I am not surprised by that. Older people are too often dismissed by the rest of society and are frequently the butt of jokes and disparaging remarks.

Ageism is more than jokes though. The daily reality can be more sinister and can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

While age discrimination is still legal, older people can be denied access to medical treatment simply because they're "too old". This is a moral outrage in the 21st century.


The Government has proposed an Equality Bill in its next Queen's Speech. There's now a historic opportunity to get ageism outlawed.

Please write to Gordon Brown demanding legislation to ban age discrimination at 10 Downing Street, London, SW1. Let's make him live up to the promises he made in his 2007 party conference speech when he spoke about ending discrimination.

Gordon Brown's Government now has the chance to end ageism once and for all.

I would urge people of all ages to support Help the Aged Just Equal Treatment campaign by calling 020 7239 1982 or visiting www.helptheaged.org.uk/takeaction.

Time is running out. Please take action on behalf of all older people.

Mark Seidman
Bangor