‘I find it quite insulting’: Nova Scotia seniors fight back against ageism – Yahoo News Canada

Report on Age-Based Discrimination in Nova Scotia and its Conflict with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Ageism as a Barrier to Sustainable Development

A pervasive form of discrimination, ageism, presents a significant challenge to the social and economic fabric of Nova Scotia. This prejudice, based on stereotypes and assumptions related to age, directly undermines the principles of equality and inclusion central to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report analyzes the manifestations of ageism in the region and its direct opposition to achieving key SDGs, particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Social and Psychological Impacts of Ageism

Daily encounters with subtle discrimination erode the dignity and well-being of older persons, creating barriers to full social participation. This contravenes the objectives of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Key Findings:

• Patronizing Communication: Older adults report being addressed in condescending tones (e.g., “dear”) that diminish their sense of self-worth and competence.
• Dismissal of Experience: Individuals with extensive life and professional experience, such as Brooks Field, report being spoken to in a simplified manner, which is insulting and strips them of their dignity.
• Mental Health Toll: Being made to feel like a burden or being consistently dismissed can have a profound negative impact on the mental health of seniors.

Economic Exclusion and Workplace Discrimination

Ageism in the professional sphere limits opportunities for older workers, affecting their economic stability and contradicting the global goal of equitable employment. This practice is in direct conflict with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), which advocates for full and productive employment and decent work for all, including older persons.

Analysis of Workplace Barriers:

1. Economic Necessity: Rising living costs necessitate that many seniors continue working beyond traditional retirement age to provide for themselves.
2. Prejudice in Hiring: According to Bill VanGorder of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), capability, not age, should be the primary determinant for employment, yet stereotypes often prevent older individuals from securing or retaining positions.
3. Systemic Fallacies: The belief that older workers prevent younger generations from entering the workforce is a misconception that fuels intergenerational tension and discriminatory practices.

Systemic Barriers in Healthcare and Access to Services

Ageism manifests in institutional practices, particularly in healthcare and the delivery of public and private services. These systemic failures create significant inequalities, working against SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Identified Systemic Issues:

• Healthcare Dismissal: Seniors report that their medical concerns are often attributed generically to their age without proper investigation, denying them appropriate care and violating their right to health.
• Technological Exclusion: The rapid transition of essential services (e.g., banking, government services) to online-only platforms disproportionately affects older adults who may lack digital literacy or access, creating a digital divide that deepens inequality.
• Lack of Accessibility: The absence of non-digital alternatives, such as functional telephone support, leaves many seniors unable to access critical services, undermining the goal of inclusive and accessible institutions for all citizens.

Community and Advocacy Responses to Foster Inclusion

In response to these challenges, community organizations are actively working to counteract ageism and build inclusive environments that align with the SDGs. These efforts are crucial for building the strong, inclusive communities envisioned in SDG 11 and strengthening the institutions called for in SDG 16.

Strategies for Change:

• Community Hubs: Centers like Spencer House in Halifax actively empower seniors by valuing their voices, wisdom, and contributions to the community.
• Systemic Advocacy: Organizations such as CARP challenge discriminatory practices in media, business, and government to promote systemic change.
• Promoting Intergenerational Value: Advocates emphasize that the experience and knowledge of older persons are valuable assets that can be leveraged to improve society for all age groups, embodying the core SDG principle of “leaving no one behind.”

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on ageism in Nova Scotia connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on health, equality, and economic well-being. The primary issues of discrimination, exclusion, and prejudice against older adults are central themes of these global goals.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article highlights how ageism negatively impacts the mental and physical health of seniors. It mentions that being made to feel like a burden has a “profound toll on the mental health of seniors” and that in healthcare, “seniors report having their medical concerns dismissed.”
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article discusses ageism in the workplace. It notes that due to the cost of living, “many seniors have to keep working,” but they face discrimination that affects their ability to provide for themselves. The belief that seniors are “holding back younger workers” and the idea that they are “pushed out of the workplace” are directly related to ensuring decent work for all age groups.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: This is the most prominent SDG in the article. Ageism is described as a “quiet, and often subtle, form of discrimination” and the “last acceptable prejudice.” The entire article is an exploration of inequality based on age, covering social exclusion (patronizing language), economic exclusion (workplace discrimination), and exclusion from services (technological ageism).
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal is relevant through its focus on ending discrimination and promoting inclusive societies. The article mentions advocacy organizations like CARP that “work to challenge systemic discrimination” and bring these issues to the attention of “business or government,” which relates to building accountable and inclusive institutions that protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of age.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 3.4 (under SDG 3): “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The article’s statement that ageism can have a “profound toll on the mental health of seniors” directly aligns with the goal of promoting mental health and well-being for all age groups.
• Target 8.5 (under SDG 8): “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.” The article’s discussion of seniors needing to work, facing workplace discrimination, and the assertion that “capability, not age, should be the determining factor in whether someone can perform a job” connects directly to this target of decent work for all.
• Target 10.2 (under SDG 10): “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age…” This target is at the core of the article. The text details the social exclusion of seniors through patronizing language, their economic exclusion from the workplace, and their exclusion from services due to “technological ageism” as governments and businesses “push services online.”
• Target 10.3 (under SDG 10): “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices…” The work of CARP, which “sees examples of discrimination in media depictions, business or government” and works to “challenge systemic discrimination,” directly supports the aim of this target.
• Target 16.b (under SDG 16): “Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.” The article’s central theme of ageism as a form of discrimination that needs to be challenged systemically aligns with the enforcement of non-discriminatory policies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article, being a narrative piece, does not provide quantitative data but implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 3.4: The article implies the need to measure the mental health status of the elderly population. The statement about the “profound toll on the mental health of seniors” suggests that surveys or studies on the well-being and mental health of older adults would be a relevant indicator.
• Indicator for Target 8.5: The discussion of seniors being “pushed out of the workplace” implies an indicator related to the unemployment rate or labor force participation rate of people above the standard retirement age. Reports of age-based discrimination in hiring and employment would also serve as a key indicator.
• Indicator for Target 10.2: The article implies an indicator related to the “Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed… on the basis of age.” The personal testimonies of Judy Bonnell and Brooks Field feeling dismissed and insulted are direct examples of this. Furthermore, the mention of “technological ageism” suggests an indicator measuring the digital divide and the accessibility of online services for seniors.
• Indicator for Target 10.3: The existence and effectiveness of advocacy groups like CARP that “challenge systemic discrimination” can be seen as an indicator. The number of discrimination cases reported to and addressed by such organizations or government bodies would be a way to measure progress in eliminating discriminatory practices.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ca.news.yahoo.com