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Important Debate Ensues After Elderly DoorDash Driver Goes Viral On TikTok
Interview
Doorbell cameras have seen everything: ghosts, late-night dogs and even kind UPS couriers who went out of their way to say something nice. What they don’t see often is elderly delivery drivers, who should be home, enjoying their hard-earned retirement and tapioca.
When 21-year-old TikTok user anabellegracestephens ordered her food, the last thing she’d expect was a humble senior-aged citizen with a paper bag in hand. Unable to believe what she’d witnessed, Anabelle shared the recording with her followers — as of today, it has accumulated almost 10 million views with many concerned users debating if we should be okay with the economy which requires the elderly to work.
RELATED:
A video of a senior DoorDash driver went viral after he was recorded delivering food to a 21-year-old TikTok user
Image credits: anabellegracestephens
Image credits: anabellegracestephens
Moved by this sight, Anabelle shared her doorbell camera’s recording with her followers
Image credits: anabellegracestephens
Image credits: anabellegracestephens
Unbeknownst to the driver, the video of him was going viral
@anabellegracestephens Hype Kerry up 🥺 #doordash♬ Tell Me Why I’m Waiting – Timmies/Shiloh
Believe it or not, seeing a mature-aged person in a uniform or behind the counter past their retirement age is not so uncommon: in the last year alone, almost a million US citizens 75 and over were in the workforce. According to a recent study by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2026, more than 1 in 10 workers will be older than 75, which is not far off from the current situation in Japan, the country with the oldest workforce on the planet, where senior citizens account for 13% of the entire labor workforce.
Despite how grim this may sound, Nicole Maestas, a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), who examined how the aging population might affect economic growth, calms us down. It’s a trend that’s been on the rise long before, she told Bored Panda.
“Employment rates among older workers have been rising since the mid-1990s. It is possible we will see more older people in the workforce in the future. But it depends on the types of jobs that employers offer.”
Wanting to thank him for the service, Anabelle reached out to the company where the delivery driver worked
Image credits: anabellegracestephens
Persistence prevailed and Anabelle was able to find out who the elderly driver is
Image credits: anabellegracestephens
Learning about Kerry’s hardships, Anabelle started a ‘GoFundMe’ campaign
Image credits: gofundme.com
This is what she writes in the campaign’s description
Image credits: gofundme.com
Image credits: gofundme.com
Image credits: gofundme.com
Image credits: gofundme.com
Anabelle couldn’t believe so many people chipped in to support Kerry
Image credit: anabellegracestephens
Similarly to Japan, which proposed increasing the retirement age to 75 and older, as opposed to the current 65, arguing that citizens today are “five to 10 years younger in terms of their physical and intellectual fitness than past generations,” other countries might have to follow in order to adapt to the nature of ageing societies.
In fact, the number of elderly citizens over 65 who plan to work past the age of 70 has increased to 18%, as opposed to 8% in 2019, a survey has found. And there are no signs showing that this trend is likely to stop any time soon.
“My research has found that about half of older individuals who are not currently working would be willing to work if the right opportunity came along,” she told, adding that a lot of seniors surveyed valued flexible schedule, autonomy (“to set their own work pace”) and paid time off.
Many people agree that no one Kerry’s age should still be working
Maestas thinks a major factor that would help to increase the upsurge of senior-aged workers is less physically demanding jobs. “I was surprised by how many American workers (both older and younger) still have physically demanding jobs,” she said, pointing out that the number goes well above 50% for those aged 50-71.
For those who believe having more elderly workers will slow the economy down — there’s good and bad news. The good news is that old age has little to do with overall performance. Yes, Maestas’ research suggests that workforces tend to become less productive as the population ages, but “it doesn’t necessarily follow that older workers are less productive than younger workers,” she reassures.
The bad news? The overall labor force growth is directly linked to ageing population. “As the population grows older (because we have relatively more retirees, relatively fewer workers), this leads to slowing growth of GDP (or economic growth).” Although, the exact reason why older workforces are less productive isn’t well understood yet.
Thus, she believes more and more experts are looking closely at this issue “as it is becoming apparent just how important it is for our economy.”
Although some supported old timers’ decision to stay active
Asked for a comment about their age policies, a DoorDash spokeswoman has said that the independent contract work model the company offers is what attracts most of their workers — something that goes along Maestas’ lines. “DoorDash is proud to provide opportunities for so many people to earn income on their own schedule and connect with their communities,” the DoorDash spokeswoman told Bored Panda.
According to the company’s annual survey, 78% of their total drivers are attracted to the idea that they can make their own schedule or put in as many hours as they want. “This means that they decide when, where, and how long they want to deliver,” the statement read.
Hopefully, most senior-aged ‘Dashers’ do it for the thrill of being an active member of society and not out of necessity, like Kerry, who, according to the most recent GoFundMe data ($102k raised), should soon be off to enjoy his hard-earned, belated retirement.
What do you think ?
Dana Dara 3 years ago
My dad is 74 and still works as a GC 60 hours a week. He firmly believes that as soon as he stops working, he’ll die. He wouldn’t know what to do with himself. He’s lived a very full life, travels and has many hobbies. There’s nothing wrong with working if you enjoy it and it supports the lifestyle you want.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
My FIL could afford to retire at 65. He quit at 80. It's not always the money. He just wanted to not stop.
Load More Replies...
Oopsydaisy 3 years ago (edited)
Do these selfish, narcissistic people even think before they go plastering someone else's life all over social media just so they can look good? One day someone will do it to someone in a witness protection programme or someone hiding from an abuser. This woman deserves her a**e kicked.
