When you think about it, ageism sounds absurd.
We want to prompt everyone to question familiar assumptions or comments about ageing and older people that we might previously have accepted.
For example, from learning the piano at 69, to completing a PHD at 75, to taking up online dating at 69, and developing new skills for volunteering at 70, we hear stories every day from supporters keen to show that older people are far from ‘stuck in their ways’.
We’re asking everyone to question ageism, challenge it, and change it, so we can all #AgeWithoutLimits.
Our new nationwide advertising campaign is now live until late May. The ads point out the absurdity of ageism through the eyes of a child, and whilst appearing light-hearted at first glance, they highlight how harmful ageism is for us all, limiting our opportunities.
Find out more about our new campaign at agewithoutlimits.org (link in Bio)
#Ageing #Ageist #PositiveAgeing
Tired of ageism limiting us as we get older? Wish you could smash these ageist stereotypes?
Us too! That’s why we asked special guest and star of BBC’s The Traitors @dianeakamum to help us shatter ageist stereotypes and a few plates along the way 💥
No treachery here, though. Instead, Diane joined #AgeWithoutLimits campaign supporters Jenny, Penny, and Bill at our rage room experience to smash stuff - painted with ageist phrases and stats - to show we’re so over being treated negatively because of our age.
Check the links in our bio to see what you can do to help smash ageism.
#Ageism #Representation #PositiveAgeing
Huge thanks to Diane, @pennyrutterford , @gennyjones_ and Bill for joining us at @smashitrageroom to smash stuff destined for landfill
Is where you work somewhere that older workers continue to grow and thrive?
Here are three great questions to start thinking about how you can help make your workplace more age-friendly.
You can also encourage your workplace to find out about the nationwide Age-friendly Employer Pledge, an easy way to show commitment to older workers .uk/employer-pledge.
None of us want to be limited by the negative attitudes of others as we age – let's challenge those perceptions.
#EDI #Inclusion #Recruitment #PositiveAgeing
It’s absurd that our experience is perceived as a hindrance rather than a positive in the workplace.
Yet we hear this time and again.
One person told us: “I’ve seen so many jobs asking for ‘bundles of energy’… You know what they’re saying: they don’t want older people.”
These kinds of everyday, ageist comments limit careers and opportunities. For example, comments like 'dinosaur', ‘fresh talent’ or ‘young blood’.
Too frequently the skills, talent and experience of older people in the workplace are overlooked.
Will you question ageism - and the outdated assumptions made about older people - so that we can all #AgeWithoutLimits?
#Ageing #Ageist #PositiveAgeing
This year’s Age Without Limits Day is all about the power of questions. But how does questioning ageism create change?
When we hear ageist assumptions or language, asking simple questions can make us pause a little longer and think a little deeper. Questions like ‘why do we think that?' or ‘where does that belief come from?' invite reflection, interrupt habits and help us all change the way we think about ageing. Small questions in everyday moments - at work, with friends, with family - challenge the attitudes and assumptions that limit us all.
Whether you strike up a conversation using a question as a prompt or bring friends together for a chat about ageing, you can be part of making change happen. Find more ideas and resources to help you get involved on our website (link in bio).
#AgeWithoutLimitsDay #QuestionAgeism #AgeWithoutLimits
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek starts tomorrow (11-17 May) and is an opportunity to champion a world with good mental health for all, whatever our age or stage in life.
Mental health conditions are often under-recognised in older people, and this means that they can go untreated.
Sometimes this due to the stigma surrounding poor mental health in older people, meaning that those most in need do not receive help.
In addition, due to commonly held stereotypes about older people, signs of depression and anxiety are often overlooked and assumed to be a result of getting older.
As a consequence, older people with mental health problems are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants and less likely to be referred for talking therapies than younger adults.
Depression is actually the most common mental health condition in people aged 65 years and over. One in four older people experience depression, but fewer than one in six seek help from their GP.
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is about taking action, because raising awareness is vital, but real change comes when we take action too.
This could be taking a positive action to boost your own mental health, or in your community, for example in your workplace or neighbourhood.
Find out more from @mentalhealthfoundation here: /yc2crkd7at
More about mental health in older age from Centre for Ageing better here: /57my8yr6
#AgeWithoutLimits #MentalHealth #Ageing
“When I started writing about ageism, most people hadn’t even heard the word. They didn’t know what it looked like or quacked like, or whether a reference to age might get them in trouble,” says Ashton Applewhite (@thischairrocks ), anti-ageism activist, writer, TED-talker, keynote speaker and all-round ageism expert.
“The confusion is understandable. To live is to age. It’s a fascinating, powerful, lifelong process every human being embarks on, unless they’re unlucky enough to die young.
