Comment: Ageism in Australia has reached the point of a major public health crisis
Ageism in Australia is a major public health crisis. But so hidden is this crisis that even those dealing with its impacts everyday, such as myself – with a lifetime working in aged care – regularly forget.Whether it’s a party, a family function, or even a work setting, I admit to being a little bit too delighted if I’m ever told I look younger than my 56 years.
But, in reality, the overwhelming emotion is one of pride, because somewhere deep inside I must reluctantly admit that I still glorify youth. After a lifetime of watching skin cream commercials for over-50s with airbrushed models, who can really blame any of us? It’s a double female and ageing stereotype to address. This is only part of the problem.Right across the community in government, media and coffee shops, we speak about our ageing population as being an economic time bomb.
Ageism and the effect on our health system, workforce and economy has reached the point that it requires urgent action in the form of a large-scale government-funded public education campaign to reduce it. A campaign of this sort can treat the cause of many emerging ills that we are experiencing. The Band-Aids we’ve been using to cover up the symptoms are rapidly failing.. Failures are being strung up for all to see through the royal commission.
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