Growing Older, Part Two

In my last entry I wrote my own personal views about getting older. It is hard to be middle aged woman without feeling you are useless and a burden to society; compared to a man that can continued to be recognize as wise and distinguish. I am not trying to be evasive to anyone. But, it does amazes me after two years of writing my entry,the older you get, the harder it becomes not just as a middle aged woman but for anyone who turns 50+.

The ironic part about this is Americans are living longer than elderly people have before them did. Because of the knowledge and technology we are living in a society where the elderly could live to see 100 years old. Unfortunately, with all this technology at our disposal, the elderly in many ways are still dismissed.
Yes, as you get older, you have a lot of different things beginning to change. Scientifically, your brain function doesn't work as it does for say someone who is in their early 20's.Arthritis begins to grab you in places you never knew before would, and what use to become so easy for you is a little harder to do than before. Here again, it doesn't mean we are useless.

In an article, "Fighting Age Discrimination: New AARP Survey" reveals how the elderly can not find full-time jobs as easily as they would like. "Why you should care? Age discrimination is in my view a major reason why it takes so much longer for older job seekers to land a new job." "And even when you have a job, you probably feel vulnerable." "Your chances of promotions may be increasingly limited and there’s a nagging feeling that when the music screeches to a stop, there will be no chair for you." expresses Kerry Hannon;contributor writer for Forbes.

Another article, Is Living Longer More Than We Bargained For? America’s Crisis in Aging, Remarks of Edwin J. Pittock, President, Society of Certified Senior Advisors, Delivered To Abilene Business & Estate Planning Council
January 14, 2004, stating that "11% of the people in the United States who are 65 and older live at the poverty level. Eleven percent – that’s three point eight million people, or the equivalent of the population of Los Angeles and Denver combined. They barely have an existence, and they don’t have any assets. They’re barely getting by. For them, old age is the dark at the end of the tunnel."

Besides "Ageism," and "Poverty," "Mental Disorders" are another factor in getting older."American Psychology Association describes how, "approximately 20% of adults ages 55 and older suffer from a mental disorder, the most common being anxiety disorders (e.g., generalize anxiety and panic disorders), severe cognitive impairment (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), and mood disorders (e.g., depression and bipolar disorder). (AOA, 2001) In 2005, nearly half of nursing home residents had dementia, and 20 percent had other psychological diagnoses (Houser et al., 2006." These issues can make anyone who is over 50, skeptical of their own futures or just believing in themselves.

Believe me, I am the type of person that feels everyone should be treated importantly. Those who are younger than 50 should have just as many rights as the elderly. However, because of our society thriving on the young seems to be more important, than a person getting older, as we become non-existence. But, these problems are far from being non-existence. It is a reality all Americans should be aware of.

Some of your best well known people didn't reach their goals until they were in their 50's. "Ronald Regan," Julia Childs, "Laura Ingall Wilder," "Colonel Sanders," to name just a few. From being a "President of the United States to a Famous Chef, they all contribute to our society in a way that is most memorable to us.

Today with television shows such as "Hot in Cleveland," "Person of Interest," "Nashville," and many others I've not mention feature more older characters than ever before. Magazines such as "Good Housekeeping," Better Homes and Gardens," and "AARP" feature articles that help with those over 50. Even our broadcaster/Talk show host are featuring more of those over in their 50's to appeal to the older audience.

As a whole, being in your 50's+ range has been recognized. But, unless American's begin to see just how each and everyone of us are, instead of always appealing to the younger crowd, financially, economically or mentally, the older crowd will always be discriminated for just being older.

Footnotes:
a.) "Fighting Age Discrimination: New AARP Survey" http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2012/06/21/fighting-age-discrimination-new-aarp-survey/, Kerry Hannon, Contributor, b.) CNN LIVING, "Famous folks launched careers after 50. By Ethan Trex, Mental Floss, May 16, 2010 8:58 a.m. EDT c.) American Psycology Assocation, http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/aging/mental-health.aspx, d.)Is Living Longer More Than We Bargained For? America’s Crisis in Aging, http://www.csa.us/SeniorPopulationGrowth.aspx