According to a study published in Research on Aging, approximately 63% of seniors have experienced discrimination on the basis of age, and 30% have been mistreated because of their age. Respondents in the study also reported being discriminated against based on gender, race, ancestry, and to some extent, disability and appearance.

The study began in 2006, and at the time, all the people in the study were about 50 years of age. The data came from the federal Health and Retirement Study. There were about 6, 400 people included in the study. The researchers wanted to find out what seniors thought about discriminatory behavior. They were not surprised at the high proportion of seniors who said that they experienced discriminatory behavior.

However, the researchers also found that some categories of persons were more likely to report discriminatory behavior than others. For instance, black Americans, and seniors in a financially weaker position were more likely to experience discrimination. Interestingly enough, people who were divorced, widowed or separated reported higher levels of discrimination. In contrast, whites, those who were married or in a relationship, and those who had significant household assets, were less likely to face discrimination.

None of this should be news to any California discrimination lawyer, but the researchers also found that such discrimination was linked to higher rates of depression and poor mental health. When blacks and people in lower financial positions are discriminated against, it is a greater concern because these people may not have access to psychological facilities necessary to deal with depression and other mental health problems.

The researchers also found it interesting that people who felt harassed or threatened, or felt that others were afraid of them were affected differently by discrimination, compared to those who suffered more severe effects of discrimination, like the loss of a job opportunity because of age, or unwarranted questioning by police because of race.