UK 'ageism epidemic' reveals over quarter of adults say they have been victims of ageism

Over three million people over the age of 65 in the UK say they have been victims of ageism and our perceptions are blighted by "ageist attitudes", according to a new report.

The Vision for Later Life in Britain report by McCarthy Stone, a developer and manager of retirement communities, has highlighted the scale of how “ageism dehumanizes” the most vulnerable and disabled preventing them from getting the support and opportunities they need in later life.

The report found that ageism which most commonly manifests itself in negative stereotypes and derogatory terminologies such as ‘pensioners’, ‘old fogey’ and ‘codger’, is fuelling continued misrepresentation of older people within society and a lack of understanding about later life as 43 per cent of people under 65 fear they’ll be regarded as frail and somehow less important in older age, yet more than half of over 65s say they actually feel more confident and resilient in later life.

John Tonkiss, chief executive of McCarthy Stone, said: “Our report shows the UK is blighted by ageist attitudes that prevent society from providing the support and opportunities older people need.

“Ageism dehumanizes our most vulnerable and perpetuates misrepresentation. The post-pandemic era presents the opportunity for us all to re-set and champion the needs and wellbeing of older people in society."

The report also shows how this representation is having a negative impact on the lifestyles of the over 65s. Forty-one per cent say ageism results in dehumanisation of older people and a third (31 per cent) believe it has a detrimental impact on mental health. More than half (52 per cent) believe ageism creates a lack of awareness of older age groups’ wants and needs – a worrying consequence given our collective national responsibility to support the ageing population.

Based on a poll of 5,000 adults and in-depth interviews with later life experts and elderly citizens, McCarthy Stone interviewed Anna Dixon, chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, who said: “The current portrayal of older people in the UK is so negative, with disability and decline unfairly presented as inevitable consequences of ageing. Unless we take action now, we will see the continued marginalisation of our ageing population.”

'We are calling on government... to establish Britain as the best place in which to live and grow old'

Almost half of respondents (43 per cent) believe the government is the number one source for driving everyday ageism and negative perceptions of older people, and 44 per cent of those aged 65 and over feel that as a result, government policies fall short in delivering what our older demographics need. The advertising, media and entertainment industries are also deemed guilty of pushing negative perceptions of ageing.

Mr Tonkiss added: “We must collectively tackle the root causes and impact of ageism and create a society in which later life is filled with joy, happiness and purpose.

“We are calling on government and society to make positive changes to establish Britain as the best place in which to live and grow old.”

Through its report, McCarthy Stone is asking the government to action ten key policy changes to help tackle the country’s ageist culture, including:

• Increasing workplace opportunities, through the introduction of mandatory Age Gap reporting across all UK businesses and a ‘Kickstart’ scheme to incentivise hiring older generations into the workforce

• Increasing representation of older communities in Westminster, with a dedicated Minister for Older People

• Dedicated commitment to preventative health and social care for older people, including having the government publish its long-awaited Social Care White Paper and getting the NHS to deliver a ‘Now, Not Later’ strategy of preventative healthcare

• Using technology to foster intergenerational connectivity and understanding, with a technology and AI fund to develop innovations that bring multiple generations together, and digital education programmes and training to increase access to technology in later life

• Unlocking purpose and value from later life, with local authorities and community volunteering groups creating a volunteer army of 1 million more older people to support society, building on the 3 million older people who already regularly volunteer

• Driving fairer representation of older people in the media, with a media manifesto for the press to commit to promote more balanced coverage

• Improving accessibility standards of new homes specifically for the ageing population

The Vision for Later Life in Britain report can be found on the MacCarthy Stone website including a poll where the public can vote for their favourite recommendation, or suggest their own. For more information, go to https://www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/vision-for-later-life-in-britain-2021/