The first thing you have to know about being older is that it’s a surprise to almost everyone.
 
Those of us of a certain age certainly understand age spots, thinning skin and hair. Perhaps we move a little slower than we used to, but – trust me – inside lives and breathes a younger self who can barely believe the image of their parent in the mirror.

Old is not a specific age. You know people who seem old at 45 and others in their 70s or 80s who seem young and vibrant. There are people in their 90s who are working daily on their investments, painting wonderful pictures or writing books that younger folks will marvel at, enjoy and buy.

So, what else is different about being older?

Because it’s starting to happen to me, I find some people’s reaction to my older self often is rude or solicitous. Salespeople, who often seem to choose their preferred customer and it isn’t the person they’re talking to, respond to me and those who are EVEN OLDER as if we are hard of hearing, slow to comprehend – or the one that brings the young, more abrasive me to the forefront – like someone’s cute pet.

Those of us in senior living know that the older target market members are savvy, bright, experienced, knowledgeable, and have the means to do what they want to do or buy what they want to buy.
 
When dealing with an older person, take a moment to look beyond any physical frailty or your own stereotypical reaction and meet the “real” person. You’ll be combating the last “ism” is this country.

Ageism is alive and well in the everyday world and that’s really the surprise when it happens. It’s what’s different about being older.