Age Without Limits

Getting older can have its challenges. Being treated negatively because of your age should never be one of them.?? ?? We know that once we're over 50 this experience is common. Every area of our life is affected - work, health, friendships and more.??? ?? But it doesn't have to be this way. We can all take action to end ageism.? ? Our new nationwide advertising campaign - which features people over 50 and highlights the most common experiences of ageism – encourages us all to notice and challenge ageism.?? ? Share today and be part of creating change.? ?? More https://lnkd.in/eczW3Npu? ?? It’s not ageing. It’s ageism.? ?? #AgeWithoutLimits #AgePositive #Inclusivity #Ageism?

THIS is why we need to change attitudes to ageing: “I am nearly 70 and have long hair which I mostly wear loose,” Ann told us. “I’ve had a lot of very pointed remarks about it being long ‘at my age’ and one person told me directly I was too old to have my hair this long and it made me look older. “Ironic, as it makes me feel more like my younger self! “I wear what I like not what is expected of a woman my age and have had to grow a thick skin for that, too. I have been described as an ‘old hippy’. I own that but feel people should be able to wear what they like, have their hair however they like it and pursue whatever their interests are, without regard to their age.” Do you agree with Ann? Share your thoughts in the comments below ?? #AgeWithoutLimits #AgePositive #AgeDiversityMatters #Ageism

In a society where the media are fixated on our age, it’s great to see HELLO! magazine take on stereotypes with their new ageless issue! ?? ? The issue, in collaboration with L'Oréal Paris, removes any mention of age and asks: ‘what would it look like to celebrate our successes without noting the age we reached them?' ? It’s an all-too-common experience that other people’s assumptions about what we should or shouldn’t be doing start to creep in as soon as we mention our age. Phrases like, ‘aren’t you too old for that?’, or ‘you look good for your age!’, or people being surprised at what we are ‘capable’ of. We also know that older women experience a ‘double whammy’ of negative treatment because of a combination of both age and gender. ? Our age shouldn’t be something to hide, but it’s good to see more conversations in the media like this, as well as a celebration of our varied skills, stories and experiences as we get older. ? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below. ?? ? Photos: HELLO! magazine ? #AgeWithoutLimits?#AgePositive?#Inclusivity?#Ageism

We love this quote from an #AgeWithoutLimits supporter who got it touch! We can’t all be ‘super-agers’ and run marathons or hand-glide into our 60s and beyond (nor do we all want to!). But equally, please don’t find it so remarkable if we do! There are plenty of older people out there doing these things and not curtailing their ambition or interests because of their chronological age, despite society’s expectations. Getting older can have its challenges. Being treated differently or negatively because of your age should never be one of them. It’s not ageing, it’s ageism. #Ageing #AgePositivity #AgeDiversityMatters #ActiveAgeing

When did you last notice ageism? From images used in the media (how many times have we seen the classic ‘wrinkly hands’ photo?) to the phrases that we use without questioning them (mutton dressed as lamb, dressing your age) We’re so surrounded by ageism that we’ve become used to it, and we don’t always notice it. But while we might not always notice it, as we get older many of us are likely to experience the negative effects of ageism. It could be that you struggle to get a job over 50, or that you don’t get offered the healthcare that you could receive, or that you don’t go to that concert because you’ve been made to feel ‘too old’. ?? So take our quiz. Find out more. https://lnkd.in/eDqD3mHT The more we all notice ageism, the more we all understand when and how it affects us and others, the more we can challenge and change it. #AgeWithoutLimits #AgePositive #AgeDiversityMatters #Ageism

Save the date! Wednesday 11th June is Age Without Limits Day, a nationwide day for us all to come together and take action to end ageism - as individuals, with friends and family, in our communities and in our workplaces. ?? This year's theme is 'Celebrate Ageing. Challenge Ageism.' - a chance for us all to celebrate the value and contributions of older people in society and share people’s diverse experiences of growing older. From hosting an event in your community to posting on social media about what the theme means to you, you can mark the day however you wish. We’ve got lots of activity ideas to share as the date gets closer but, in the meantime, you can find free materials on our website to help promote the day and get people talking. Take a look and get thinking about what you could do! ? https://lnkd.in/eD8en6gn #AgeWithoutLimits #AgeWithoutLimitsDay #Ageism #ChallengeAgeism

