Age is just a number, buttttttt..........
Age is just a number, buttttt……….
….when you are 55-60+ the number has a stigma attached to it and it doesn’t represent us as individuals. I wonder how many of my fellow DS-ers at times have experienced a difference in treatment just after they were asked to give their birth date? It is funny…….a-n-d maddening at the same time.
I could go all day listing more instances, but what I’m writing will give a gist of what I’m ticked-off about. Because of a number it is sometimes assumed our comprehension is in question so the interviewer speaks more precisely making sure to emphasize the important points of what is being discussed. If it’s a medical situation it is automatically assumed that our list of medications goes on and on into the stratosphere. I had to call BC/BS recently and got total sillence as the woman on the other end waited for me to tell her what else I have been prescribed in addition to the antidepressant I have been taking since losing Dick. She gave me the feeling she doubted me when I told her that's all I take. It is often assumed that we are sedentary and there is surprise when whoever we are dealing with finds we might be going to the gym, doing yoga, hiking, taking advanced courses in subjects of interest, etc. It is assumed that our blood pressure and other values are out of whack. The operative word here is “a-s-s-u-m-e” and it makes me crazy. Grrrrr!! Yes, like our younger counterparts, we have all dealt with some of these things in one way or another at times, but by-in-large we each have found a way to do what is needed to live our lives and function intelligently. I know there have been times when I could not do for myself in one way or another (thankfully, not major things), but somehow I’ve been able to find a way to do what needed to be done......on my own.
I know I have used a lot words to get to the bottom line, but, in a nutshell, what bugs me i-s……whoever we are dealing with and “assumes” has to know that since we have the ability to interact with them we are “all there” so to speak and just because we are a certain age doesn’t mean that we are not physically.......a-n-d mentally fit.
Also, an interesting sidelight to what I have just said…….it is often assumed that we are “out in left field” when it comes to present day technology. Heaven forbid we might know something about the internet, Facebook,, high definition, Wii-fit, texting, Blackberries, iPads, etc. Some of us do, but for those of us who are not familiar with (or just plain don’t give a darn) about some of these things it should be noted that we have gotten along without them and have survived….surprise, surprise!!! This reminds me of Albert Einstein when he was asked why it was he couldn’t remember a phone number or address (I’ve forgotten which) he responded he didn’t feel that this information was worthy enough to clutter up his mind because he knew where to go to get it when he needed it. As far as all this current technology is concerned if we haven’t gone there by choice, no sweat, we don’t want or need to clutter up our lives. These days our 5-year old kids are savvy and can take up the slack with these things when it’s needed. (many, many smiles)
Because of all this it is almost embarrassing to take advantage of “senior” perks in restaurants, etc. From what I’m hearing and seeing being called a “senior citizen” is a negative these days. Senior citizen seems to translate into feeble, foggy minded, not aware, lacking understanding, being bummed out on prescriptions…..in short, definitely “not cool.” Somebody plezzzzz call the medics!
It is frustrating at times because some of the very folks who "should be" doers are not living the lives they are capable of. It makes me sad for them because they are often sitting on their hands letting life pass them by.
I don’t know how anyone who has waded through this wordy entry feels……buttttttt saying my piece has made M-E feel better.
Life is interesting ain’t it………..
….when you are 55-60+ the number has a stigma attached to it and it doesn’t represent us as individuals. I wonder how many of my fellow DS-ers at times have experienced a difference in treatment just after they were asked to give their birth date? It is funny…….a-n-d maddening at the same time.
I could go all day listing more instances, but what I’m writing will give a gist of what I’m ticked-off about. Because of a number it is sometimes assumed our comprehension is in question so the interviewer speaks more precisely making sure to emphasize the important points of what is being discussed. If it’s a medical situation it is automatically assumed that our list of medications goes on and on into the stratosphere. I had to call BC/BS recently and got total sillence as the woman on the other end waited for me to tell her what else I have been prescribed in addition to the antidepressant I have been taking since losing Dick. She gave me the feeling she doubted me when I told her that's all I take. It is often assumed that we are sedentary and there is surprise when whoever we are dealing with finds we might be going to the gym, doing yoga, hiking, taking advanced courses in subjects of interest, etc. It is assumed that our blood pressure and other values are out of whack. The operative word here is “a-s-s-u-m-e” and it makes me crazy. Grrrrr!! Yes, like our younger counterparts, we have all dealt with some of these things in one way or another at times, but by-in-large we each have found a way to do what is needed to live our lives and function intelligently. I know there have been times when I could not do for myself in one way or another (thankfully, not major things), but somehow I’ve been able to find a way to do what needed to be done......on my own.
