# Opinion: Society Should Defend, Respect Aging Adults  
**Published:** 2026-06-27T10:00:24.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/06/27/opinion-in-defense-of-those-people/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/opinion-society-should-defend-respect-aging-adults

The use of dismissive language like "those people" when discussing older adults reflects a broader cultural problem: society's failure to respect the aging process and the contributions of seniors, according to a [recent opinion piece in the Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/06/27/opinion-in-defense-of-those-people/).

The commentary notes that Western culture increasingly devalues aging, pointing to the cosmetics industry as a prime example of this bias. [The global anti-aging products market was valued at $55.7 billion in 2025](https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/anti-aging-products-market), reflecting massive consumer investment in products designed to hide or reverse the natural aging process.

The article criticizes both overt and subtle forms of age discrimination. Examples include the "OK Boomer" phrase that dismisses older perspectives, and the tendency to embarrass seniors for repeating stories—a behavior rarely directed at younger people. The author argues these patterns reflect societal discomfort with aging rather than genuine concern for aging adults' behaviors or cognitive health.

Financial exploitation represents a particularly serious threat to older Nebraskans. [In 2021, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB297, the Protection of Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act, to address this issue](https://states.aarp.org/nebraska/new-state-law-will-help-combat-elder-financial-exploitation). Despite such protections, [one out of five older Americans experience financial exploitation, with the average victim losing $120,000](https://states.aarp.org/nebraska/new-state-law-will-help-combat-elder-financial-exploitation).

The commentary highlights promising work from younger professionals. Research by [the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Department of Gerontology, one of the Midwest's oldest and most respected gerontology programs](https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-public-affairs-and-community-service/gerontology/index.php), has produced graduates studying end-of-life planning and COVID's impact on senior isolation.

The author emphasizes that aging is not a personal failure but an inevitable life process deserving dignity and support. Planning for one's future self through healthy behaviors today—including physical, spiritual, cognitive, and social exercise—remains critical. Ultimately, the commentary argues society must recognize "those people" as human beings deserving respect and innovative solutions, acknowledging that most will eventually become "one of those people" themselves.

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/06/27/opinion-in-defense-of-those-people/)
- [Grand View Research: Anti-aging products market analysis](https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/anti-aging-products-market)
- [AARP: Nebraska's LB297 Protection of Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act](https://states.aarp.org/nebraska/new-state-law-will-help-combat-elder-financial-exploitation)
- [University of Nebraska Omaha Department of Gerontology](https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-public-affairs-and-community-service/gerontology/index.php)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/06/27/opinion-in-defense-of-those-people/.