Lend me some money – I’ll buy you a present

Apparently, the most widespread discrimination in the UK is ageism, probably because it can apply to any age group.

I think it only applies to older people. I firmly believe people reserve its use for looking at, speaking to, or annoying old codgers like me. Please note that one definition of ‘Old Codger’ is an eccentric but amusing old man, although Mrs B disputes this. Eccentric yes, but…

Whatever. Society’s view of older people is interesting, though. The public believes that around 25% of older people (65+) live in care homes, but in reality, it is only about 2.5%. Worse still is that children (perhaps our own grandchildren) as young as three develop stereotypes about older people.

I was in a bookshop with Mrs B and our grandson, then six years old. He made a beeline for the second-hand titles. Within seconds, he returned to my side. ‘Can I have some money, Pappi?’ he asked. ‘I’d like to buy you a present.’ This is a normal fiscal arrangement, as it was with our children when they were young.

‘How much?’ was my auto response.

He held out a hand. ‘Two pounds please.’ I handed it over. He went off a happy chappie and returned a few minutes later. ‘Here you are.’

‘Thank you, George.’ I bent down to hug him. He beamed at me as I looked at the book cover. I was holding a copy of the Are You a Grumpy Old Git Quiz book. Frankly, George had nailed it, but please don’t tell him.

We receive constant reminders of our aging process. I call it ‘getting less young’, but the effect is the same. There are so many terms that apply to age and its barriers, discriminations and restrictions. You could debate the real meaning of terms such as ageist, ageism, age discrimination, age stereotyping and age barrier until the old codgers find their way home. But the most questionable term has to be ‘retirement age’.

Defined as the age at which a person is expected or required to retire from employment, it’s definitely open to debate. Many people think the retirement age in the UK is 66. That’s not the case. That is the age when both men and women qualify (presuming they meet the qualification criteria) for a State Pension. There used to be a default retirement age of 65 but not any longer – you can work until any age you want. Well, in theory, because there are exceptions. Employers can stipulate retirement where the job requires certain physical abilities (e.g. construction industry) or has an age limit set by law (e.g. the fire service).

But there are many employers out there and many young people who think you should give it up when they say, to make room for the next wave.

Well, sadly, many can’t give up work. More and more, people are looking to work even after receiving pensions, whether they feel like it, or whether they’re fully fit.

Research by an old age charity suggests around 54% of over 60s (that’s around 8.9 million people) are worried they can’t pay their energy bills. And 44% (7.3 million) have cut back on social and leisure activities to make ends meet this winter. That’s a lot of cold and lonely people.

Millions of pensioners are simply existing or living in fear of the future. The harsh economic realities of being old in the UK in the 2020s are that your retirement age may well match the date on your death certificate. It’s a depressingly scary thought – but it’s reality.

So, not everyone can just step aside even if they wanted to, and it’s crazy to suggest they should. Older people have a vital role to play in any community. We do important jobs.

Can you imagine a 25-year-old Father Christmas, who insists on working from home? Completely unbelievable.