EveryAGE Counts is a recently launched advocacy campaign created to tackle ageism.
Ageism is rife in Australia, from employers enacting illegal practices that block older people from accessing jobs to negative attitudes towards older Australians on the street, in shopping centres and on the road.
“Ageism is not benign or harmless. It is a big problem because it impacts on our confidence, quality of life, job prospects, health, and control over life decisions,” says the EveryAGE Counts website.
“It is pervasive but often hidden. It can distort our attitudes to older people and ageing and have profound negative impacts on our personal experience of growing older. The impact of ageism can prevent or limit us from contributing and participating in our communities – socially, economically and as full citizens – and even impact our physical health and longevity.”
While ageism is an attitude most pervasive among younger people, it is not age-specific – even older people can be ageist.
Yesterday, EveryAGE Counts launched a quiz aimed at challenging negative attitudes and beliefs in an effort to find out who is ageist – be it conscious or unconscious.
“Because ageism has been accepted for so long, often our own biases are difficult to identify and acknowledge,” say EveryAGE Counts.
So, are you ageist? Why not take the quiz and find out?
How did you score? Why not share the quiz with your friends and family to see how they rate?
Related articles:
Ageism is engrained: Professor
Older Australians on ageism
Campaign to fight for older people
