Janna Thompson: Philosopher and Sleuth

Janna Thompson, feminist, social justice advocate, and internationally esteemed professor of philosophy, died on 24 June 2022, as a result of multiple brain tumours. [...]the importance of apologies for past wrongs: she observes that authorised apologies on behalf of communities have a range of notable features, but their main point is to "signal that a nation or organization repudiates injustices of the past and is committed to just dealings with groups that were persecuted or oppressed" (Thompson, "Apologising," 2020: 1041). [...]in accordance with her lifelong commitment to social justice, the novel explores the loss of human rights and the low social status blithely assigned to older people by institutions, governments, and culture. Along with the shocking and disproportionate Covid death rate among aged care residents, the epidemic highlighted the abuse of human rights with respect to residents' loss of liberty: they were locked up in their rooms, locked away from families and friends, and locked down in unsafe environments. In her pivotal essays, Sarah Holland-Batt, an award-winning poet, academic and aged care activist,3 has damned the Federal government's failure to prepare Australia's residential aged care facilities for Covid outbreaks (September, 2020), and has exposed the immorality of current Australian society: "We treat older people as a separate and subhuman class, frequently viewing them as a burden on their families, the community and the state" (May, 2020).

The Impacts of Social and Political Upheaval on Older Adults' Sexuality: A Call to Action

Sexuality educator and author Jane Fleishman discusses the need to focus on sexual pleasure instead of sexual dysfunction for older adults. She exhorts her readers to notice the impact of current political and social upheaval, the pandemic, the recent Dobbs decision, and the concomitant racial violence, climate change, political crises, technological divides, as well as the healthcare system's inconsistencies, which have laid bare disparities, particularly for vulnerable older adults. She encourages scholars, researchers, students, and policy makers to embrace the intersections, develop new tools, and focus on marginalized populations.

The two‐sided paradox of ageism during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The cases of Hungary, Tunisia and Uzbekistan

The consequences of ageing populations around the globe have necessitated policy changes that encourage people to stay in the labour force longer. Finding a job depends on two conditions: the willingness to work and employers' decisions. However, the COVID‐19 pandemic created special circumstances that negatively affected the perception of older workers. Older people were particularly vulnerable to the disease, which justified government action to protect them but at the same time provoked resentment among young people. We conducted an online questionnaire survey in July and August 2020 among the citizens of Hungary, Tunisia and Uzbekistan. Our research aimed to determine the general extent of ageism during the COVID pandemic. Respondents had to possess at least a college degree â€" i.e. be potentially suitable for the position of human resource manager. Despite the wealth of scientific literature and our own experience, the survey results revealed only low levels of ageism because of so‐called social desirability bias. Even so, the participants' responses reflected the characteristics of ageism in relation to their respective countries and living conditions. The small variations in the answers were also enough to provide useful information. Structural equation modelling was used to obtain results.Alternate :Las consecuencias del envejecimiento de la población en todo el mundo han hecho necesarios los cambios políticos que animan a las personas a permanecer más tiempo en la población activa. Encontrar un empleo depende de dos condiciones: la voluntad de trabajar y las decisiones de los empresarios. Sin embargo, la pandemia de COVID‐19 creó circunstancias especiales que afectaron negativamente a la percepción de las personas mayores trabajadoras. Las personas mayores son especialmente vulnerables a la enfermedad, lo que justifica la actuación del gobierno para protegerlas, pero al mismo tiempo provoca el resentimiento de los jóvenes. En julio y agosto de 2020 se realizó una encuesta en línea entre los ciudadanos de Hungría, Túnez y Uzbekistán. Esta investigación pretendía determinar el alcance general de la discriminación por edad durante la pandemia de COVID. Los encuestados debían poseer al menos un título universitario, es decir, ser potencialmente aptos para el puesto de director de recursos humanos. A pesar de la abundante literatura científica y de la propia experiencia de los autores, los resultados de la encuesta sólo revelaron bajos niveles de discriminación por razón de edad debido al llamado sesgo de deseabilidad social. A pesar de ello, las respuestas de los participantes reflejaron las características de la discriminación por razón de edad en relación con sus respectivos países y condiciones de vida. Las pequeñas variaciones en las respuestas también fueron suficientes para proporcionar información útil. Para obtener los resultados se utilizó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales.Alternate :抄録世界中の人口高齢化の影響により、人々がより長く労働ã‚'続けるã"とã‚'奨励する政策への転換が必要となった。仕事ã‚'å¾—ã‚‹ã"とは、働く意欲と雇用主の判断という二つの条件に依存する。しかし、COVID‐19のパンデミックにより、高齢労働者の認識に悪影響ã‚'及ぼす特別な状況が生み出された。高齢者は特にã"の病気に罹りやすく、政府が高齢者ã‚'保護するための行動ã‚'æ­£å½"化すると同時に、若者のæ€'ã‚Šã‚'引き起ã"した。2020年の7月と8月にハンガリー、チュニジア、ウズベキスタンの市民ã‚'対象にオンラインアンケートã‚'å®Ÿæ–½ã—ãŸã€‚æˆ‘ã€…ã®ç ”ç©¶ã¯ã€COVIDのパンデミックにおける一般的な年齢差別の程度ã‚'決定するã"とã‚'目的とした。回答者は最低で大学の学位ã‚'持っている、すなわち、人事部の管理者に潜在的に適しているã"とã‚'条件とした。文献が多いã"と著者らの経é¨"にもかかわらず、調査結果 ¯ã€ã„わゆる社会的望ましさのバイアスのために年齢差別の程度が低いã"とが明らかになった。それでも回答者の答えは、それぞれの国や生活ç'°å¢ƒã¨ã®é–¢é€£ã§ã€å¹´é½¢å·®åˆ¥ã®ç‰¹å¾´ã‚'åæ˜ ã™ã‚‹ã‚‚ã®ã§ã‚ã£ãŸã€‚å›žç­”ã®å¤šæ§˜æ€§ãŒå°‘ãªã„ã"ã¨ã‚‚ååˆ†ã«æœ‰ç”¨ãªæƒ…å ±ã§ã‚ã£ãŸã€‚åˆ†æžã«ã¯æ§‹é€ æ–¹ç¨‹å¼ãƒ¢ãƒ‡ãƒªãƒ³ã‚°ã‚'使用した。

