The Elderly: The Wise Or The Handicapped
Should we assume the being elderly is accompanied by wisdom or should we assume that it is more of a handicap? Should older people have lots of common sense, or should they be treated like kids who just don’t know any better? I know the true answer really depends on the person you’re dealing with, but it seems as though in general society should expect one or the other.
Case in point. I was waiting in line at a store the other day. There was this old lady in front of me (in front of the person in front of me anyways) who was at the pickup window. Once her transaction had completed, she just kind of turned sideways and then proceeded to slowly open up her purse and try to find a spot to shove her checkbook into. She was very slow. It probably took her 20 - 30 seconds to finish and then finally move out of the way. Had she just taken two steps forward, she would have been completely out of the way. As was though, she blocked 75% of the window.
To me, it just seems like common sense to move out of the way. One might reasonably assume that sometime in the first 65 years of life a person should pick up on that. As such, it seems reasonable to tell this person to get the hell out of the way since they should know better.
On the other hand, some older people start to lose it a bit. She may not have even realized that she was in the way. One might consider her mental state to be somewhat equivalent of that of a child in regards to this situation. She just doesn’t know any better. It’s best to just give her some time without saying anything and she’ll be on her way.
Mind you, when I mention telling her to get the hell out of the way, I don’t really mean saying those exact words or just shoving her out the way or anything like that. I’m really thinking of just a polite “excuse me” or something of that nature. Naturally, you could argue that saying something or not saying something could apply to either case depending on what kind of person you are, so maybe it’s better to say how would you think about it?
Would you expect the person to have some common sense or would you think of them as not knowing any better? Should people in general think one way or the other?
(Now watch as I get one or even no comments since I’ve actually asked for feedback… 
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elderly expectations old society Thinking Too Much Popularity: 7% [?]
Well, at least I’ll give you that one comment… I’d say your best bet is to say “pardon me” when it’s your turn, and if they don’t get the hint, be patient with them and wait for them. You can’t do much else than that because even the image of being rude to the elderly doesn’t go over well with many people. Granted, some of them really just don’t give a crap about anyone else and they think being old means they don’t have to be polite anymore. But, like you said, most probably don’t realize they’re in the way (depth perception goes out the window with age) and need a bit more time to gather their things.
I used to work with old people (nursing home) and I would say, most of them… the ones that can atually go out and buy stuff, know better. I agree with what Carrie said, they just don’t give a crap. Many old people are stubborn and have a chip on their shoulder (sound like my kids!). There are many that simply don’t know better. Let me tell you, some old people just get mean with age. I’ve been kicked, punched, bitten and had my hair pulled for nothing more than walking into their room and making sure they are okay and have everything they need. But like I said, some old lady that is able to walk and talk and think for herself enough to be able to go out and buy stuff, she probably just figures you all deserve to wait on her for a bit.
I think it really depends on the individual person. A moderate to severe level of physical decline is going to happen no matter what as people age so sensation and perception just won’t be the same no matter how hard the person tries to keep up.
I always have older people getting in front of my cart at Meijer’s (Meijer Thrifty Acres to them), blocking the aisles, etc. That’s another benefit of using the U-scan lanes since I’ve never seen anyone over about 60 or so using one.
As far as cognitive processing though some people never seem to lose any ability. My grandpa died a couple weeks ago at 87 and was still writing books and helping to manage the regional Lutheran church organization up until the end. He didn’t seem to lose any ability, or the amount of decline was so slight he could make up for it with effort.
So I’d say there is some moderate link between getting older and becoming unable to function in society, so you can generalize that the older the person the less able to function, but the individual factors explain a lot more of the difference in ability than the age alone.
A firm excuse me.
For anyone…not just elderly.
As working with the elderly is very soon going to be my profession I can say they’re definitely as variable as anyone else. The ones in the nursing homes tend to be less functional physically and cognitively as a rule than those still out in the community. I wouldn’t hesitate to polietely say “excuse me” though.