Breaking the age barrier: transforming age attitudes in health care
Discover a national initiative transforming age-related attitudes in healthcare through interactive workshops and person-centred care practices.
Overview
Ageism is a real and often overlooked barrier to ageing with dignity, respect, and fairness. The Commission is partnering with the health sector to challenge stereotypes, improve communication, and promote quality care at every age. The project is delivered with funding support from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Co-host a workshop
Age.DiscriminationCommissioner@humanrights.gov.au
What's involved?
Workshop format
- designed for groups of 8–30 participants
- interactive sessions (1 to 2.5 hours)
- delivered Australia-wide
- available in‑person or online
Benefits for co‑hosts
- gain practical ideas to develop and implement age‑inclusive practices
- collaborate with the Commission on a national initiative to reduce ageism in health care
- contribute to sector‑wide conversations that support better health outcomes for older people
What participants gain
- increased understanding of age beliefs and stereotypes
- knowledge of how ageism affects health
- greater confidence to have conversations and promote positive ageing in workplaces and communities
We ask co-hosts to
- organise a meeting space with suitable seating and audiovisual equipment
- promote the workshop and recruit participants
- support participants to get to the workshop and feel welcome (e.g. communicate beforehand, check their needs are met, offer refreshments)
Background
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2025 research report, Age barrier: Older adults’ experiences of ageism in health care found that older Australians perceive ageism across multiple levels of the healthcare system. Older adults described feeling dismissed, stereotyped and even excluded from decisions about their own care. The report reveals how age-based assumptions can undermine older people’s autonomy, make them feel invisible and lead to poorer health outcomes.
There is a real need but also opportunity for change. The Commission’s 2023 report Changing perspectives: testing an ageism intervention shows that even a single, well-designed educational workshop can be a powerful tool in creating positive changes in attitudes and behaviours towards older people that last over time.
Building on this evidence, the project aims to embed positive attitudes toward ageing across the health sector through engagement, reflection, and practical strategies.
Why it matters
The World Health Organization describes ageism as “prevalent, ubiquitous, and insidious,” with serious consequences, including poorer health outcomes. Ageism affects how people are perceived, treated and supported across all areas of life – and it often goes unnoticed.
Health professionals hold a unique position of trust. Every interaction is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes and promote dignity. The Breaking the age barrier project aims to embed positive attitudes toward ageing across the health sector. Our workshops help participants reflect on attitudes and assumptions about ageing and explore practical strategies to improve care and support positive ageing.
Related reports & resources
- The age barrier: older adults’ experiences of ageism in health care (2025)
- Changing perspectives: testing an ageism intervention (2025)
- What's age got to do with it? (2021)
Ageism in Australian society
Learn more about the Commission’s broader work to address ageism in other social sectors here
