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You're right in correcting me. There absolutely are two sides to ageism. Where older people can think that younger people are foolish, inexperienced, and unworthy of responsibility, older people are treated as if they were all senile and out of touch with not only the modern world, but reality. It's a shame that people feel this way, because there is a lot to learn from both groups. Both groups bring some wonderful things to the social table. Younger people have fresh prspectives and may not have been corrupted by the less savory aspects of life yet. Elderly people have tons of experience and knowledge to share. The elderly are the key to history. In many societies, the elderly are respected and heald up like gods. There is a reason behind this belief. The elderly are the heads of the family.
49 is far from elderly. That was probably just some 18 year old (if that) who's perceptions aren't connected with reality yet. Elderly in my mind is maybe in the late 60s. When and if I call someone elderly, it is because of how they feel though. My grandmother is 77 years old and still runs every morning. I'd never call her elderly. In my mind she will always be young. I know it sounds cliche, but "elderly" is a state of mind.
Just my 2 cents.
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