Elderly Brits feel ‘written off’
More than half of Britain’s over 65-year-olds believe they have become “invisible” in the country’s ‘youth-obsessed society’.
The survey revealed that although older British people are now embracing the internet more often, they, nevertheless, feel that they are “written off” and “ridiculed”.
Pensioners claim that their opinion is never solicited and that they are unable to relate to anything on TV or the radio.
One survey participant said that young people talk to the elderly “as if they want us to go away and die”.
The survey by the Nominet Trust, which works to increase access to the internet, found that more than half of over-65s feel “silenced” and “ignored”.
More than four in 10 were unable to recall the last time someone asked their opinion.
Director of Nominet Trust, Annika Small, said the country has a “terrible attitude to old people”.
“We need to listen more and recognise that the retired are tech-savvy with a lot to say and [that they make] a significant contribution to our society,” Ms Small said.
“It’s a nation that needs a hearing aid, not our pensioners,” she said.
The survey follows startling research by Age UK, an organisation which aims to improve the life of seniors through information and advice, campaigns, products, training and research.
The research revealed that ageism is the most widely experienced form of discrimination in Europe, with Britain topping the table.
