How Experience is being Ignored in the Workplace & on Telly

Aged 65 and 'On the Scrapheap'

"Most of the instances [of ageism] seem to occur on TV but I was also told that because of my age I would have to leave a job that I loved (aged 65 at the time). The [organisation] I worked for have since been told that this is illegal. My dismissal was blatant ageism. My boss was very sorry but he said that he needed to get a younger person into the position; he employed a woman of about 30.

When I lost my job I felt very bitter. My husband had just died and apart from the financial loss, I lost a lot of support and friendship from people I worked with. I have kept the friendships with many of them but really felt that I was on the scrapheap."

'A Cleaver Antique' 

"The other incident that prompted me to write this blog was that I was watching a quiz programme on TV and the male contestant of 73 who did extremely well was described as 'a clever antique'. I think this is insulting. I also note that on many TV programmes anyone who is in their 60's, 70's or even older is described with almost bated breath as if they are some strange species. Even on mind numbing programmes where they feature fashion or make-up information the age range does not seem to go beyond 50.

I am sure it is ageism. It is almost as if we don't exist and if anyone over the age of 60 dares to rear their head they are regarded almost as an alien species or treated as if they are a sandwich short of a picnic.

I feel that a wealth of experience and expertise is just being ignored and I salute any older person who rebels in whatever way they choose to do so."

Too Old to Travel?

Father made to feel 'old and vulnerable’

“My father, who is an experienced traveller, phoned up the local GP surgery to arrange for a yellow fever vaccination as he and my mother are going on an Amazonian adventure in a few weeks time.

The nurse told my father that in her opinion he should not be taking the risk of having the vaccination and that she would advise that 'at his age' it was too dangerous, she went on to say that if she had been consulted she would have recommended against my dad taking the trip at 'his age'.

Any risks associated with a vaccine are surely determined by someone's underlying general health not their age. My father is much fitter than I am, he cycles about 10 miles a day, at age 65 he cycled from Land’s End to John O'Groats in 9 days and since retiring 6 years ago he and mum have been round the world twice.

I am really annoyed because the nurse genuinely scared my dad. As of yet he has not been for the vaccination - without the yellow fever vaccination he will not be able to travel and so is potentially jeopardising his and mum's trip. He has said it has made him feel 'old and vulnerable' - neither of which I would readily associate with him.”

Elderly Disadvantaged by Environment

Patient falls and breaks hip at the hands of inadequate traffic signals

“I witnessed ageism from a green-man crossing signal. It did not happen to me, but it happened to a woman at a road crossing, within the last month. This women was attempting to cross at a crossing but the green man did not give her enough time, subsequently she rushed and fell, breaking her hip.

 [This is ageism because] there was a lack of accommodation to the fact that some citizens cannot move as fast as others.

This made me feel angry, but made the woman feel humiliated.”

Lack of Respect Towards Children

38 year old women observes that ageism affects us all

“I notice (and understand the reasons behind) the assumptions made by older people towards children.  However they often show them a lack of respect. I feel sad, that ageism occurs by people of all ages to all ages.”

Age Biases in Different Professions

Examples of how age-based assumptions vary by profession 

“When I was a newly qualified social worker and in my early 20’s. I experienced colleagues who doubted my ability to do my job, assuming I had limited life experience.  Service users also reacted in the same way and often preferred to deal with older workers.

My husband has also experienced ageism in trying to get a training contract and employment in the law, a profession that prefers people in their 20’s. This is a known fact and even some firms allude to preferring younger applicants on their websites.

 [This is ageism because] both instances made assumptions about our abilities/capabilities based on a generalised notion of age.

[This made me feel] frustrated, angry, foolish, and disheartened. It has made me less likely to equate age with experience necessarily and also I feel frustrated with society for limiting the chances of older people in the workplace”

When's the Right Age for Politics?

Candidate told to "come back in 10 years time"

"I put myself forward for Parliamentary selection in my home town and made the final shortlist of candidates.  During the selection process, I spoke with many members of the local party and was taken aback by one particular comment.  This was that I was too young to be standing and I should "come back in 10 years".  I explained that in 10 years time I would be 45 and could not predict whether my life circumstances would allow me to put myself forward at that time.  I explained I felt I had enough relevant experience and that I had been successfully shortlisted on the basis of this.

[This is ageism because] "the woman judged my ability of the arbitrary basis of my age, with no reference to the experience and other qualities that I would bring to the role."

"I felt frustrated that while working to improve attitudes towards older people in my day job - the value of experience, wisdom and perspective they can bring - I found myself being told I was no good because I had yet to reach a specific age by which time I would be deemed 'good enough'.  I also felt that this was one reason why women don't get on in politics and public life - they're always too young until they're too old - and in between maybe children and careers and battling gender stereotypes."

"It reminded me that having positive attitudes towards older people's value does not mean that they will necessarily see the value of what you may bring at a younger age.  As with all forms of discrimination, there is a tendency to write people off who do not conform to someone's idea of the ideal stereotype.  Age, disability, gender and other factors are not irrelevant - they make us who we are and diversity has an intrinsic value - but writing people off as too old or too young regardless of ability and suitability for the role is nonsensical and pure prejudice."

Patronising Health Care

"I don't want to get old as people do not respect you or consider that you are important"

"My 79 year old mother felt unwell so I called the GP to her home, after 3 requests he finally arrived.  He walked through the door looked at my mother and said "So how are you then, and if you say alright I am out of that door".  He spoke to her as if she was 6 years old and could not hear or understand him.  My mother was perfectly lucid 'normal' and could hear very well, she did not go to the doctors on a regular basis.  The GP did not examine my mother but asked her a couple of questions then diagnosed  water infection.  His manner was very patronising and he treated her like a child.  I found this very annoying and disgusting that someone who did not abuse the NHS service was not receiving any respect or any service."

"I felt very angry that a 79 year old who was unwell was not receiving medical treatment and diagnosis. I feel that I don't want to get old as people do not respect you or consider that you are important."