"We believe there is an urgent need to clarify the ageism experienced by older people, and that this clarification could be led linguistically. There are words to describe the ageism experienced by younger people, such as youthism, but none for older people. We propose the term gerontism to plug this gap. The words we use matter. The right words can change minds and worldviews, and have profound social, health and financial consequences. The term gerontism conveys the precise meaning of the ageism experienced by older people and is a powerful tool for leading change."
Professor Kate Burridge, Dr Catherine Barrett and Robyn Smith
Gerontism
Gerontism refers to the stigma, discrimination and prejudice against older people on the basis of their age. It is a form of ageism driven by gerontophobia - or the fear of ageing, morbidity and mortality which leads to the denial of ageing, internalised gerontism and othering older people.
Publication
coming soon...
Gerontism Education Module
The free Gerontism Education Module provides an outline of the resource - in text or video and includes links to other useful resources. To access it, go to our Thinkific online platform (here), create a free log in and password and then click on the Gerontism Education Module. Launch Monday 3rd August.
The Gerontism Mapping Framework
The Gerontism Mapping Framework was launched at the National Elder Abuse Conference, 2026 by Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner. A big thankyou to our partners ADA Australia, Elder Rights Australia, Compass and Older Women's Network NSW.
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Gerontism Mapping examples
The following Gerontism Maps have been developed as examples of the diversity of older people's experiences of gerontism. Click on the images to open the maps. Please remember the Maps have been developed by one or more individuals and do not represent every perspective on gerontism for the group or event mapped. Please note Maps coming soon for older women, Trans women and people living with dementia.
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Awareness raising
Clarifying language is the first step - now we need to raise awareness and draw people to the education and Framework. We have developed some social media tiles to help spread the word. Please consider sharing them (click on an image to enlarge and then right click to save).
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Marked Safe from Gerontism (hope making)
At the Framework launch we invited participants to mark themselves free from gerontism by identifying the best part of the age they are right now. Feedback from participants
You are invited to mark yourself free of gerontism - or protect yourself from internalised gerontism by valuing your ageing. This can improve life expectancy. It can also help us to dismantle gerontism in society and promote respect for older people. You are invited to download the 'Marked Safe from Gerontism' postcard here and tell us what is the best thing about the age you are right now (what part of your ageing are you grateful for).
Below are some of the examples shared at the National Elder Abuse Conference.
You are invited to mark yourself free of gerontism - or protect yourself from internalised gerontism by valuing your ageing. This can improve life expectancy. It can also help us to dismantle gerontism in society and promote respect for older people. You are invited to download the 'Marked Safe from Gerontism' postcard here and tell us what is the best thing about the age you are right now (what part of your ageing are you grateful for).
Below are some of the examples shared at the National Elder Abuse Conference.
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More information
If you would like more information about the Dictionary of Gerontism, go to the Dictionary webpage here or email us at [email protected]
