Age and Dignity: Anti-ageist Theory and Practice by Neil Thompson and Gerry R. Cox explores the impact of ageism in working with older people, building upon and updating Thompson’s 1995 work of the same name, which similarly outlined the scope and consequences of age-based discrimination. By analysing the personal, cultural and structural dimensions of ageism, the authors demonstrate the necessity of adopting an anti-ageist approach that centres both holistic and person-centred care. Accordingly, the book is grounded in practice, with the dual aims of highlighting the complexities of working with older people and offering effective solutions to these challenges.

The book is divided into two main sections which respectively detail the theoretical and practical aspects of ageing. The first section, ‘Ageing in context’, provides a theoretical interpretation of ageism and the ageing process, from which good practice can be developed. In Chapter 1, ‘Understanding ageism’, the authors introduce the various forms of oppression that older people face as a social group, including dehumanisation, stereotyping and abuse. Chapter 2, ‘Dimensions of ageing’, presents an anti-ageist perspective comprising psychological, social, political and spiritual factors, alongside the often overemphasised biological dimension. Chapter 3 grounds this discussion in ‘The policy context’ by emphasising that policies can constrain or empower older people, as through restricting rights and resources, or safeguarding wellbeing and participation. Chapter 4, ‘The sociology of ageing’, elaborates on the structural dimension of ageism by discussing how institutions, discourses, expectations and relationships socially construct negative perceptions of old age. The authors suggest that the family is a primary site of this socialisation. Concluding this section, Chapter 5, ‘Cultural differences in ageing’, contrasts the dominant Western notion of ‘ageing as decline’ (p. 106) with more nuanced views from Native American and Asian cultures, revealing the cultural dimension of ageism.

The second section, ‘Responding to the challenges of ageing’, details the reality of working with older people amidst ageist perspectives and practices. To establish the need for a more sensitive and person-centred approach, Chapter 6, ‘Assaults on dignity’, outlines the challenges of disabling illnesses, communication difficulties and internalised oppression, which are commonly faced by older people and their carers. In response, Chapter 7, ‘Promoting dignified care’, considers what anti-ageist practice could entail across eight areas: assessment, care management, counselling, advocacy, reciprocity, safeguarding, creative methods and assistive technology. Chapter 8 normalises ‘The challenges of dementia’, and exemplifies Kitwood’s person-centred approach as an effective method for managing these issues. Chapter 9, ‘Caring for the carers’, elevates support strategies that could be utilised to lessen the pressures faced by informal carers. The final chapter, ‘Loss, grief and facing death’, closes this section by providing professionals with relevant theories and strategies to support older people through the grieving process, thereby challenging the ageist stereotype that older people become accustomed to death. This chapter’s skilled exploration of grief and loss evidences the authors’ expertise in this field.

The Conclusion reiterates the importance of better prioritising older people in the future. It also provides a summary of recommendations through clearly defined guidelines for anti-ageist practice.

Age and Dignity provides a comprehensive overview of ageing and older age that draws from key sociological theories and scholars. With examples and exercises throughout, the authors encourage readers to reflect upon their own biases and experiences, cementing the book’s practical orientation. Moreover, comparisons to other types of discrimination, like sexism, racism and homophobia, establish ageism as a central social division, underscoring the importance of embedding anti-ageist practice within equality, diversity and inclusion frameworks. As such, while the authors state that their intended audience is people who work with ageing and older people, the book could additionally be of interest to students, academics and professionals who work with minority rights and advocacy.

Despite its breadth, however, the omission of more nuanced aspects of ageing and ageism result in the book feeling somewhat incomplete. A prime example is that, in attempting to oppose the assumption that disability and illness are an innate feature of old age, the authors fail to explore significant intersections between ageism and ableism, and repeatedly overlook opportunities to deepen discussion through reference to disability, as is done with class, gender, sexuality and ethnicity. Although not integral to its objectives, exploration of more diverse cultural views, historical perspectives and the needs of paid carers could have similarly enhanced the book’s depth. Additionally, further exploration of Kitwood’s person-centred approach may have yielded a more comprehensive charter for anti-ageist practice. Despite these concerns, the authors make the topics of ageism and anti-ageist practice accessible to readers, providing a thorough introduction to the field of ageing and working with older people.