I know I have used a lot words to get to the bottom line, but, in a nutshell, what bugs me i-s……whoever we are dealing with and “assumes” has to know that since we have the ability to interact with them we are “all there” so to speak and just because we are a certain age doesn’t mean that we are not physically.......a-n-d mentally fit.
Also, an interesting sidelight to what I have just said…….it is often assumed that we are “out in left field” when it comes to present day technology. Heaven forbid we might know something about the internet, Facebook,, high definition, Wii-fit, texting, Blackberries, iPads, etc. Some of us do, but for those of us who are not familiar with (or just plain don’t give a darn) about some of these things it should be noted that we have gotten along without them and have survived….surprise, surprise!!! This reminds me of Albert Einstein when he was asked why it was he couldn’t remember a phone number or address (I’ve forgotten which) he responded he didn’t feel that this information was worthy enough to clutter up his mind because he knew where to go to get it when he needed it. As far as all this current technology is concerned if we haven’t gone there by choice, no sweat, we don’t want or need to clutter up our lives. These days our 5-year old kids are savvy and can take up the slack with these things when it’s needed. (many, many smiles)
Because of all this it is almost embarrassing to take advantage of “senior” perks in restaurants, etc. From what I’m hearing and seeing being called a “senior citizen” is a negative these days. Senior citizen seems to translate into feeble, foggy minded, not aware, lacking understanding, being bummed out on prescriptions…..in short, definitely “not cool.” Somebody plezzzzz call the medics!
It is frustrating at times because some of the very folks who "should be" doers are not living the lives they are capable of. It makes me sad for them because they are often sitting on their hands letting life pass them by.
I don’t know how anyone who has waded through this wordy entry feels……buttttttt saying my piece has made M-E feel better.
Life is interesting ain’t it………..
Replies
Thinking of you, I\'m 48, (birthday today!! =0) so I\'m in the middle, young people look at me as old, but still, I\'m not that old yet,.. let me say this,.. you are as young as you feel,.. my dad, 83 and counting, is as spry as they get, even tho hes in bad shape,.. while visiting, a few months back, we went out to dinner, my dad insisted on the senior discount,( they forgot,) he let her know,(the waitress) in no uncertain terms,.. yes, hes older than her, but still expects her to give him the respect, and discount, that he deserves,.. Even tho hes older, and outspoken, I thought he was very \"cool\" for letting her know, her gaff,.. and keeping his sense of humor, thru it all,.. my dad wont touch the computer,..I can write, and send pics and stuff, but my dads wife, opens them and reads them to my dad,..he says hes not intersted, in the internet,.. yet, when he wants to buy something, he knows to get Agnis,(his wife,) cause thru the Internet, you can get great buys, and deals sometimes,.. shes a wis, at the tech stuff,.. just finding sites, and emails and stuff, ,,I\'m hoping you feel better, im thinking of you, your friend, Dave,..
Just had my 65th birthday the middle of this month and yes it is funny how we are perceived. I am fortunate and don\'t have to take meds for anything except depression (because of Jim\'s death). I only \"feel\" old when someone (usually much younger) reminds me of my age!!!! Not computer challanged but I will admit my ipod gives me a problem once in a while.
Hugs, Dianne
I am about to turn 60 in Dec. and as you say it is just a number but I believe as you each time someone asks me my birth date I want to say something else!
I feel good about myself and how I look for my age but again as you say they assume. I am very up on all the latest technology because it interest me and I love all the gadgets. I just bought a bluetooth headset for my iPhone. I work in the electronics industry so that also helps me stay aware of what is going on. But regardless of how old I live to I will always stay up with what goes on in the world around me because I am one of those people that just has to know a little something about everything..Ellen
The difference in treatment does bother me. I have also experienced age discrimination in search for work. There is a stigma, and it is a shame. The poetic justice is this: If they life long enough, the perpetrators of this insult will experience it themselves.