New kit to help services tackle ageism
A new resource to help aged care providers combat ageism has been launched this week.
A new toolkit being launched this week has been produced for service providers and community leaders to facilitate a campaign to combat ageism.
The #OldisBeautiful Campaign Kit on Ageism is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing, a not for profit focused on combatting ageism and building respect for older people. It’s part of the #OldisBeautiful project – which was launched on 1 October, International Day of Older Persons, last year involving 100 posters of Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Sherree Francis installed around Melbourne (pictured above).
The project – which was piloted in Victoria – involves workshops with older people to explore ageism and what beautiful means to them and document the meanings in word and portrait photographs.
“This campaign kit is a great resource for aged care service providers who are looking to do something special for International Day of the Older Person,” project coordinator and Celebrate Ageing director Dr Catherine Barrett told Australian Ageing Agenda.
“Aged care providers have an important role to play in combatting the ageism that can devastate the lives of older people.”
The kit is being launched at online on Wednesday 21 February. Speakers include Dr Barrett and Debra Nicholl, chief executive officer of Elder Rights Advocacy – which supported the pilot. They will outline the role of the project in:
- combatting ageism driven by the fashion and beauty industry
- protecting older people from internalised ageism
- engaging community in reflection on ageism
- building connections between older people – and those who are not yet old.
The kit includes a beginner’s guide to theories of ageism and beauty, recruitment flyer, participant information sheet and consent form, photographer agreement, workshop outline and PowerPoints, evaluation guidelines and forms, media releases and suggestions for dissemination.
“The kit includes everything that aged care services providers need to facilitate an #OldisBeautiful resource,” said Dr Barrett. “All these documents are presented in word version so they can be localised by facilitators.”
Service providers who want to join the 2024 IDOP campaign can find out more on the project’s webpage and register to access the campaign kit. The free launch event takes place on Wednesday 21 February from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm AEDT.
Main image: Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Sherree Francis, who featured in the 2023 #OldisBeautiful campaign
Comment on the story below. Follow Australian Ageing Agenda on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook, sign up to our twice-weekly newsletter and subscribe to our premium content or AAA magazine for the complete aged care picture.
