Positive Ageing Week

Message from Pat Mellon, National Coordinator for Positive Ageing Week.

Positive Ageing Week 2025 in Ireland, runs from the 29th September to 3rd October, it aims to promote the agency of older people and celebrate their invaluable contributions to society.

Understanding Ageism: A Three-Part Challenge

Ageism isn’t just about how others treat older people; it’s also about how we perceive ourselves.

How we think: These are the often-unconscious assumptions we make about people based on their and our age including how we view ourselves.

How we feel: This refers to the emotional and attitudinal reactions we have. This could be feeling pity for an older person or viewing them or yourself as a burden.

How we act:  This is when thoughts and feelings lead to actions that disadvantage someone because of their age. A common example is mandatory retirement policies that force people out of their jobs, despite their skills and desire to continue working. The I.S.C.P. have, and are, fighting mandatory retirement at a national level and have appeared before Oireachtas Joint Committee’s on this discriminatory practice.

As a member of the Irish Seniors Citizens Parliament, you can, and will be powerful agents of change by actively reframing these beliefs and behaviours. Here’s how you can get involved and make a difference:

Challenge Self-Directed Ageism

Many people internalise ageist stereotypes, leading to a negative self-perception of aging. This is known as self-directed ageism. To combat this, you can:

Embrace new skills: Take a course, learn a new language, or master a digital skill. Many libraries and community centres across Ireland offer free or low-cost classes specifically for older adults. Both DCU Age Friendly University and UCD lifelong learning Dept’s are members of the I.S.C.P. and we encourage you to engage to learn new skills and meet new people.

Stay active and engaged: Participate in local sports clubs, walking groups, or volunteer for a cause you care about. Local sports partnerships often run programs like ‘Go for Life Games’ and ‘Activator Walking’ to promote physical activity among older adults.

Share your story: campaign. By sharing your personal experiences and contributions, you challenge the narrative that older people are passive or disengaged. Give your voice to change

Be Advocate for Change: Your voice and lived experience are essential in shaping a more age-equal society.

Raise awareness: Speak out against ageist language or jokes when you hear them. Explain the harm that such stereotypes can cause.

Engage with policy: Support and promote not only the work the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament do, but actively encourage membership as either an individual or as a group, The ISCP welcome all groups be they book clubs or diversity and equality groups or rural social groupings.  Join with us in advocating for policies that address age discrimination, such as campaigning against mandatory retirement.

Participate in local initiatives: Get involved with your local Age-Friendly Programme. These programs work to make communities more inclusive for people of all ages.

By taking these steps, Irish senior citizens won’t just be celebrating Positive Ageing Week; they’ll be leading the charge in creating a more inclusive, respectful, and vibrant Ireland for every generation.