Fight ageism on Ageism Awareness Day with our free course

Together, we can create a more inclusive society for people of all ages.

This year’s Ageism Awareness Day is a reminder to all Australians that ageism is still rife within the Australian community. Ageism directly impacts the lives of many Australians in aged care, health services and employment and is a contributing factor to elder abuse. It also has serious implications for older people’s health outcomes, mental and physical well-being, and the societies they live in.

Launched last June, Torrens University’s free online Challenging Ageism course, which has been undertaken by over 600 people, is designed to help people from all walks of life understand the nature of ageism and its far-reaching consequences. Created by Associate Professor Rachel Ambagtsheer, a leading researcher and educator at Torrens University, this one-hour course will help you recognise and address ageist attitudes at home, in the workplace and in society at large.

Ageism is a commonly experienced form of discrimination

In Australia, data from the EveryAGE Counts campaign indicates that a staggering 45% of individuals over 50 have reported experiencing ageism in the past year, while 52% have witnessed it.

Alarmingly, 82% of older Australians who have experienced ageism did not take any action in response. Among those, 27% cited it was hard to prove, 24% didn’t know how to respond, 22% were unsure if what they experienced was ageism and 9% didn’t know what their options were.

Assoc. Prof. Ambagtsheer emphasises the importance of awareness: “We hope to raise awareness of how widespread ageism is and provide participants with the skills to recognise it. This course offers actionable strategies for tackling ageism, whether it occurs in the workplace, in healthcare settings, or in everyday life.”

The effects of ageism

Ageism isn’t just an abstract issue; it has real implications for health and well-being. Research shows that ageist attitudes can lead to social isolation, decreased quality of life, and financial insecurity.

Assoc. Prof. Ambagtsheer notes, “Ageism costs billions of dollars annually worldwide because of the detrimental impact it can have on older people’s health.”

Who should do the Challenging Ageism course?

The Challenging Ageism course is open to everyone, regardless of prior knowledge. Whether you’ve experienced ageism first-hand or simply want to learn more about its effects, this course will equip you with the tools to make a difference.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore their own unconscious biases and reflect on how these may shape their views on aging. The course is designed to reduce ageism directed both towards oneself and others, providing strategies for addressing these biases in various contexts, from challenging stereotypes in the workplace to advocating for inclusive practices in everyday life.

At Torrens University, our commitment to social responsibility is reflected in our Be Good initiative, which aims to contribute positively to society. By making the Challenging Ageism course accessible and free, we’re encouraging everyone to join the fight against ageism.’