This paper explores the treatment of the elderly in relation to the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of age. Such discrimination, often a consequence of social stigma, places the elderly at a disadvantage, preventing their full participation, among other areas, in the labor market. I discuss how key steps to achieve an effective age equality strategy have been set down through anti-discrimination legislation and the clarifications of the judiciary, both at EU and Council of Europe levels. The author also emphasizes the need to reach a reasonable balance between turnover rates, even during periods of economic hardships with the promotion of effective remedies against differential treatment of the elderly based on their age.

This paper explores the treatment of the elderly in relation to the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of age. Such discrimination, often a consequence of social stigma, places the elderly at a disadvantage, preventing their full participation, among other areas, in the labor market. I discuss how key steps to achieve an effective age equality strategy have been set down through anti-discrimination legislation and the clarifications of the judiciary, both at EU and Council of Europe levels. The author also emphasizes the need to reach a reasonable balance between turnover rates, even during periods of economic hardships with the promotion of effective remedies against differential treatment of the elderly based on their age.