryAGE Counts.
As stated by Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch:
"Ageism has a direct adverse impact on the lives of many older Australians, particularly in the areas of employment, aged care, and the provision of health services, and is a major factor in the incidence of elder abuse.
"It is important to mark the day as a reminder to all Australians that ageism is still rife within in the community.
"I encourage all Western Australians to take the pledge to stand for a world against ageism."
