Ageing is something every one of us will experience, but ageism – the stereotypes, assumptions and biases tied to age – still shapes how people are treated in everyday life. In this episode of Let’s Talk Health, host Natalie Cook is joined by Senior Research Fellow and public health academic Associate Professor Rachel Ambagtsheer to explore why ageism often goes unnoticed, how it can show up in healthcare settings, and what we can all do to challenge it.

To learn more about the Challenging Ageism short course, visit https://www.torrens.edu.au/studying-with-us/study-options/short-courses/challenging-ageism

In this episode, we cover:

• What ageism actually means and where the term originated
• How stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination based on age show up across the lifespan
• Why ageism is often called “the last acceptable ism”
• The role of culture, intergenerational contact and societal norms in shaping attitudes to ageing
• How ageism appears in healthcare, aged care and clinical decision-making
• What “benevolent ageism” looks like (and why it’s still harmful)
• How self-directed ageism affects confidence, mobility, mental health and physical decline
• Why age-based screening cut-offs can disadvantage older adults
• Strategies for recognising and calling out ageism in clinical appointments
• How families can advocate for older relatives without taking away their autonomy
• The health, social and economic impacts of ageism on individuals and communities
• Practical actions anyone can take to challenge ageism in daily life
• Rachel’s research into shifting attitudes and the impact of her “Challenging Ageism” short course

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