Comedian Rod Quantock gets serious about ageing

No matter how old we might be today, we are all getting older. If we’re lucky, we will live long enough to be considered an older person. It’s fair to say that discriminating against older people now is the same as discriminating against our future selves.

We often think about getting older in negative terms. By changing the way we think about getting older now we have the opportunity to work together to create a society where every person is valued, connected and respected, regardless of age and health. Positive community and self-perceptions about ageing are good for all of us.

In this episode Colin Tyrus speaks with two older Australians to learn more about what ageism looks like and the impact it has on everyday lives.

How old is older? Ask people at different stages of their lives and they’ll give you different answers. A five-year-old thinks a 35-year-old is ancient while the 35-year-old thinks that 65 and retirement are the end of productive life.

The reality is that we all age differently and that there is no age where people become less capable, less worthy, less useful…simply less. In the 21st century it is common for people in their 60’s, 70’s and beyond to work, study, volunteer, mentor, advocate and more.

In this episode Colin Tyrus speaks with comedian, speaker and social activist Rod Quantock OAM about his experiences of an active life as an older person.

Light in tone yet addressing a serious issue, episode one of this podcast series delves into the hidden issue of age discrimination and elder abuse. Comedian and social activist Rod Quantock made the podcast for young and old alike because we as a society need to step up to challenge ageist and sexist attitudes and to empower older people to know their rights and act on them.

The podcast features Rod Quantock interviewing:

• Gerard Mansour, Commissioner for Senior Victorians and Advocate for Elder Abuse Prevention
• Gary Ferguson, Community Education Co-ordinator  – Seniors Rights Victoria
• Michelle Lord, Elder Abuse Prevention Network Project Lead – Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership