ABSTRACT
Although ageism in social work has received less attention than other forms of oppression such as sexism or racism, it exerts a powerful influence on policy and practice. This chapter examines understandings of age, ageing and old age and considers what may lie behind the separation of old age from, in particular, the rest of adulthood. Through focusing on social work with people with dementia, the authors illustrate the ways in which ignorance and negative assumptions can stultify practice. Examples are provided of positive practice which values individuality and inclusion and which seeks to establish social work practice with older people as truly ‘person-centred’.
