Concerns about older people being mistreated in work in Northern Ireland are on the increase.

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey found one in five people believed their old friends had been singled out in the workplace - twice as many as in 2003.

Researcher Dr Ann Marie Gray said: "It is possible that some of the increase in unfairness and discrimination against older people may be due to greater awareness of ageism and more sensitivity to the issues.
"That society seems to have more positive views about how older people are respected and treated generally is a welcome development but clearly much remains to be done.

"The strong view that older people have not been adequately represented also poses significant challenges for policy makers and politicians in Northern Ireland."

Ageism

She said older people themselves were most likely to think things have changed for the better in how they are treated.

It has been five years since her team last looked at the topic.

Since 2003 there has been a fall of 9% in the number of those who feel older people are treated with less respect because of their age, with just over a quarter thinking this is the case.

The "angry generation" aged between 44 and 59 is most likely to perceive inequality and discrimination.

Three quarters of those polled felt the government was not doing enough for older people.

Almost a third of the 1,200 adults asked believed a friend or family member were treated with less dignity and respect by people in the health and social care professions because of their age.

Four fifths agreed an independent champion of their needs was necessary.

Over half said politicians were not doing that job adequately.

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey is run by ARK, a joint research initiative between Queen's University and the University of Ulster.

Dr Gray added: "While the population as a whole feel that things may be slightly better for older people, there is a growing sense that institutions and professions discriminate against older people."