Ros LevensonDecember 10 2013

My core assumptions

Age discrimination is a key human rights issue

Ageism is still widespread in health and social care

Age discrimination is integrally related to ageism

Tackling age discrimination cannot be wholly separated from tackling the quality of older people’s services generally

Age discrimination does not occur in a vacuum

Undignified care of older people does not happen in a vacuum; it is rooted in the discrimination and neglect evident towards older people in British society. Age discrimination is the most common form of discrimination in the UK.Delivering Dignity. Local Government Association, NHS Federation, Age UK. 2012.

Why age discrimination matters

Ethical caseBusiness caseProfessional responsibilitiesLegal case

Ethical caseEthical and human rights arguments

seem obvious, but they don't seem to be persuasive

Many examples where older people’s rights, wellbeing and dignity are breached

Is being old a risk factor for substandard care?

Business casePoor care can cost more – readmissions,

longer stays etcCost of complaints and enquiriesCost of Francis Enquiry: £13 million

Professional responsibilitiesHealthcare professions require non-

discriminatory conductSome professionals are taking a keen interest

in developing non-discriminatory services

The legal caseAge discrimination legislation is a

great opportunity to forge ahead with tackling the problem of age discrimination in health and social care

Age discrimination legislation focuses minds

It is not a magic solution

So what needs to be done?Auditing age discriminationChanging attitudes / challenging ageismService redesign – empowering older people

and staffEducation and training

Moving forward Be explicit about the priorities for changeMake clear recommendations for change

(solutions, not just problems)Small changes now, as part of a longer term

strategyBuild on sustainable, incremental improvementsEmpower staff and older people to make changesIdentify key people who can take action and be

allies in making change happenBe clear that tackling age discrimination is an

ongoing process, not a one-off eventLearn from the experience of others

We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into inaction.

Bill Gates The Road Ahead, Penguin Books. 1995