It's time to give elderly a voice

CAMPAIGNERS have called for the urgent appointment of an older people's tsar to tackle widespread age discrimination.

- Giles Sheldrick

The demand comes after a probe found millions of senior citizens are voiceless and lose out in Government decisions.

The drive by Independent Age, Age UK, the Centre for Ageing Better and the National Pensioners Convention follows a long running Daily Express campaign for issues that impact older people to be at the centre of policy.

A poll found three in four of over-65s do not believe that society understands the issues facing the UK's 13 million retirees.

Dame Esther Rantzen, who in 2013 founded The Silver Line helpline for older people, has long called for such an official position. The 83-year-old campaigner said: "It is clear ageism is so pervasive in this country.

"Every aspect of an older person's life is sliced up and divided between Government departments which inevitably means they fall through the gaps and end up at the bottom of the list of political priorities.

"Reluctant to complain, their voices go unheard. There is nobody who sees the whole picture, prioritises their issues and acts as their advocate. A Minister for Older People would be a crucial first step in changing negative ageist attitudes in this country."