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The Inaugural Congress of Older People’s Voices from the Margins was a groundbreaking event hosted at the #Embolden2023 Symposium on Ageism and Respect for Older People, spearheaded by Celebrate Ageing Ltd. This initiative delved into the nuanced experiences of marginalised older individuals, shedding light on the reciprocal relationship between ageism and marginalisation.
Fifteen older individuals or their representatives took the stage, each representing unique communities, including Aboriginal people, Auslan users, individuals living with dementia and HIV, male care partners, and more. Their narratives were categorised under five themes: gender, ability, place, culture, and sexuality.
Post-presentations, the Design Café convened service providers, policymakers, advocates, researchers, academics, and community leaders. Together, they explored the root causes of marginalisation and brainstormed strategies for creating inclusive families, communities, services, and policies.
Ignorance, disrespect, grief, shame, resource scarcity, invisibility, literacy barriers, silencing, stigma, segregation, and the misconception that older individuals have nothing to contribute emerged as common themes across presentations.
The consensus was clear – ageism acts as a root cause of marginalisation, compounded by other forms of oppression such as racism, ableism, sexism, metro-centricity, classism, and queerphobia. Recommendations were crafted, spanning information accessibility, community engagement, promotion of inclusive services, collaboration with families, and policy adjustments to encompass a broader cohort of marginalised older people.
The concept of marginalisation serves as a potent tool in diversity planning and combating Elder Abuse and ageism. By acknowledging marginalised older people as part of ‘us,’ rather than ‘them,’ we can collectively address root causes and work towards prevention. Key questions guide us in exploring, understanding, and strategising against marginalisation.
Using the Kirkpatrick Model, the Congress received high praise in the evaluation. Relevance scored a mean rating of 6.51, new knowledge/skills at 6.54, and practical use at 6.55. An impressive 86% of participants expressed plans to apply their newfound knowledge, sharing examples of how they intend to make a difference.
Explore the transformative discussions that transpired during the Congress and join us in the mission to break the silence, challenge ageism, and foster a more inclusive society for older people.
Voices From The Margins – Uniting Against Ageism, One Story at a Time.
Read the full Report on the Congress of Older People’s Voices from the Margins.