MANY OLDER people will welcome this week's Say No to Ageism campaign, particularly the highlighting of unfair practices against older people in the employment arena. The Equality Authority, one of the week's backers, reports that age has emerged as the single biggest reason for workplace discrimination claims, ahead of gender or race. Its chief executive, Niall Crowley, says stereotypes of older people persist, despite laws designed to protect workers from discrimination on grounds of age. Older workers are still facing barriers at recruitment, promotion and retirement stages.
Yet, despite such unfairness, there have been some positive developments. In Galway city alone, more than 100 people from 60 to 90 years of age have been presented with certificates after completing eight weeks of computer training organised by Age Action West. If nothing else this demonstrates how older people can adapt. It also indicates how many ideas for enhancing the lives of older people have been fuelled by voluntary organisations, with little input from central government. A typical example is Age Action Ireland's care and repair service which is now being expanded throughout the country. It is based on the principle that many older people have difficulties in either doing or employing people to do minor tasks in their homes.
Older people can be encouraged too by the recent launch of the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland. It is a non-profit, cross-Border body supported by Atlantic Philanthropies which will encourage researchers, service providers and policy makers to collaborate on ageing issues. It is hoped that it will have considerable input from elderly people.
In the legislative arena, many older citizens will welcome the removal of the age barrier on juries. No longer will people over 70 be prevented from serving, while those over 65 will still be allowed to decline a summons. Such a measure offers the opportunity for those who want to participate and an opt-out clause for those who feel jury service would be onerous.
Such measures can help make Ireland a better place for the elderly. They may bring closer the day when there will be no need for a Say No to Ageism week, or its sister promotions, the Older and Bolder campaign, Positive Ageing Week, or even the Bealtaine cultural festival. Indeed, it could be queried why there now needs to be four separate events. One major one might be more likely to engender political leadership in grey matters and streamlining in the voluntary ageing sector.