Is Virtual Communication Possible in Intergenerational Programs? The SIMUL Project

Intergenerational relationships are becoming increasingly rare. Thus, intergenerational programs are a strategy to establish relationships between generations. This article describes the socio-educational experience of the third edition of the SIMUL Intergenerational Project of the Education Service of the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife and the University of La Laguna, developed virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following questions arise: Can an intergenerational project be developed through virtual meetings? What are the socio-educational experiences gained during the Intergenerational Project (academic year 2020–2021) by young and older participants? The evaluation of the application and development of the project showed high participant satisfaction;however, communication barriers derived from the virtual modality were detected. It could be concluded that while face-to-face modality is more effective for the development of the experience, the virtual approach is only interesting when certain requirements and strategies for the virtualization of intergenerational meetings are met. For these types of programs to be successful from a virtual approach, it is essential to plan spaces for informal encounters that enable knowledge and exchange as a basis for the establishment of intergenerational relationships. A requirement in these virtual meetings is that each participant has his or her own device to participate in these meetings.

Ageism, Racism, Sexism, and Work With Older Healthcare Clients: Why an Intersectional Approach Is Needed in Practice, Policy, Education, and Research.

Women are subject to health disparities across the life course, owing to multiple factors, including sexism, ageism, and other forms of structural discrimination and mistreatment which have been linked with greater risks for sexual violence and related trauma as well as resulting problems with physical and mental health as well as overall wellbeing. Thus, a more intersectional approach to healthcare and social service delivery for older women is expressly needed, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, to address UN Global goals of advancing health and wellness, gender equality, less disparities altogether, and with this, greater justice. As such, in this article, timely needs for practice, policy, research, and education will be explored, to address intersectional prejudice and discrimination, chiefly among older women who are members of nondominant populations, to improve healthcare and social services and social justice, principally in later life.