Liane Jones 3 years ago
She asked his permission. She says that he told her more but only posted what he wanted posted. And that 38gs or whatever it's up to now don't hurt either
Load More Replies...
Betsy Novack 3 years ago
For someone getting up there in years, I find the biggest problem to be how we are seen as not having much to offer. We did not stop learning or living and are quite capable of teaching a few things go to the patronizing little smart assed folks that think we're cute, but a bother. Not everyone over 50 starts to lose their brain cells. But it's an added perk when aging allows one to use t
Betsy Novack 3 years ago
To use that assumption of senility to our advantage.
Load More Replies...
Elliott Nathanson 3 years ago
old guy delivers food. big f****n deal. I worked with delivery drivers just as old at Pizza Hut 25 years ago, it's not some cute trend, most people need jobs, delivering food usually requires no heavy lifting, etc. This article is pointless and stupid
Vivian Ashe 3 years ago
Not all older people work because they're poor. My mother retired from teaching school, and in the years since she's taken a series of part-time, low-wage jobs: tour guide, retail store cashier, etc. She does it mainly because it keeps her physically active and social. And although she doesn't technically need the money, I think it's mentally hard for a lot of retired people to feel comfortable spending when they know they have a finite amount of money to live on for the rest of their lives. This way, she can use her wages to treat herself to lunches, manicures, movies, etc., without worrying she's being foolish with her savings.
Real Princess 3 years ago
What an amazing human to make the time to better this man’s tumultuous life. I hope the campaign raises more than the goal so he can simply relax and not worry.
Earl Grey 3 years ago
It was the pre-boomer generation who could work their way up in a steady job with the same company or factory for 30-40 years, while the wife stayed home and took care of the kids, then retire with a gold watch and a decent pension. Then tour the country in an RV, in search of that next 10¢ cup of coffee. Those days were over last century. A “comfortable retirement” is no longer very common.
phil blanque 3 years ago
I wonder if younger people do not understand the work ethic of older people. I am not criticizing, just observing. Everything is about context. A 70-year old person grew up in a household with parents who went through the Great Depression, followed by World War II. These were people who took NOTHING for granted, who saved everything, and worked whenever they could. I am 73 years old and have been working since I was 10. Work is beautiful, and meaningful.
Elliot Fowler 3 years ago
It clearly says in the paragraph in which he explains a little about himself that he is working to make ends meet. It truly is unfortunate when a person isn't even given the opportunity to retire and just has to keep working to live.
Dana Dara 3 years ago
My dad is 74 and still works as a GC 60 hours a week. He firmly believes that as soon as he stops working, he’ll die. He wouldn’t know what to do with himself. He’s lived a very full life, travels and has many hobbies. There’s nothing wrong with working if you enjoy it and it supports the lifestyle you want.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
My FIL could afford to retire at 65. He quit at 80. It's not always the money. He just wanted to not stop.
Load More Replies... Oopsydaisy 3 years ago (edited)
Do these selfish, narcissistic people even think before they go plastering someone else's life all over social media just so they can look good? One day someone will do it to someone in a witness protection programme or someone hiding from an abuser. This woman deserves her a**e kicked.
Liane Jones 3 years ago
She asked his permission. She says that he told her more but only posted what he wanted posted. And that 38gs or whatever it's up to now don't hurt either
Load More Replies... Betsy Novack 3 years ago
For someone getting up there in years, I find the biggest problem to be how we are seen as not having much to offer. We did not stop learning or living and are quite capable of teaching a few things go to the patronizing little smart assed folks that think we're cute, but a bother. Not everyone over 50 starts to lose their brain cells. But it's an added perk when aging allows one to use t
Betsy Novack 3 years ago
To use that assumption of senility to our advantage.
Load More Replies... Elliott Nathanson 3 years ago
old guy delivers food. big f****n deal. I worked with delivery drivers just as old at Pizza Hut 25 years ago, it's not some cute trend, most people need jobs, delivering food usually requires no heavy lifting, etc. This article is pointless and stupid
Vivian Ashe 3 years ago
Not all older people work because they're poor. My mother retired from teaching school, and in the years since she's taken a series of part-time, low-wage jobs: tour guide, retail store cashier, etc. She does it mainly because it keeps her physically active and social. And although she doesn't technically need the money, I think it's mentally hard for a lot of retired people to feel comfortable spending when they know they have a finite amount of money to live on for the rest of their lives. This way, she can use her wages to treat herself to lunches, manicures, movies, etc., without worrying she's being foolish with her savings.
Real Princess 3 years ago
What an amazing human to make the time to better this man’s tumultuous life. I hope the campaign raises more than the goal so he can simply relax and not worry.
Earl Grey 3 years ago
It was the pre-boomer generation who could work their way up in a steady job with the same company or factory for 30-40 years, while the wife stayed home and took care of the kids, then retire with a gold watch and a decent pension. Then tour the country in an RV, in search of that next 10¢ cup of coffee. Those days were over last century. A “comfortable retirement” is no longer very common.
phil blanque 3 years ago
I wonder if younger people do not understand the work ethic of older people. I am not criticizing, just observing. Everything is about context. A 70-year old person grew up in a household with parents who went through the Great Depression, followed by World War II. These were people who took NOTHING for granted, who saved everything, and worked whenever they could. I am 73 years old and have been working since I was 10. Work is beautiful, and meaningful.
Elliot Fowler 3 years ago
It clearly says in the paragraph in which he explains a little about himself that he is working to make ends meet. It truly is unfortunate when a person isn't even given the opportunity to retire and just has to keep working to live.
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