Is there some age-discrimination in IT?

A relative of 45-years old with a CS master degree worked at a big software company as a program tester for 20 years. He got laid off last July and has sent out hundreds of CVs since, still without any offer so far(very few decent interviews).

He has a feeling that he might be viewed as an old dog by his age, and "long"staying with a single company doing a single task may hurt him too.

Is there some ground to think in that way?  Any suggestions to get around? 45 is too young to retire--let alone he has three kids with a stay home wife to take care.

Thanks in advance!