“I notice ageism a lot around the labour market,” says Kim. “When you look at the UK labour market, if you fall out of work and you're older, it's very hard for you to get back. “And that is not just about your capability and what you do, it's also about the prejudice that's held in the labour market about what you can do and what you can contribute. “I see ageism as a strategic issue because it's really important that we tackle it. We're an ageing population and we need to see everybody contributing of all ages.” Kim’s work focus is the UK labour market, and she’s one of the people photographed for our new #AgeWithoutLimits advertising campaign. One in three people aged over 50 believe they have been turned down for a job because of their age. It’s not ageing, it’s ageism. #AgePositive #Inclusivity #Recruitment #Olderworker #Ageism #Ageing

“I often find that people treat me very differently when I tell them how old I am, it can be very patronising”, John told us. “Since turning 70 I feel as though age is merely a number – I still feel the same as I did when I was 48! Unfortunately, this is not how other people feel. “I sometimes think that maybe I should slow down, but if I’m still feeling capable then why should I? I don’t want to age gracefully and give up my hobbies and interests for the sake of living slower. “I’m still very active, I like to go to the gym and still ride a Lambretta scooter with my mates, something I’ve done since my teenage years. “When I was attending a music festival, I got a few stares and nasty remarks from people for just dancing and enjoying myself. This has also happened within my own social circle – some of my peers would question me or try and put me down for not allegedly ‘acting my age’. It’s a real shame to see that so many people see age as such a defining factor in a person’s life. “Don’t let your age hold you back from doing things that you want to do! I haven’t let go of my passions as I’ve got older – I’m still very much into Northern Soul and Motown and I can go out and dance for hours. “Society expects us to spend our time in a certain, often more conservative and slower, way as we get older. People will sometimes try and make you feel silly for being unapologetically yourself – it’s important to tune them out and continue to do what makes you happy.” ???? Exactly this, John! Repeated exposure to ageist messages in society can affect the way we see ourselves, our self-esteem, and what we think we are capable or worthy of. It can limit what we do. By changing the way we all think about ageing, #AgeWithoutLimits hopes to open up greater opportunity for everyone to age without limits. Find out what you can do https://lnkd.in/g_FDNh2v #AgePositive #Inclusivity #Ageism

Others assuming that you are less capable, that your opinions are less relevant, that you are too old to be interested in certain things. These are some of the ordinary and everyday assumptions that people can make of others simply because they are older. But it doesn't have to be this way. We can all take action to end ageism. When more of us talk about ageism, more of us are aware of it, and the fewer people will experience being treated negatively because of their age. Find some conversational ideas here https://lnkd.in/erzZwJav #AgeWithoutLimits #AgePositive #Inclusivity #Ageism

“Sometimes I feel 8 years old, sometimes 15!” laughs Mindy, who features in our new advertising campaign. “You should hope to get old! For me ‘age’ is an acronym – Already Got Experience! And my aim is to enjoy it, and keep being curious about the world, not let my world get smaller. “A big passion in my life is belly dancing. It’s such a joyous thing to do: the cleavage, the sequins, the audience! It also teaches you how to inhabit a space, which I think is increasingly important as you age and you start to feel less seen. “I try to think that I’ve got a secret superpower, as I age. There’s a stereotype of an older, stroppy, working-class northern woman, which suits me. I’ll say what I please, what I think. Worrying about other’s thoughts is time wasted. “Now I’m retired, I only do what I want to do and I’m happy making my own contribution to society. I’m getting older and I want to be involved in making sure that this stage of life isn’t awful for people. “I’d like younger people to see older people as healthy, stroppy, vibrant...all the range of things that other ages are too. I want them to know that there’s still fun to be had, still a future. As a generation they will be living longer, and you don’t want more years to be ill or miserable! Mindy is one of the brilliant people photographed for our new advertising campaign (which features real-life supporters aged 50 plus, not models). Huge thanks to everyone who took part! #Ageism. ?? Notice it. Challenge it. Change it. #AgeWithoutLimits #AgePositive #Inclusivity