Older people have felt unseen, unheard and undervalued too often in health care. The Australian Human Rights Commission’s research aimed to examine the nature and impacts of ageist attitudes and practices in healthcare settings and explore older adults’ perceptions and experiences of ageism in Australian healthcare settings. A qualitative approach was adopted, combining a literature review with interviews and focus groups with older individuals, their families, and advocates. Older adults reported ageism across multiple levels of the healthcare system, from interpersonal interactions with health professionals to broader health system and policy contexts. Participants described interactions with health professionals where they felt disrespected and disempowered, including being spoken to in simplified or condescending language, and encountering insensitive remarks about their age. They reported having their concerns dismissed and being excluded from discussions and decisions about their own care. These experiences raised concerns about missed diagnoses and delayed treatment and reduced older adults’ confidence in the care they received. Ageism is a barrier to high quality, person-centred care. From interpersonal interactions with health professionals to health policies, older adults emphasised the importance of being treated with respect and being recognised as individuals rather than defined by age. This research highlights strategies that promote more inclusive and respectful health policy and practice and proposes greater collaboration with health professionals and leaders to examine the structural and cultural drivers of ageism in healthcare. Australian Human Rights Commission (2025), The age barrier: Older adults’ experiences of ageism in health care, Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney.