Discrimination and rights
Find out your rights and how you are protected from discrimination.
Ageism
Ageism is discrimination or unfair treatment based on a person’s age.
What counts as ageism?
Ageism, also called age discrimination, is when someone treats you unfairly because of your age. It can also include the way that older people are represented in the media, which can have a wider impact on the public’s attitudes.
If you experience ageism, it can impact on your confidence, job prospects, financial situation and quality of life.
It’s important that ageism is tackled to make sure that nobody loses out because of their age.
How are older people discriminated against?
You may be fully aware that you have been subject to ageism, but in some situations it may not be so obvious.
Although ageism is often seen as a workplace issue, you may face it when you’re out shopping, at the doctor’s surgery, or even when ordering products and services over the phone.
Some examples of ageism include:
- losing a job because of your age
- being refused interest-free credit, a new credit card, car insurance or travel insurance because of your age
- receiving a lower quality of service in a shop or restaurant because of the organisation’s attitude to older people
- being refused a referral from a doctor to a consultant because you are ‘too old’
- being refused membership to a club or trade association because of your age.
How are older people discriminated against?
You may be fully aware that you have been subject to ageism, but in some situations it may not be so obvious.
Although ageism is often seen as a workplace issue, you may face it when you’re out shopping, at the doctor’s surgery, or even when ordering products and services over the phone.
Some examples of ageism include:
- losing a job because of your age
- being refused interest-free credit, a new credit card, car insurance or travel insurance because of your age
- receiving a lower quality of service in a shop or restaurant because of the organisation’s attitude to older people
- being refused a referral from a doctor to a consultant because you are ‘too old’
- being refused membership to a club or trade association because of your age.
Let’s change how we age
Our society needs to change.
We need to change how we age
The UK population is ageing. A greater proportion of us than ever before are older. Despite this, older people are facing significant challenges, and too often are completely unsupported.
1.9 million older people are living in poverty
Thousands will go days without speaking to another person.
Our health and social care system is broken.
We’re an ageist society – and the impact on older people is significant
Whether it’s loneliness, poor health, poverty or not getting the care we need to live with dignity, older people are struggling – and society isn’t adjusting quickly enough to help, or to see the potential older people offer.
We need you to help us
None of what we do is possible without you and your support. Will you help us change how we age?
Donate
Your donation today will make change happen by supporting Age UK’s vital services – from the Age UK Advice Line to our telephone friendship services.
Campaign
Through our campaigning, we’re changing the way older people are treated and represented in society. Add your voice today.
Volunteer
Help us change loneliness into connection, worries into answers, and even old clothes into much-needed funds that keep our services running.
Let’s do it together. Let’s change how we age.
