For some, reading my chapter in this book may feel like I’m ripping off a Band-Aid, or worse. It may feel like a betrayal. It may sound ‘angry’. There will definitely be moments of discomfort, denial, and even disbelief that a ‘retired’ dementia self-advocate could, and would dare to say many of the things I’ve written. However, I invite you to sit with it, in the understanding that when I wrote it (about 18 months ago) I was motivated by love, and a desperate desire for tangible change for ALL people wih dementia, of all ages. I am still motivated by love, and, can report that things were just as uncomfortable for me to even consider these elephants and then to write it.

It will potentially be painful for many of you, for some time into the future. It was indeed, painful re-reading what I felt compelled to consider, investigate and write about.

I’m very aware it may result in more bullying, and further cancel culture. For example, like one of my friends in the UK, I never get invited to conferences or meetings now where I have a known different option to the status quo, or the goals of the fundraising or research. It has been a fascinating experience daring to have a different opinion.

My chapter is titled: About Us Without All of Us: The Elephants in the Room 

It begins with:

Forgive no error you recognize, it will repeat itself. 

– Yevgeny Yevtushenko 

Summary of Ageing of the Oppressed: A Pandemic of Intersectional Injustice

Ageing of the Oppressed: A Pandemic of Intersectional Injustice explores what it is like to grow older with accumulating and intersecting discrimination. It condemns ageism and other “isms.” Despite its visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, ageism is not a new phenomenon but one that has been ignored for too long by policymakers and the general population. The negative language used to describe population ageing adds fuel to the fire by filling people’s minds with ageist images that permeate all levels and sectors of society. We should all be recognized as full human rights holders, no matter our age, ability, disability, gender or sexual orientation, race, or socio-economic or any other status. This book combines theoretical models and academic essays by top experts with the real-life experience of older persons and activists. It is a must-read for advocates for human rights; policymakers; service providers; students of social and health sciences, the humanities, and law; and anybody willing to challenge assumptions and practices. The proposed UN Convention on the human rights of older persons will be a step forward to providing older persons with a remedy for daily and often life-long oppression.

Silvia Perel-Levin, a highly respected international expert and leading advocate on human rights and ageing, has brought together contributors from around the world and from different disciplines to reflect on ageing, human rights, and oppression in its many forms. The book offers provocative, moving, and powerful stories and analyses of marginalization in older age and the interaction of age and other forms of discrimination in the denial of human rights. The book demands of its readers that they reflect deeply on their own ageism, prejudices, and complacency. A must-have for anyone interested in ageing, human rights, law, and structures of power in our societies. 

– Jane Barrett, Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing.

As an eminent global advocate for the improvement of human rights of all citizens and most especially older people, Silvia Perel-Levin is well qualified to bring together leading experts in their field to convey through storytelling the manifest urgency for formal recognition and collective action against unjust treatment in all its forms. Each narrative will leave an imprint on your soul of the pain of being human yet most importantly the innate power in voice and meaningful engagement. 

– Andrew Byrnes, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of New South Wales, Sydney.

Silvia Perel-Levin (Volume editor) is an advocate for the human rights of older persons at international organizations, and as an independent consultant. She has a B.A. in Social Theater from Tel Aviv University and an M.Sc. in Inter-Professional Practice, Society, and Violence from City University London.