Since I've been staying with my mother, I've been watching a lot of 60 Minutes, the national evening news, and other shows that target the elderly demographic. Most of what we see are pharmaceutical ads, with a few financial advisers sprinkled in. And these folks are having the time of their lives because of the liberation provided by one drug or another. They're going up in hot air balloons, creating and selling crafts at fairs, playing catch with their grandkids (reminds me of the old "doctor, will I play the violin?" joke.) But I have a different beef and have written to several pharma companies to let them know: In most cases, everyone seems to live in a world without the pandemic. In the first few months last year, I could understand--it takes a lot of $$ and effort to produce new ads. But after a year, it's really shameful and irresponsible for drug companies, in particular, to ignore a reality critical to older (and other) people. They do everything they can to show us how "normal" they can make life for us--why not use it as an opportunity to provide the important public service of showing consumers how they can have better lives products while practicing safe behavior?
The truth is, some of us in our late 60's and early 70's are still taking care of parents in their 90's and 100+. These elderly in the commercials....I know few like them, unless they are in their 80's! I think the baby boomers have gone beyond suffering from the Peter Pan syndrome, and are, instead, practicing age-defying magic!
Since I've been staying with my mother, I've been watching a lot of 60 Minutes, the national evening news, and other shows that target the elderly demographic. Most of what we see are pharmaceutical ads, with a few financial advisers sprinkled in. And these folks are having the time of their lives because of the liberation provided by one drug or another. They're going up in hot air balloons, creating and selling crafts at fairs, playing catch with their grandkids (reminds me of the old "doctor, will I play the violin?" joke.) But I have a different beef and have written to several pharma companies to let them know: In most cases, everyone seems to live in a world without the pandemic. In the first few months last year, I could understand--it takes a lot of $$ and effort to produce new ads. But after a year, it's really shameful and irresponsible for drug companies, in particular, to ignore a reality critical to older (and other) people. They do everything they can to show us how "normal" they can make life for us--why not use it as an opportunity to provide the important public service of showing consumers how they can have better lives products while practicing safe behavior?
We are the 800 lb gorilla in the room: greater in numbers and wealth. Even if ignored by others, I’m perfectly content in my own fur.
All I can say is I’m glad they’re not portraying MY retired image in the media.
Well researched and well written, this is an important observation that needs to be read and acted upon by people of all ages!
The truth is, some of us in our late 60's and early 70's are still taking care of parents in their 90's and 100+. These elderly in the commercials....I know few like them, unless they are in their 80's! I think the baby boomers have gone beyond suffering from the Peter Pan syndrome, and are, instead, practicing age-defying magic!