International human rights law and the intangible face of ageism

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show the potential of international human rights law to raise awareness of the international community about ageism and its three aspects – old age discrimination, stereotyping and prejudices against older persons. The author evaluates the ability of international human rights law to encourage states to take action against these phenomena and looks for new solutions. The author also intends to examine if there are international law instruments compelling states to reject stereotypes and prejudices on older persons if there is no treaty devoted to them.Design/methodology/approachThe author applies methods relevant to legal science. The core human rights treaties, soft law documents and activities of human rights bodies are selected, analysed and interpreted.FindingsThe core human rights treaties require going beyond their literal interpretation to observe older persons' rights. States should interpret them in good faith, relying on the ageing mainstreaming approach. Instruction to states on how to do so lies in the soft law and output of the international human rights bodies. However, there is also room for improvement. Therefore, the author proposes adopting a targeted resolution on counteracting ageism and its components, updating positions by international treaty bodies, and involving various human rights procedures and specialised agencies in the fight against intangible dimensions of ageism.Originality/valueIt is the first study analysing awareness about stereotyping and prejudices against older persons from international human rights law. The author indicates untapped possibilities of the fight against ageism and its intangible dimensions under international law.

A Life Course Approach to Addressing Exponential Inequalities: Age, Gender, and Covid-19

This chapter argues that age is an exponential amplifier of inequality. It puts forward a life course perspective as a nuanced lens for enriching our understanding of discrimination and its impacts over time. A life course approach offers a targeted focus for addressing exponential inequalities, drawing our attention to discrimination at critical transition points. Building on this life course perspective, experiences of discrimination over time can be seen as non-linear and multi-directional, but still interlinked and biographic, punctuating and shaping life stories in unpredictable ways. These ideas are illustrated through a case study of gendered ageism at work, drawing on empirical evidence to map how gender inequality is amplified with age and time, and further exacerbated by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Viewed with this life course lens, this chapter argues that discrimination law appears fundamentally ill-adapted for responding to exponential inequalities. The chapter therefore considers the extent to which 'next generation' positive duties'like the Gender Equality Act 2020 (Vic)'might address these concerns. © The several contributors 2022. All rights reserved.

COVID-19: Pandemic Risk, Resilience and Possibilities for Aging Research

The COVID-19 global crisis is reshaping Canadian society in unexpected and profound ways. The significantly higher morbidity and mortality risks by age suggest that this is largely a "gero-pandemic,” which has thrust the field of aging onto center stage. This editorial emphasizes that vulnerable older adults are also those most affected by COVID-19 in terms of infection risk, negative health effects, and the potential deleterious outcomes on a range of social, psychological, and economic contexts – from ageism to social isolation. We also contend that the pathogenic analysis of this pandemic needs to be balanced with a salutogenic approach that examines the positive adaptation of people, systems and society, termed COVID-19 resilience. This begs the question: how and why do some older adults and communities adapt and thrive better than others? This examination will lead to the identification and response to research and data gaps, challenges, and innovative opportunities as we plan for a future in which COVID-19 has become another endemic infection in the growing list of emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

Lessons from a voluntary sector organisation working to address loneliness and isolation among older people during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing policies have created a range of challenges for voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations addressing isolation and loneliness among older people. This paper explores four learning points from one VCS organisation, Time to Shine, which is working to reduce loneliness among older people in a COVID-19 world, using technology, finding the ‘hard to reach', tackling ageism and managing anxiety following isolation.

Ageing with a twist: Intimacy and care amongst LGB older adults in Portugal

Ageing is increasingly at the centre of both local and international politics and policies. However, the attention on the intersection of ageing and sexual diversity has remained largely absent from research agendas in the Portuguese context. This article addresses issues of care and intimacy experienced by self-identified lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people over the age of 60 both before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in Portugal. The article is divided into four sections. In the introduction, the main issue addressed will be an explanation that draws on a theoretical framework informed by both LGBTQI+ and ageing and life course studies. The second section gives a necessarily brief overview of the socio-legal context of LGBTQI+ issues in Portugal and provides information regarding methodological aspects of the research. The third section explores experiences, prior and during the pandemic, of older adults who self-identify as LGB in the Portuguese context. Accompanied by excerpts from interviews originally carried out in 2019 and 2020, this section is structured around three topics: pandemic 2.0.;isolation and relational loneliness and health and care networks. The last section discusses the current impact of ageing and of ageism on older LGB adults, while also offering recommendations for future policy and scholarly work.

