Old age and inequality

• Age UK

• Department for Work and Pensions

• Barclays

which research can be used for age inequality and income?

1. States that 2 million pensioners are currently living in poverty, with half of all pensioners worried about the cost of food and heating.

2. Many older people are reliant on a State Pension, and the amount they receive depends on their work records. Some people have private pensions to top up their State Pension of a maximum of around £220 per week.

Evidence of age inequality and income

1. Age UK

2. What are older people often reliant on?

found that not all pensioners are equally vulnerable to income poverty. The oldest pensioners, women, the disabled and ethnic minority pensioners were amongst the most vulnerable - with single pensioners in these groups being the worst hit.

Evidence of age inequality and income

Department for Work and Pensions

A survey by Barclays found that many pensioners skip meals in winter to pay for Christmas presents.

Evidence of age inequality and income

Barclays

• Department for Health

• Age UK

• Denise Lievesley

which research can be used for age inequality and health?

1. Older people are more vulnerable to health problems and disabilities such as dementia, hearing loss and sight impairment.

2. Lack of exercise, smoking, obesity, malnutrition, alcohol and substance abuse can increase the risk of age-related obesity.

3. It is estimated by the current government that the treatment of preventable health risk factors costs the taxpayer £10 billion a year.

Evidence of health inequality and old age - the DEPARTMENT FOR HEALTH

1. What are elderly people vulnerable to?

2. What can increase the risk of age-related diseases?

3. How much is spent on preventable health risk factors?

Lievesley found evidence of prejudice and ageist attitudes amongst healthcare professionals, using observations from other medical staff. Examples included lack of information and patronising attitudes.

Evidence of health inequality and old age - Denise Lievesley

There are significant mental health problems among the elderly with just under a third experiencing suicidal feelings and depression.

Evidence of health inequality and old age - Age UK

• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

• Ros Altmann

• Parliamentary Select Committee Report

which research can be used for age inequality and the workplace?

Survey results saw that 30% of employees complained about discrimination at work due to age, in comparison with 2% who complained about racial discrimination.

Inequality and older people in the workplace - Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Campaigned for apprenticeships for the elderly through encouraging the government to change its policies on apprenticeships. Apprenticeships for the young are popular, but there is no funding in place for older workers wishing to retrain.

Inequality and older people in the workplace - Ros Altmann

It is no longer legal to put age limits on job adverts so explicit age discrimination is not accepted. HOWEVER, the report found that:

• Older workers are often made redundant as younger workers are cheaper to employ

• Age discrimination is not easy to challenge or to prove

Inequality and older people in the workplace - Parliamentary Select Committee Report