People and communities Standards for age-friendly communications

Ageism

Ageism and age-inequality prevent people accessing services and employment, and preclude people ageing well.

You should always support positive ageing in your communications.

Avoid

  • ‘Compassionate Ageism’ and patronising portrayals of older people as passive and needing sympathy.
  • Stating someone’s age, unless it’s relevant.
    • Example Why say Rachel (86) runs an allotment, when you don’t say Dave (28) runs an allotment?