Learning aims

This learning object will enable you to:

  • Discuss what is meant by the terms 'ageism', 'age discrimination' and 'social exclusion'
  • Recognise ways in which ageism, age discrimination and social exclusion impact on older people in health and social care settings and wider society
  • Suggest ways in which ageism, age discrimination and social exclusion can be challenged

Estimated time required

90 mins

Instructions

Welcome to the text only version of this learning resource. This version is intended for users using assistive software or those who may need to increase font sizes or for users with very slow connections.

In this learning object you are asked to consider issues which are central to understanding the experience of ageing and older age in contemporary society.

Ageism, age discrimination and social exclusion diminish the quality of life which older people may enjoy. They also threaten their mental health.

In spite of their negative effect on the daily lives of older people, however, ageism and age discrimination are often unrecognised, ignored, or even compounded in health and social care settings. And social exclusion has only recently been officially acknowledged as affecting older people as well as children and families.

As you work through this learning object you will be able to read the views of older people talking about their experience of age discrimination. We hope that by the time you complete this learning object you will be sensitized to ageism and its impact on those older people you encounter in your life.

Navigation

We recommend that you work through the introduction, the four main sections and the conclusion in the order that they are presented. To move around use the buttons at the bottom of each screen.

References and self-assessment

When you have worked through the main sections you can:

  • visit the ‘References’ section where you can access extra materials that were references throughout and may provide useful opportunities for further reading/research. There is also a printable version of the reference list on this screen
  • visit the ‘Self-assessment’ section and test how far you have assimilated the key messages from this learning object