Frailty goes viral: a critical discourse analysis of COVID-19 national clinical guidelines in the United Kingdom

This paper explores how the rationing of medical care for older people by frailty score was justified and operationalised in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 was expected to overwhelm the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. In March 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published the ‘COVID-19 rapid guideline: critical care in adults', which advised that clinicians use the Clinical Frailty Score (CFS) to inform decisions about which patients over the age of 65 should be offered ventilatory support. We present a Foucauldian Critical Discourse Analysis of this guidance and the supporting online resources. Analysis shows how the guidance merchandises the CFS as a quick and easy-to-use technology that reduces social and physical complexity into a clinical score. This stratifies older people by frailty score and permits the allocation of resources along these lines. We show how this is justified through epidemiological discourses of risk, which are merged with the language of individual mortality prediction. We discuss the proceduralisation of the CFS alongside a growing body of research that problematises its application in resource allocation. We argue that the pandemic has increased the use of the concept of frailty and that this effectively obfuscates the concept's limitations and ambiguities;the ageism implicit in the response to COVID-19 in the UK;and the relative resource scarcity facing the UK's NHS.

Older Worker-Orientated Human Resource Practices, Wellbeing and Leave Intentions: A Conservation of Resources Approach for Ageing Workforces.

At a time where there are ageing populations, global shortages of skilled labour, and migration pathways impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, retaining older workers presents as a vital strategic initiative for organizations globally. This study examines the role of Human Resource Practices (HRPs), which are oriented towards accommodating the needs of an ageing workforce in mitigating psychological distress and turnover intentions. The study collected self-reported survey data from 300 Australian employees over the age of 45, over two time points. Using structural equation modelling, the study analyzed the extent to which Older Worker-oriented Human Resources Practices (OW-HRPs) translate into employee psychological health and retention within organizations, through the mediation of ageism and work-life conflict. The results support our hypothesis that OW-HRPs are associated with lower ageism, better work-life balance; and in combination these reduce psychological distress and help retain older workers in the workforce. We conclude that OW-HRPs can foster work environments conducive to older worker wellbeing, supporting the retention of talent and maintaining effectiveness, in the face of substantial labour supply challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and an ageing population.

Human Rights and Current Discriminatory Manifestations (on the Example of Age Discrimination in the Social and Communicative Sphere)

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of counteracting human rights violations due to age discrimination in the social and communicative sphere to identify problematic aspects of this discrimination;to study current changes in connection with the pandemic threat and generalize a set of legal guarantees to prevent and counteract inappropriate legal policy in this area. The research is based on a humanistic approach, which determines the individual value criterion of the research methodology and is manifested through the ideology of anthropocentrism;a complementary approach to scientific research and a balanced combination of national and international state-building and law-making principles. A synergistic approach made it possible to analyze the legal anti-discrimination policy in the light of pandemic threats. A comparative legal method was used, which made it possible to summarize the legal requirements of various states, including most countries of the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Colombia, on measures to counteract the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical and information reports of the European Union countries, monitoring of the Equality Representatives of individual countries (Serbia, Lithuania), analytical data, government decisions and practical cases were used. The method of combining theory and practice made it possible to propose a set of measures to overcome age discrimination in modern conditions of nationhood development.

Gerontological ageism as a social challenge and its detection in Ukrainian news media content

