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Older people must "fight" for acceptance: academic

November 24, 2004

miniacello thumb.jpgAgeism is the new sexism, a gerontologist from the University of New England will tell a conference on ageing on Friday.
As generations of women have successfully fought for equal rights, so older people must fight for legislation which encourages healthy ageing and sees ageism as an offence.
Professor Victor Minichiello (pictured) will be addressing ways older people, governments and the media can combat ageism in his keynote address at the Aged and Community Services Association of NSW & ACT at the Quality Hotel Powerhouse, Tamworth on Friday.
"Ageism without a doubt is one of the major challenges of the 21st century and an important issue for responsible government," Professor Minichiello said on the eve of the conference.
"The passion to bring about this change must come from older persons themselves becoming political activists. With this change will come significant liberation and opportunities for them."

Professor Minichiello's soon-to-be-released book, Contemporary Issues in Gerontology: Promoting Positive Ageing, (Allen and Unwin and Routledge) backs up his assertion with papers from academics around the world.
He begins by telling how successive generations have viewed older people with disdain, from Greek philosophers such as Euripides describing growing old as "that irresistible foe" through to the 21st century, where anti-ageing creams are frequently advertised and a women's magazine (Marie Clare) even featuring an anti-ageing guide.
Yet, most older people live independently, not in nursing homes, and hold the greatest net worth of assets of any age group.
"Greater numbers of older people are dating and remarrying in their 60s and 70s with the expectation that they will enjoy a full life," Professor Minichiello said.
"Governments, older people themselves, the media and industries need to adopt new ways of thinking about later life in society."
He urged governments to continue reforming ageist laws, focus health programs on healthy ageing, support town policies and architectural designs that are user-friendly to older people and develop retirement programs that allow older people to be productive members of the labour force.
In his book, Professor Minichiello cited policies from a number of countries in support of a "positive ageing" agenda which allows older people to "age in place" as being a good way of keeping older people independent and relevant within society.
For more information phone Professor Minichiello on 6773 3862 or
Lydia Roberts on 6773 2779.

Posted by Lydia Roberts at November 24, 2004 01:07 PM