Positive Ageing Week 27 September – 1 October 2021
Today is the start of Positive Ageing Week 2021 which is themed Reconnecting Our Communities by Reframing Ageing to challenge negative stereotypes of ageing and older people.
The portrayal of older people as vulnerable, frail, in need of care and protection that characterised public discourse during COVID-19 reflected negative stereotypes we hold about older people.
“Positive Ageing Week is an opportunity for communities to reframe how we think, feel and act about older people and ageing” said Paddy Connolly, CEO of Age Action.
“Negative perceptions about older people can creep into our policy making such as advice to people over 70 to cocoon, visiting restrictions in nursing homes and the general lack of engagement with older people about policies that directly affected them left many feeling invisible or diminished.
“Those practices also undermine people’s rights such as right to family life and autonomy.”
Ageism is one of the most common prejudices in societies around the world, according to the World Health Organisation. With one in five people in Ireland going to be over the age of 65 by 2050 it is necessary that ageist attitudes and policies are challenged and addressed to uphold equality and rights.
Positive Ageing Week is an initiative of Age Action to promote the agency of older people and to celebrate the contribution they make to our families, workplaces, communities and society as a whole.
For 19 years individuals, groups, Local Authorities and businesses have been organising events to mark Positive Ageing Week which culminates in the promotion of age equality on 1 October – United Nations International Day of Older Persons.
Over 80 activities are taking place virtually or in person for Positive Ageing For more information see www.positiveageingweek.com
