Ageism & Age Discrimination
Ageism is stereotyping or discriminating based on a person's age. Research has shown that ageism negatively affects our mental and physical health. Older adults may experience discrimination in health care, housing, employment, and other settings based on ageist assumptions. These organizations and programs work to address the problems of ageism and age discrimination through education and advocacy.
Click on the v-shaped arrow to the right of each program description to view more information.
AARP offers information and advice on its website about recognizing and fighting age discrimination in employment.
Cost: free
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 601 E Street, NW, Washington DC 20049
Phone: (888) 687-2277
Website: https://www.aarp.org/work/working-at-50-plus/age-discrimination/
This on-line course offered by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) covers what ageism is, how it develops, and what effects ageism has on people of all ages. It also provides advice on how to more effectively communicate and interact with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Cost: GSA members $20, non-member $30
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1220 L Street NW, Suite 901, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 842-1275
Email: membership@geron.org
Website: https://www.geron.org/programs-services/education-center/ageism-first-aid
This state agency educates the public about anti-discrimination laws, investigates complaints, and enforces California civil rights laws to protect Californians against employment and housing discrimination, including age discrimination.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone in California
Address: 2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100, Elk Grove, CA 95758
Phone: (916) 478-7251 or (800) 884-1684
Email: contact.center@dfeh.ca.gov
Website: www.dfeh.ca.gov
Note: Email accommodations@dfeh.ca.gov or call (844) 541-2877 for disability accommodations
This non-profit helps low-income clients with a variety of legal issues, including employment discrimination.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: low income residents of the Sacramento region
Address: 1860 Howe Avenue, Suite 130, Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 551-2102
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
LeadingAge provides links on its website to resources about ageism as well as information about fair housing laws.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 2519 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 783-2242
Email: info@leadingage.org
Older adults can get free legal information and help with a variety of issues, including age discrimination.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: people 60 or older who live in the Sacramento area
Address: 515 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 551-2150
Email: lsnc.sacramento@lsnc.net
Website: https://lsnc.net/sites/default/files/inline-images/Redesigned%20Senior%20Handout%20(5).png
The Reframing Aging initiative seeks to improve how the public views aging and older adults by changing how we communicate about aging. Reframing experts can review communication materials, provide trainings and workshops, and offer technical assistance.
Cost: some resources or free, fees charged for trainings and other services
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1220 L Street NW, Suite 901 Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 842-1275
Email: reframingaging@geron.org
Website: https://www.reframingaging.org/
This federal agency provides information and enforces federal laws that protect older job applicants and workers from age discrimination. The EEOC also addresses other types of employment discrimination prohibited by federal law.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: employees 40 or older who engage with employers with 20 or more employees (see website for more information about who is protected under federal law)
Address: 131 M Street, NE, Washington, DC 20507
Phone: (202) 921-3191 or (800) 669-4000
Email: info@eeoc.gov
Website: https://www.eeoc.gov/age-discrimination
Note: For Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers: 800-669-6820 (TTY) or 844-234-5122 (ASL Video Phone);
HHS provides information about laws prohibiting age discrimination by federally-funded programs and handles complaints of age discrimination by HHS-funded programs.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: (800) 368-1019
Website: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/age-discrimination/index.html
The World Health Organization conducts research and raises awareness about ageism and its negative health consequences.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: Demographic Change and Healthy Ageing Unit, Department for Social Determinants of Health, 20, Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Email: delafuentenunezv@who.int or hello@decadeofhealthyageing.org
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This page was originally created by El'Lasha Marbley. Last updated 11/5/2022