“Nevertheless, mainstream culture portrays ageing-past-youth as something to fear and forestall. No wonder people use euphemisms like ‘seasoned’ or ‘of a certain age’ to avoid the perfectly serviceable ‘old’.
“No wonder so many cling to the flotation cushion of ‘midlife’ well past the third turn on the track.
“Ageism is any judgement on the basis of age, and younger people experience a lot of it. But in a youth-oriented society, older people bear the brunt. Why on earth discriminate against a group we hope to join?”
Read more about Ashton’s views on bias – and how we can overcome it – in her guest blog, which we’re thrilled to share on our website (link in bio).
#Ageism #AgeDiscrimination #AgeBias #AgeWithoutLimits #ChallengeAgeism
It’s wonderful to see Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday being celebrated this week, recognising the enormous contribution that he has made, and continues to make, to natural history storytelling and broadcasting 🎉🎉
Sir David’s familiar face brings the natural world, as well as the issues of environmental protection and climate change, directly into people’s homes.
Perhaps contrary to popular opinion, Sir David’s pro-environmental views are far from unusual amongst his peers.
Our research shows that people aged 70 and over are just as likely to be concerned about climate change as young adults under 30, and people aged 50-69 are as likely to have made lifestyle changes because of these concerns as young adults under 30.
People aged over 50 are also more likely than those under 30 to have taken action to tackle the climate crisis.
In fact, those aged 50 and over continue to make huge contributions to society; being the most likely to volunteer, vote and provide unpaid care. These facts bust the myth that older people are any kind of ‘drain’ on society or that they are less interested in the world.
Find out more about the huge value of older people’s contributions to society in the State of Ageing report from Centre for Ageing Better: .uk/society-state-ageing-2023-4
#Ageing #Representation #AgeWithoutLimits
📸 Photo credit: Peter Denton
Were you frustrated when we recently reported that one in ten of the population thinks that people no longer look good wearing the latest fashion trends at 40?
On a more positive note, around one in three people think there is no specific age when someone no longer looks good wearing the latest fashion trends.
It’s heartening that this multigenerational group of people we spoke to on the high street didn’t conform to ageist stereotypes about what we should or should be wearing, or doing, based on our age.
Familiar assumptions or comments that we often make around ageing and older age, like the phrases ‘too old for that’, ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ or ‘dinosaur’ aren’t harmless, they can shape how others treat us and how we feel about ourselves.
After all, don’t we all want to #AgeWithoutLimits?
Ageism. Will you question it?
#Ageing #Ageist #PositiveAgeing
🎥 Thanks for the fab film @voxpopsint
Frederick told us how much he enjoys his work, and how working can help bring a richness to later life.
Of course, not everyone is able to work, or wants to work as they get older. And we know that ageism can have a negative impact on our job prospects as we age.
But older people are out there doing these things, proving what’s possible. It’s not about ‘super-agers’, it’s about broadening expectations about what older life can look like.
What would you still like to do in your 90s?
#AgeWithoutLimits #Inclusion #Representation
Want to challenge ageism but not sure where to start?
Age Without Limits Day on Wednesday 10 June is a day for us all come together across the country and take action to end ageism - as individuals, with friends and family, in our communities and in our workplaces.
However much time you have, and whatever your interests, you can get involved in a way that means something to you. Whether you’re hosting an event, gathering with colleagues, meeting friends, or taking five minutes to reflect on your own experiences, whatever you do - big or small - will help create change. Together, we can create a society where age never limits anyone’s opportunity, dignity, respect or belonging.
Find out more about the day and explore our free resources via the link in our bio. You can also register for a free printed activity pack, containing posters, bunting, conversation starters and lots more - sign up before this coming Tuesday to get yours in the post!
#AgeWithoutLimits #AgeWithoutLimitsDay #QuestionAgeism #Ageism
🏃♀️ EXERCISE IS FOR EVERYBODY 🏃♀️
It was a pleasure to speak to fellow Bristol resident Anne Dockery recently about all things running.
She took up the sport at 52 and has since completed a triathlon totalling 70.3 miles while amassing an impressive medal collection.
Now 77, Anne discusses the many benefits running has brought her, from improved heart and lung health to lifelong friendships and an immense sense of community. And, she stresses, it’s never too late to start.
Anne also discusses the representation, or lack thereof, of people aged 50 and above within the fitness space - and argues that this is only discouraging the demographic from lacing up their trainers.
I thoroughly enjoyed our chat, and writing the subsequent feature around the Age Without Limits campaign. Hope you enjoy reading it!
📸 Alex Rotas Photography (@alexrotasphotography )
