Over-50s feel ageism pain: poll

The research found nearly seven in 10 over-50s agree ageism against older people is a serious problem in Australia, ahead of Ageism Awareness Day on Friday.

Nearly three-quarters of over-50s believe Australia is not doing enough to raise awareness about ageism and fight against it, while 58 per cent want a government awareness campaign.

However, people in their 50s and 60s are more likely than those in their 80s or 90s to think ageism is a serious problem, according to the research by RedBridge Group for the EveryAGE Counts campaign.

Nearly three-quarters of people in their 60s believe ageism is a serious problem, and 37 per cent of people in that age bracket are most likely to have experienced ageism in the past year.

That was compared with about a quarter of over-50s generally, and 15 per cent of people in their 80s.

"The fact seven out of ten Australians consider ageism to be a serious problem should make us all sit up and take notice," EveryAGE Counts campaign director Marlene Krasovitsky said.

"The way most polling has traditionally lumped 'older Australians' together into one monolithic group is ageist in and of itself.

"What this new research shows is that attitudes to ageism and experiences of ageism vary significantly across a very diverse 'over-50' group."

Nearly 30 per cent of people over 50 have been ignored or made to feel invisible, according to the research.

Among those in their 50s, 28 per cent had been rejected for jobs because of their age, and a quarter of people in their 50s and 60s had been made to feel like they are too old for their work.

"Those in their 80s and 90s, conversely, are more likely to report experiencing ageism in the health system, either by being denied treatments or by being ignored in favour of a carer," Dr Krasovitsky said.

The research was based on a representative national sample of more than 1040 Australians.

Australian Associated Press