How Experience is being Ignored in the Workplace & on Telly

Aged 65 and 'On the Scrapheap'

"Most of the instances [of ageism] seem to occur on TV but I was also told that because of my age I would have to leave a job that I loved (aged 65 at the time). The [organisation] I worked for have since been told that this is illegal. My dismissal was blatant ageism. My boss was very sorry but he said that he needed to get a younger person into the position; he employed a woman of about 30.

When I lost my job I felt very bitter. My husband had just died and apart from the financial loss, I lost a lot of support and friendship from people I worked with. I have kept the friendships with many of them but really felt that I was on the scrapheap."

'A Cleaver Antique' 

"The other incident that prompted me to write this blog was that I was watching a quiz programme on TV and the male contestant of 73 who did extremely well was described as 'a clever antique'. I think this is insulting. I also note that on many TV programmes anyone who is in their 60's, 70's or even older is described with almost bated breath as if they are some strange species. Even on mind numbing programmes where they feature fashion or make-up information the age range does not seem to go beyond 50.

I am sure it is ageism. It is almost as if we don't exist and if anyone over the age of 60 dares to rear their head they are regarded almost as an alien species or treated as if they are a sandwich short of a picnic.

I feel that a wealth of experience and expertise is just being ignored and I salute any older person who rebels in whatever way they choose to do so."

Too Old to Travel?

Father made to feel 'old and vulnerable’

“My father, who is an experienced traveller, phoned up the local GP surgery to arrange for a yellow fever vaccination as he and my mother are going on an Amazonian adventure in a few weeks time.

The nurse told my father that in her opinion he should not be taking the risk of having the vaccination and that she would advise that 'at his age' it was too dangerous, she went on to say that if she had been consulted she would have recommended against my dad taking the trip at 'his age'.

Any risks associated with a vaccine are surely determined by someone's underlying general health not their age. My father is much fitter than I am, he cycles about 10 miles a day, at age 65 he cycled from Land’s End to John O'Groats in 9 days and since retiring 6 years ago he and mum have been round the world twice.

I am really annoyed because the nurse genuinely scared my dad. As of yet he has not been for the vaccination - without the yellow fever vaccination he will not be able to travel and so is potentially jeopardising his and mum's trip. He has said it has made him feel 'old and vulnerable' - neither of which I would readily associate with him.”