This case study I did on ageism was based on two people, a man and a woman. I thought it would be interesting to get two opinions about ageism. I am pleased to say that I enjoyed myself during this case study. These people are real; my neighbors, they have been married for a little over forty years, were kind enough to help me with this assignment. Let us call them Joe and Jane. I asked Joe and Jane questions focusing on themselves and the views of society. I asked them the following questions. 1. How old are you? Joe: 67 Jane: She went back and forth between 66 and 65. Her husband assisted her and she replied with 65. 2. Within the last twenty years have people treated you differently? Joe: “I noticed the change sooner than twenty. People started calling me mister at forty. At a way to make someone feel old.” Jane: “Yes. I notice among older women like me, that we become more welcoming and loving,” she then imitated giving hugs, “I noticed that more strangers offer to help.” 3. Within the last twenty years have you experienced medical problems due to aging? If so what? Joe: “Loss of hair, grey in hair, I was diagnosed with arthritis at 60 or 62 ish, eye sight gets weaker, and when I was younger I used to be more flexible.” ……. Jane: “Age spots, white spots on the head, eyes are weaker, loss of hearing, bone structure grows weaker, aches and pains, decrease in energy, grey hair, and memory loss.” 4. How old do you see yourself? Joe: “older” Jane: 50 5. How old do you feel? Joe: mid-30’s Jane: “my age” 6. How old do you think society sees you? Joe: At first he danced around the question. He gave me a statement that didn’t quite answer the question, “I hate the stereotype that politicians think that old white men are republic. Because, guess what, I am a democrat.” I found that statement interesting. I then further explained my question and he settled on, “I imagine they see me older. I haven’t really put much thought into what other people thought.” Jane: “My age” 7. What time do you usually go to sleep? Has it always been that way? Why? Joe: “Between 2 or 3 am.” I asked if it has always been that way. “No” Why? “All the best shows are on at that time.” He said jokingly. He replied then seriously, “I am just not tired. I don’t wake up until 10 am.” Jane: “9 sometimes 8” Has it always been that way, “No. When I was younger I used to wait up for him,” she pointed to Joe, “Getting older I realized I have to take time out for myself.” ……. 8. How do you keep yourself busy? Joe: “Usually house work.” I then asked him what he does during winter, because it’s not like he can mow the lawn when it is snowing. He said, “I try and keep warm. It’s more relaxing for me during winter.” Jane: Buying and selling antiques, cleaning her house, being a hostess for her friends and family, and feeding her dog, fish in her pond, birds, and squirrels found in her back yard. 9. Have you noticed that you can’t do the same things you once were able to when you were younger? If so what? Joe: Golf, sports, physically not as active. Jane: “Riding my bike. I used to ride that thing for 5 miles at a time. And exercising besides walking.” 10. Any thoughts or comments you would like to say before finishing up? Joe: “Jane and I talk about this all the time. We see ourselves getting older, but we feel younger. I also see that we have more time on our hands.” Jane: “Something that ticks me off is that this country doesn’t take care of the elderly like they should. They shouldn’t pay for medical or their pills because some people can’t afford it. Politicians should care more about the elderly because they have to think, they are going to be at that age someday.”
I have learned a lot about my neighbors. We have been neighbors for almost seven years and I have never saw them as weak, old, or frail. Over the years my family has adopted them as another pair of grandparents and they have done the same for us. …….