If you watch TV, you most likely have seen the Pradaxa ad - takes the place of Warfarin.

So, they have this warning about being over 75 and possible bleeding. OK, so far. Then they show a sort of fat gentleman looking totally out-of-shape sitting on a stool as an example of someone over 75, then someone - his daughter?? - heling him get off the stool as if he doesn't have the balance to do it himself, then him looking around as if he has no clue what is going on - then sitting with his daughter?? where she obviously is the one in the know and he is still slightly befuddled.

Grrrrr!!

Well, a fat man sitting on a stool in a bit of a stupor sure sounds like a lot of 25-year-old folks I have seen. Anyway, thanks for giving me another reason to not own a T.V. Cousin Philo never had one in his house and he invented the darned thing. I think he had a point.

Everyone knows old men are fat, have lost their minds, and can't get it up anymore. Old women are the opposite, but have a habit of falling down and not being able to get back up.

It does strike me as odd that younger people see seniority on the job or in school as justification for respect. But for some reason those same younger people who demand respect for their seniority feel it's okay to mock others who are senior to them in age. Strange, eh?

I hear you, DF, but it not just 70+ that are stereo-typed in an insulting manner. Recently, I saw a TV advertisement that featured an attractive and fit woman in her 50s wearing stylish clothes and a fashionable haircut, striding confidently down a busy street. The ad caught my attention because rarely are 50+ women portrayed in commercials without 1) gray hair 2) grandchildren 3)scrubbing a toilet or 4) scolding their long suffering husbands. i waited until the end of the ad to see what the product was. It was an ad for "Depends."
Cut. Me. A. Break.

Yes, many groujps get it. I am particularly aware of two groups with which I have a lot of contact: 1. individuals with disabilities and 2. Folks who are at older ages.

But, don't ask my wife about the differences in how women are treated by MD's, which is one reason I go with her on significant appointments.

So, it is ubuquitous.

I think I saw that ad; I remember thinking "you gotta be *****ting me!".

The target audience of that piece brings to mind the old saying - "Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people."

Seems like us 'seniors' really get stereotyped!
Have had folks ask us increduously: "You are HOW old?"
Geez, get a life . . .
Asked what do we consider to be 'old age'; answer: 10 years older than us!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Stereo types can work in reverse. I am 65 in January-Official retiring age in the UK- and I had to have a chat with my manager about retirement. I am going to stop work at the end of April and informed the MD of this fact. The MD wanted to know how I was going to get on Financially if I retired early and did I want a part time job to see me through. He thought I was only 60 and he would have me for another 5 years. In fact he now has to rethink his plans as he was planning to send me on a few courses to retrain me as a desk jockey to ease me into my "Twilight" years. How the hell he got that idea-I do not know. I feel 65- I want to stop work soon and can't wait to be able to spent my time doing my things for a change.

Seems that as soon as you start feeling your age- You are going to start looking and acting it.

Your doctor doesn't know how old you are??? Is it just him or is this a statement about the quality of socialized medicine in the UK? (seriously - I'm asking.)

Also, why did he only "think" he would have you for 5 more years? Are you forced to change to a different doctor when you are 65?

MD--Managing Director.

This is why I don't watch much TV, or read newspapers. I have enough drama in my life without adding more~!



This sorta sums it up for me - am glad it was posted in another thread

I got carded the other day to see if I qualified for the seniors discount, it kicked in at 50, I'm 62. Should I feel lucky or offended? Guess it's payback for never being carded in the bars/pubs when I was underaged and drinking in them.

Among the derogatory remarks made of older people those I find most offensive are: "Old geezer", "Old F___", and most condescending of all: "(age) years young". Young people are young; old people are old. Period. It's what you do with your life that counts, at any age. Soon to be 77 years old. Still aiming for a century ride.

Agree, and then why do we add to the social permission to use these phrases by calling ourselves these exact remarks?

I have never yet dropped the TV remote and had to call for help because I was unable to reach it.

For this year's vacation I was pleasantly surprised to find that I qualified for a lifetime seniors pass at national parks for less than the cost of just this year's entrance would have been. Then I used it on my bicycle for a ride of two circuits around Acadia's Park Loop Road, sandwiching a run up Cadillac Mountain, 45.6 miles, 3440 ft of climbing.

In yoga the other day the instructor asked me to help her with a demo, then made some very flattering remarks and asked me to tell the class how old I was. (She knew anyway.)

I have always felt that the day I stop doing something is the day I start not being able to do it.

I have finally polished most of the black tarnish off my hair so that the silver can shine through. At least for what hair I have left.

It ain't about growing old. It's about how active you are.

But I do look forward to retiring.

+1

I don't. But probably those who do don't want to be perceived as not being good sports, I don't know. All I know is that I have no desire to put myself in the position of receiving a "pat on the head". Or, to be reduced to being treated like a child. (However much I may display the enthusiasm of youth for adventure and action).

Stereo types are based on a large number with similar traits. Rather than be mad at the stereo type, be happy you don't fit in.

To tell the truth if the sterotyping of 70+ peeps is out there, I am too busy having fun to notice!! And/or it could be where I am immune to sterotyping as I am a minority and I grew up with racism all around. One learns how to tune out the negative and concentrate on the positive.

It's not reality it's advertising. If they thought portraying a 70 year old screwing sheep would sell a product it would be in a commercial.

+100!

My bank has this club for people who are 50 and over, and who have at least twenty five grand on deposit with them. They have lots of activities, mostly stuff I call "old people stuff".

This includes frequent trips to the casinos in Connecticut. Yeah, that's just what I want to do. This, along with trips to look at the mansions in Newport, RI. Huh?
No? How about a narrated bus tour of the finger lakes region of NY?
Thanks, but no thanks.

Miss Kenton, Do I understand correctly? There is an actual TV ad that features a smartly dressed business woman of about 50, and it was for Depends?
Double not amused.

I think I saw that one!

You know, I would like to do BOTH! Anything wrong with that? I am mad at the stereotype, because it leads folks into thinking that is how we SHOULD be treated (and some of us even encouraging that kind of treatment by our acquiescence and our own role modeling), and I am happy - very happy - that I am not that stereotype.

However, very few folks really are a stereotype, which is a major thing wrong with them, IMHO.