From Ageism to Age Equality: Addressing the Challenges ...

Training EventsTraining events on age discrimination have been held around England. The aim of these events hasbeen to develop practical approaches to addressing age discrimination and to share learning. This isa key issue in England and these events have been well attended by all stakeholders: practitioners,managers and older people.ConclusionsA Priority IssueWe have made a start but it is important that we continue to place age discrimination at the top ofour agendas. At one end of the scale, age discrimination can lead to a loss of dignity andindependence; at the other end, it may lead to abuse.Older people are entitled to lead fulfilling, healthy lives like everyone else. To ensure that thishappens effectively, all older people must have fair access to services. Older people and their carersshould have the chance to express their personal preferences, wishes and aspirations. Their viewsshould be taken account of in the services they receive.46Collaboration and CoordinationThe Government or the Department of Health cannot and should not try to combat agediscrimination alone. All stakeholders have a part to play. One of my key messages, and somethingthat I think has led to an increased awareness of age discrimination and the effort to combat it, isthe fact that agencies involved in commissioning and delivering services to older people haverecognised the part that they must play. Moreover, different agencies are working together to ensurethat older people regain access to better services.At the heart of developing person-centred services that give equitable access, is the appreciationthat older people and their carers know better than anyone else what is best for them, what makesthem happy and healthy, what gives them security and satisfaction, and what detracts from theirindependence and dignity and so should be avoided. We recognised this when developing the NSFand it is something I hope we will all continue to encourage.Conference Proceedings