Los medios de comunicación, al ser un factor significativo que influye en la audiencia, forman estereotipos de vejez en la conciencia de las masas y determinan patrones de comportamiento en relación con los ancianos. El propósito de esta investigación es identificar tendencias significativas en el contenido de noticias en Ucrania, incluida la identificación de características específicas de la discriminación por envejecimiento gerontológico, identificar prácticas discriminatorias e identificar componentes gerontofóbicos de la imagen mediática del jubilado. El estudio ha identificado las especificidades de la discriminación por edad en los medios ucranianos, en particular su naturaleza institucional, la presencia de formas abiertas y latentes. Se ha comprobado que los medios de comunicación promueven exclusiones por edad - proceso de alienación de la vida social y económica, reducción de roles sociales mediante prácticas discriminatorias de biomedicalización, marginación, invisibilización, infantilización, deshumanización, banalización y clientelismo. El análisis de contenido de las noticias ha permitido construir una imagen mediática gerontofóbica de las personas mayores de 60 años, cuyo núcleo es el signo de la víctima, el centro - el delincuente, la agresión, la periferia cercana - la pobreza, la falta de atractivo, la insuficiencia, la desorientación en el espacio, descuido, corrupción;periferia lejana - egoísmo, debilidad, soledad, frugalidad hipertrofiada. La investigación ha constatado que no se trata solo de un problema de gerontofobia, sino del país en su conjunto, pues los medios de comunicación, por un lado, difunden lo que ocurre en la sociedad, y por otro, determinan qué estereotipo de vejez es cultivado en la conciencia de las masas por los medios ucranianos.Alternate :The mass media, being a significant factor influencing the audience, form stereotypes of old age in the mass consciousness and determine behavioral patterns in relation to the elderly. The purpose of this investigation is to identify significant trends in news content in Ukraine, including the identification of specific features of gerontological ageism, to identify discriminatory practices and to identify gerontophobic components of the media image of the retiree. The study has identified the specifics of ageism in the Ukrainian media, in particular its institutional nature, the presence of open and latent forms. It has been proved that the media promote age exclusions - the process of alienation from social and economic life, reduction of social roles using discriminatory practices of biomedicalization, marginalization, invisibilization, infantilization, dehumanization, trivialization, and patronage. Content analysis of news has allowed to construct a gerontophobic media image of people aged 60+, the core of which is the sign of the victim, the center - the offender, aggression, the near periphery - poverty, unattractiveness, inadequacy, disorientation in space, carelessness, corruption;distant periphery - selfishness, weakness, loneliness, hypertrophied thrift. The investigation has found that this is not only a problem of gerontophobia, but also in the country as a whole, because the media, on the one hand, spread what is happening in society, and on the other, determine what stereotype of old age is cultivated in mass consciousness by the Ukrainian media.

Ageism and the Pandemic: Risk and Protective Factors of Well-Being in Older People.

The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly affected the older population both in terms of the high number of victims and the psychological impact. Moreover, the pandemic has made older people more vulnerable to isolation and loneliness, and victims of ageism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk and protective factors for the well-being of older people during the pandemic. The role of positive affect, confidence in the future, current physical health, social isolation, loneliness, and ageism were analysed. A self-report questionnaire was administered to 1301 participants (mean age: 77.3 years, DS: 5.46), almost equally distributed by gender (56.1% female). Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed, together with SEM. The results showed that perceived age discrimination positively predicts loneliness and negatively and indirectly predicts well-being. Furthermore, positive affect, confidence in the future, and current physical health are protective factors, while loneliness, social isolation, and ageism are risk factors. Future emergency policies must take into account the impact of such actions on the well-being of this segment of the population.

Are older applicants less likely to be invited to a job interview? -An experimental study on ageism

Purpose: The main goal of this paper is to test whether older Hungarian women face age discrimination in the job market. The theoretical framework of this paper measures the level of discrimination and highlights that age discrimination leads to a waste of human resources. Design/methodology/approach: Two pairs of fictitious CVs were created;each pair included a younger (34 years old) and an older woman (60 years old) with an age difference of 26 years. One pair was designed for office assistant positions, the other for economic analyst positions. The contents of the CVs with photos were entirely fabricated except for active email addresses and phone numbers to allow responses to be tracked. LinkedIn accounts were also created for the analysts. Applications were sent over a four-month period from November 2019. The rate of invitation to interviews was analysed with mathematical statistical methods and a small probability model. Findings: The younger job seekers were invited to interviews about 2.2 times more often than the older ones. Based on the authors' probability model, employers evaluate the skills of older applicants at only 45-67% of their actual skills. Research limitations/implications: The experiment had to be stopped due to the Covid-19 lockdown as there were no new job postings. Originality/value: The experiment demonstrates that age discrimination exists in Hungary. In addition to traditional audit job applications through HR portals, we used LinkedIn too. The small probability model applies an old framework in a new environment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Edadismo: la barrera invisible

