Ageism Pledge

Ageism is prejudice or discrimination based on a person’s age. In a recent survey, 80% of older adults reported being the victim of ageism. Ageism hurts older adults emotionally, behaviorally, physically and financially. Treating older adults as second class citizens results in their getting less pay for the jobs they do; less training to prepare for new positions; eliminated from jobs; being depicted as foolish, demented, irrelevant and dependent in the media; and excluded from medical research; ignored by healthcare providers and not afforded the opportunity to make "risky" choices.

You can stand up to ageism by joining a growing movement in CT through StopAgeismNow.org. Across CT agencies are standing together to make a pledge to Stop Ageism Now. If you are willing to become an advocate for change in the way we treat older adults in CT, please take the pledge. Visit www.StopAgeismNow.org and sign the petition to stop ageism. When we have gathered enough signatures the Agency on Aging of South Central CT will approach our state and federal representatives to ask them to take legislative action to improve existing laws designed to limit ageism.

Unlike other protected groups, older adults lack enforceable protection against discrimination. You can help us change that. Older adults can be granted the same rights and protections against discrimination as other groups. Become part of the solution. Sign the petition. For more information about the campaign contact Jane Wisialowski at (203) 495-1655.