What’s so special about 50+?

Oscar, the concessions site for the over 50s has launched a new award to coincide with UK Older Person’s Day and Grandparents’ Day which both take place this month. They’ve called them the Golden Owls and their purpose is to “find the cream of the over-50s”.  All well and good -  we strongly support the idea of promoting the position of older people and would always encourage the recognition of much needed role models for what being “over 50” is like these days.

But sadly, a closer look at the categories reveals that this is hardly likely to be the outcome. If you want to vote you can choose from:
•  THE EUREKA – most inspirational person of our time
•  THE ENDURANCE – longest-lasting celebrity
•  THE GIVER – Most worthy charity
•  THE INNOVATOR – Most recognised achievement in industry
•  THE OLYMPIAN – Outstanding contribution to sport
•  THE OWL – Lifetime Achievement Award

All of these are likely to produce the same old names representing the same old activities. What’s happened to the really meaningful stuff like:

The Feminist – the woman who has overcome ageist stereotypes

The Supporter – the individual from whatever sphere who has most helped the cause of older people

The Communicator – the writer, artist or commentator who has most clearly contributed to greater understanding about ageing in the twenty-first century

The Worker – the employee who sets the best example of what later life working can be

We’re sure there are plenty more categories that would be really worthwhile including those in areas such as caring, wisdom, and original thought. Why not let us know what you’d like to see?

In the meantime, as nominations close on October 15^th, you ‘ll have to be quick with the Golden Owls if you want to cast your vote.

Click here  to see more

People don’t grow older like they used to

Well done to Standard Life for their current press campaign featuring – Hallelujah! – older people who don’t look truly elderly, simple or downtrodden. Badged with the slogan “people don’t grow older like they used to” the campaign uses black and white photos of both celebs (e.g. Mariella Frostrup, Marco Pierre White) and ordinary people (or perhaps I just don’t recognize them!) to reinforce what “older” looks like these days. And frankly, judging by these pictures, it ain’t bad.

Let’s have more of this positive approach from marketers – and soon.

Bring on Boomer Barbie

Shock, horror! Barbie, Mattel’s leading toy-girl is going to be 50 this year!

But, despite various role incarnations and subtle physical changes, there’s no doubt that the good ol’ gal is still being modelled on a teen-physique representing the ideal plasticised non-ageing female body. Isn’t it time she was given a break and allowed to slow down and soften a little?

Not quite robe and slippers Barbie but an elegant, softened, less brittle Barbie.

Okay, she might lose her pre-teen following but in light of the alleged spending power of the Boomer generation an older Barbie might be the brightest anti-recessional marketing ploy imaginable. Just think: “Does my bum look big in this Barbie”, “Hair dye Barbie”, “Flat shoes Barbie”… the possibilities are endless.

Now what about Ken…?

Celebrating wisdom

One of the most uplifting experiences of the week was revelling in the sensory feast of words and images melded in award-winning photographer and film maker Andrew Zuckerman’s book, Wisdom. A record of the thoughts and ideas of over 50 of the world’s most prominent and celebrated over 65 year olds, it is illustrated with superb, honest and revealing images of these familiar and well-loved icons as they are today.

Inspired by Desmond Tutu’s words: “One of the greatest gifts we can give to another generation is our experience, our wisdom” this is a book to dip in to, ponder on, be inspired by. Buy one as a Christmas gift, or better still treat yourself and leave it on the coffee table for family and friends of all generations to read (available on Amazon – I’ve checked).

Scant regard is given these days to the role of wisdom and its value to society. We all need reminding of what it means and certainly we could do with more of it – let this set the standard.

See more at http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1848104,00.html or http://www.wisdombook.org/

It’s never too late – to be a stripper

Following on from the stir caused by Dame Helen Mirren looking so stunning at the age of 63 in her red bikini we now have (totally unconnected) Queenie, the Senile Stripper, appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival just as she approaches her 75th birthday. Through most of August, Lynn Ruth Miller a writer, comedian and cabaret performer from San Francisco will be tastefully titillating her audience nightly as she removes her garments to music (not quite all her garments I might add). She describes her bra size as “32 long”.

Times are changing and you know what they say, “if you’ve got it, flaunt it”. We look forward to seeing many more examples of this new found confidence, as being in your prime constantly becomes redefined. Thankyou but not you, Mr Stringfellow – next!

You’re so vein

On July 26th Mick Jagger reached 65 years of age and truly became an Old Age Pensioner. Perhaps not typical of in my primers, nevertheless he ticks all the boxes as far as attitude, interests and long-term financial planning are concerned. He has also been, for all baby boomers, someone we have grown up with and someone who defines the whole approach of our generation.

On a personal level, I first saw The Rolling Stones in 1962, at the Marquee Club, Wardour Street, Soho, some time before the release of their first single “Come On”. Very quickly, certainly in my circle, you either became a Beatles fan or a Stones fan. I am now able to continue to listen to the Stones in almost any environment as I come to terms with my new iPod and its amazing technology. And the music itself sounds as vibrant as ever – certainly for me.

Hip replacements now prevent us from watching John Cleese and his “silly walks” but Mick Jagger still seems as lithe as ever. It will be a sad day when Mick sings “This could be the last time” and means it!

Madge the motivator

Like her or loathe her (or perhaps you’re completely indifferent) Madonna is an incredible phenomenon – someone who made herself a mega-star and has managed to stay at the top of an incredibly competitive game for over 30 years by constantly reinventing herself. Of course we all tend to think “well it’s easy if you have that much money, if I was in that position I could be fit and glamorous too”. However, as a recent feature in the Glasgow Herald reported, no matter how rich and famous you are, staying ahead of the game still comes down to one thing: sheer hard work.

Madonna, who turns 50 in August, is due to celebrate her birthday by embarking on an age-defying 50-date world tour, a pace that would terrify most of us. Asked about her regime of working out for at least three hours six days a week, practising yoga and following a macrobiotic diet, she commented: “There are no shortcuts to being Madonna, it’s all about hard work. If you want to know how I look like I do, it’s diet and exercise and constantly being careful.” The actress Michelle Pfeiffer also maintained that eating well and “going at it hardcore in my gym” was the way to stave off ageing.

So the message is, there are no excuses. Becoming overweight, unfit and underwhelming in appearance isn’t a natural and inevitable side effect of ageing. We can all look and feel better if we are prepared to put in the hard work and effort and the good news is that if we don’t need to be fit enough to undertake a world mega-tour in order to preserve our appearance and health. As we’ve suggested in the past, if you need to shape up, a good first step is to find a role model – either Madge or someone who you think looks really great for their age (and this applies to males too!) – stick a picture of them on your fridge and wardrobe doors as a reminder of what you’re aspiring to, then read our primers Health and Fitness and Here’s looking at you and take it from there.

Humphrey Lyttelton dies at 86, still young at heart

We’re all very, very sad to see the recent passing of Humphrey Lyttelton, a person with so many talents and endearing qualities. What is so amazing is that many of his finest years, and our fondest memories, occurred only once he had passed 50, 36 years ago. Although already a jazz musician of considerable repute, most of his more than 40 years of hosting Radio 2’s The Best of Jazz took place after many of us would be considering slowing down and retiring. And the crowning glory, 36 years of chairing “I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue” since its inception in 1972, was all played out once he was already “in his prime”. What greater advertisement could we come up with for the ideals we are trying to promote than the real, magnificent “Humph”?