Sin embargo, si todo va bien en nuestro recorrido vital, todos esperamos llegar a ser personas de edad avanzada, por lo que podríamos decir que nos afecta a todos. En el contexto del cuidado nefrológico, debemos tener en cuenta que el número de personas mayores que necesitan tratamiento renal sustitutivo, ya sea diálisis peritoneal o hemodiálisis no cesa. Disponible en:https://www.who.int/es/teams/social-determinants-of-health/demographic-change-and-healthy-ageing/combatting-ageism/global-report-on-ageism. Impact of Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis Modality on Outcomes: A Cohort Study of the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry.

Expressions of ageism and human rights abuses of elderly people during the Covid-19 pandemic - insights from the first and second waves

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected the health of the elderly both worldwide and in Israel. In addition to the health hazards that prey on the elderly during the coronavirus period, the harm to their mental well-being and their basic rights cannot be ignored. Ageism and human rights abuses of elderly people are negative social phenomena which have been exacerbated by Covid-19. This article is based on a report (October 2020) by the Israel Institute of Equality and Human Rights (The Zulat Institute) on the human rights issue of the elderly during the coronavirus pandemic whose authors are among its signatories. Aim: To describe the manifestations of ageism in relation to the elderly during the first and second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, based on a human rights approach. Method: This was a qualitative study, based on consultation with a multidisciplinary group of independent experts in a joint process – a modified Delphi process – of a structured discussion around an open questionnaire on the treatment of the elderly in Israel during the first and second coronavirus waves. During the discussion, the group focused on three major human rights relevant to the elderly at this time: the right to respect, the right to participate in decision making and the right to health. Findings: Government policy regarding the elderly in the first months of the outbreak of the pandemic was characterized by paternalistic overprotectiveness, ageism and violation of the human rights of elderly people to dignity, participation and health. In both geriatric and protected housing institutions, human rights violations of the residents were due to physical isolation and prolonged social distancing from their relatives. Even within the community, where 94% of the elderly live in Israel, many cases of severe bodily and mental health harm were observed resulting from isolation and exclusion. These vulnerabilities are the result, inter alia, of structural failures in the public system to support the elderly in Israel, including decentralization of governmental responsibility, chronic shortage of geriatric-nursing personnel, and privatization of community services for the elderly. In addition, patronizing and ageist attitudes to the elderly were discussed, as were their needs and what to do about them. Conclusions and recommendations: Policies that will lead to the eradication of ageism and the prohibition of age discrimination through legislation should be promoted, and the rights of the elderly to dignity, participation and health should be maintained. In addition, the social standing of the elderly should be strengthened, as should responses to the needs of the elderly in the community and geriatric institutions. Information suited to digital capabilities and language and cultural groups should be made accessible to encourage open and respectful dialogue with the elderly and their families about their wishes regarding the medical care they receive and where it will be provided. In this way health and social services for the old in the community can be strengthened. [ FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 and the Elderly's Mental Illness: The Role of Risk Perception, Social Isolation, Loneliness and Ageism.

For almost two years, populations around the globe faced precariousness and uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Older adults were highly affected by the virus, and the policies meant to protect them have often resulted in ageist stereotypes and discrimination. For example, the public discourse around older adults had a paternalistic tone framing all older adults as "vulnerable". This study aimed to measure the extent to which perceived age discrimination in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the sense of loneliness and social isolation, fear and perception of COVID-19 risks, had a negative effect on older adults' mental illness. To do so, a self-report questionnaire was administered to 1301 participants (average age: 77.25 years old, SD = 5.46; 56.10% females, 43.90% males). Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed, along with structural equation modelling. Results showed that perceived age discrimination in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic positively predicts loneliness and also indirectly predicts mental illness. In addition, loneliness is the strongest predictor of mental illness together with fear of COVID-19 and social isolation. Such results highlight the importance of implementing public policies and discourses that are non-discriminating, and that favour the inclusion of older people.