Initiatives to Fight Ageism, Neglect, and Elderly Abuse During Crises: A Healthy Ageing Perspective

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created awareness about the need to protect older adults from ageism and discrimination in contexts experiencing infectious disease outbreaks and related crises. This chapter explains how healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities must work together to protect older adults from ageism and encourage social inclusion in contexts experiencing crises. The chapter suggests that efforts to discourage ageism can improve social inclusion among older adults, especially in contexts where ageism may be exacerbated by crises such as COVID-19 and climate change. The United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) initiative aims to protect older adults from ageism and, thus, reinforces the importance of the foregoing measures against ageism in contexts experiencing crises. Initiatives that may be rolled out through the above initiative include the empowerment of older adults to report the ageist stereotypes they experience, develop resilience against abuse and discrimination, and remain productive and valued in their communities. Efforts made through the Decade of Healthy Ageing campaign must emphasize the prevention of social isolation driven by ageism, especially in contexts experiencing crises where older adults are more vulnerable to ageism and abuse.