Stop Telling Me I’m Old!

Please stop telling me I’m old!

When I turned 40, an interesting thing happened: I officially became a “protected class” member due to my age. Nothing felt different personally, but suddenly the world started treating me differently.

This shift becomes increasingly apparent with each passing decade. At 50, the AARP subscription appears uninvited in my mailbox. By 55, restaurants eagerly began offering me the “senior special.” And when Medicare kicked in at 65, that’s when the real changes begin.
 

My Medicare Wake-Up Call

Recently, my CPAP machine for sleep apnea stopped working. Before Medicare, I could simply visit the sleep center and walk out with a replacement the same day. Under Medicare, I was told to wait 10-14 days for a shipped replacement—despite years of being told this equipment was essential for nightly use!

I ended up fixing the machine myself through YouTube tutorials. When the replacement finally arrived, it was an older model than what I previously had. When I questioned this, the response was simply “that’s how the Medicare plan works.”

The experiences left me feeling marginalized by a system supposedly designed to help.
 

The Reality of Age Discrimination

As a career coach working with mid-to-late career professionals, I’ve seen firsthand that age discrimination remains their number one concern. Yet virtually none of these accomplished professionals feel old or incapable. They know they have the drive, energy, and ability to excel alongside younger colleagues—it’s external perceptions and biases holding them back.

We need meaningful changes in how our systems—both healthcare and employment—treat older adults. Whether you’re retired or still working, the challenge remains the same: maintaining dignity and agency as you age.

Watch my video to hear more about my personal experiences with aging and how external systems often make us feel marginalized when we’re perfectly capable.

Stop Telling Me I’m Old

Let’s refuse to be marginalized simply because of a number