One of our best known and much loved entertainers, Monica Trapaga is passionately pushing back against those in the Australian community who practice ageism.
The 55-year-old radio show host, jazz singer and actress has joined the EveryAGE Counts campaign to end discrimination against older people, admitting she has been a victim of ageism in her own career.
"I've encountered all kinds of ageist discrimination during my time in television and I know my experiences are far from unique," said Monica. "In television you very much have a use-by date, whereas really age is an advantage.
"It's something I believe we need to start taking more seriously in Australia. Yes, we're ageing as a nation, but that's only a negative if we continue to discriminate against older people and make unfair assumptions about who they are and what they can and can't do.
"Like all forms of discrimination, the place to start is by spreading awareness. So much ageism happens unconsciously, and it's allowed to keep happening because we don't feel sufficiently informed or empowered to push back."
Respect
The devoted grandmother and former presenter on the Australian children's series, Play School, said she was fortunate that she had always worked and been able to maintain a career. However, she believes that as a community we don't make the older generation feel important enough. "It's all about respect. It's making everyone feel valued," she said.
Yes, we're ageing as a nation, but that's only a negative if we continue to discriminate against older people and make unfair assumptions about who they are and what they can and can't do
- Monica Trapaga
"Why shouldn't older people be treated as well as anyone, if not better."
EveryAGE Counts, commissioned a nationwide poll by The RedBridge Group, to help understand the gap between the widespread prevalence of ageism and our collective willingness to combat it.
The research showed 45 per cent of Australians over 50 had experienced ageism in the past year, and 52 per cent of all Australians had witnessed ageism in the past year.
However, the desire to call out ageism is somewhat muted with only one in five taking any action in response.
Of 82 per cent of older Australians who experienced ageism but didn't take action, 27 per cent said it was because it was hard to prove, 24 per cent said it was because they didn't know how to respond, 22 per cent said was because they were not sure if it was really ageism, and nine per cent said they "didn't know what my options were".
Of those who experienced ageism more than 50 per cent said it was very serious or quite serious and listed workplaces (25.7 per cent) medical situation (11.3 per cent) retail (19.1 per cent), seeking work (16.3 per cent), other situations (27.5 per cent).
According to EveryAGE Counts knowing how to respond to ageism can be tricky, but there are a range of constructive actions people can take, including setting up affinity groups at work, escalating complaints strategically, and understanding how to approach conversations that make a difference.
Pervasive and hidden
"Ageism is pervasive, but often hidden," said campaign director Marlene Krasovitsky.
"Often older Australians feel powerless when we encounter ageism. However, if we know what it looks like and name it, we can take constructive actions in response. In this way each of us can help build an Australia without ageism.
"People often don't know how to approach difficult conversations about ageism, but we know there are approaches that work better than others. For example, it's tempting to argue that 'one day you'll be in my shoes', but the latest research shows people find it hard to conceptualise their future selves, and that it may actually be more persuasive to simply explain the impact the ageism had on you personally.
"Another example is ageism in the workplace - people may suspect they're missing out on opportunities to learn new tech or skills because of ageism, but it can be difficult to prove. Setting up an affinity group of older colleagues can be an effective way to compare experiences and identify patterns You may also take a look at your organisation's Diversity and Inclusion strategy and if age is not included as a ground of diversity, suggest it is."
Monica believes that change begins with the individual. "You have to ask 'how do I treat the older generation?', and if you are in the older generation, you have ask how you treat yourself.
"We have to look to ourselves first. We have to keep fit, we have to keep our minds active and if we experience ageism we have to speak up... and we have to change our vocabulary.
"I know from my own experience that I did not speak up when I should have. This campaign is all about making people aware that ageism is not acceptable."
According to EveryAGE Counts ageism can distort ideas about older people and can have a profound negative impacts on confidence, quality of life, job prospects, health, and control over life decisions.
Ageism can also deny society the enormous range of benefits that can flow, economically and socially, from the full participation of older people.