In February 2024 National Seniors Australia surveyed older Australians on whether they had experienced exclusion or discrimination based on their age.
The answers were many and varied and are fully reviewed in our 2025 report on the question, Elements of Ageism 4: Experiences of Exclusion and Discrimination. But one topic stood out as worthy of special attention: older people’s experiences of being ignored, served last or otherwise treated poorly in retail and hospitality settings.
This is an under-appreciated form of ageist exclusion that nevertheless needs to be addressed.