A majority of people believes Ireland is not a friendly place to grow old in and that Irish society treats older people worse than young people, according to a survey by an advocacy group for the elderly.
The National Council on Ageing and Older People survey, conducted to mark the launch of Say No to Ageismweek, found 62 per cent of respondents thought Ireland was not an age-friendly society.
Some 57 per cent believed society treats older people worse than their younger counterparts, while 43 per cent thought the older you get the less respect you receive.
The survey found 38 per cent of respondents thought that saying older people are "set in their ways and ideas" was fair.
The Say No to Ageismweek is a joint initiative of the NCAOP, the Health Service Executive and the Equality Authority.
Organisers say the week seeks to raise awareness of ageism and its impact on older people and to support practical initiatives within organisations to develop age friendly service provision.
The NCAOP has organised several events this week to increase public awareness of the issue including a national billboard campaign and a series of adverts on national and local radio.
A report on a HSE action plan to enhance age friendly service provisions will also be published, as well as a study from Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus, Iarnrod Éireann, Rural Transport Programme and Veolia Transport on enhancing age-friendly service provisions.
Chairman of the NCAOP, Dr Ciarán Donegan said: "Ageism is pervasive in Ireland and it poses a major barrier to the development of an 'age friendly' society in Ireland in the years ahead.
Dr Donegan said: "The elimination of ageism from Irish life will not take place overnight and concerted long-term efforts will be required to create an age friendly society - one in which older people are no longer marginalised by ageist attitudes, regulations and practices that limit their expectations or their capacity to live in dignity and independence."
The HSE is not only concerned with ill-health, but also with promoting the health and well-being of everyone," Assistant National Director for Older People in the HSE Jane Carolan said. "Ageism can affect people's health and well-being, particularly older people.
"When illness does occur, the aim of the HSE is to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, has equal access to services that are needed and that the delivery of these services is such that people's dignity and autonomy is maintained".
