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There's a subreddit called r/AdorableOldPeople and as you might guess, it shares screenshots and pictures of old people making the world a better place.

First of all, we are not huge fans of the name. As philosophy teacher Randall Horton pointed out in Huff Post, even people in their 50s like to think they are in their "young 50s" or that they look good "for their age." As they get older, they become "a little more patient, more accepting, less doctrinaire, and, yes, sadder and wiser." However, they do not think they become more adorable, precious, charming, or sweet. Attributing these words to older folks can send the wrong message. They might think we're infantilizing them. So we won't.

But the content of the subreddit is awesome. Whether we're talking about teens or seniors, people can be jerks, so it's always appropriate to celebrate the ones that aren't. Continue scrolling and you will find a hand-picked collection of the most popular posts on the sub.

#2

She Said "I Haven't Been Carried Like This Since My Wedding Day"

She Said "I Haven't Been Carried Like This Since My Wedding Day"

alfaguara27 Report

Some call the issue Horton highlights as "elderspeak," which, according to her, is characterized by treating older people more as children than as fully functioning adults. In fact, she feels this demeaning language is often inappropriate for children as well. Horton said elderspeak is a problem in health care settings too.

"For some reason, when people talk to older patients, they tend to slow their speech, raise the volume, and sing their sentences," she explained. "In addition, every statement seems to become a question and second person pronouns are replaced with first-person plural pronouns ( e.g., 'you' becomes 'we') ... At a time when nursing home workers are sharing explicit photos and videos of older adults on social media, complaining about 'sweetheart' seems almost quaint, but both the diminutive terms and the more extreme demeaning media rob patients of their dignity and personhood."

#3

Grandfather With Vitiligo Crochets Dolls To Make Children With This Condition Feel Better

Grandfather With Vitiligo Crochets Dolls To Make Children With This Condition Feel Better

biabia___x0 Report

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#4

Relationship Goals

Relationship Goals

KAreports Report

It's clear that the subreddit and its members mean well, but Horton said people seem to think they are honoring seniors by treating them as mascots. "Many videos on social media feature adults who are 'adorable' or 'precious' dancing, singing, or doing other activities they have no doubt done for their entire lives. The videos are presented with the exact same attitude behind videos of kittens, puppies, and babies."

"Videos of the elderly seem to take the same attitude: It is amazing that older people might still do the things they love. If they make the attempt to engage in the activities that make them happy, they are 'so cute.'"

#6

Cosplay Isn't Just For The Young

Cosplay Isn't Just For The Young

SkelletonQueenX Report

Treating old adults like this can lead to serious consequences. For instance, when health care providers infantilize old adults, they can overlook the sexual health of these patients. As this article states, “prevailing misconceptions among health care providers regarding a lack of sexual activity in older adults contribute to making elders an extremely vulnerable population."

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The result of this ignorance is that STD rates among the elderly are increasing at an alarming rate; even though about 80 percent of adults aged 50 to 90 years old are sexually active, they are infrequently screened for STDs.

But Horton is more concerned about what she calls "the basic harm."

"As we age we lose the respect of our fellow beings and we lose our status as persons," she said.

#7

Obama Told This 90-Year Old Veteran He Didn't Have To Stand. He Said, "No Sir, You're The President"

Obama Told This 90-Year Old Veteran He Didn't Have To Stand. He Said, "No Sir, You're The President"

The_Real_Potatos Report

#8

My Professor Is 74 And He Isn’t Confident Using Zoom So He’s Prerecorded The Rest Of Our Classes. Today, I Watched The First One. He Has A Pinocchio Doll In The Front Row Because He Isn’t Comfortable Teaching To An Empty Room. I’m Social Distancing For This Man And This Man Only

My Professor Is 74 And He Isn’t Confident Using Zoom So He’s Prerecorded The Rest Of Our Classes. Today, I Watched The First One. He Has A Pinocchio Doll In The Front Row Because He Isn’t Comfortable Teaching To An Empty Room. I’m Social Distancing For This Man And This Man Only

Ph0on- Report

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According to her, old people are still rational and intelligent. "I realize we all suffer some cognitive decline as we age and some are affected by diseases that accelerate or accentuate that decline, but young people also suffer brain injury, disease, and other limitations on cognitive ability. Age is not a sufficient reason to believe someone is stupid."

Her text really makes sense. And we are not trying to belittle anyone. "Adorable old people” is obviously better than mean-spirited, dismissive remarks about aging, but it may not be the best description of these pictures. But as mentioned in the intro, we look at these individuals as simply good human beings.

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#10

This Is My 96 Year Old Grandma, Willie. She Survived The Great Depression, Being Hit By A Fire Truck And Being In A Coma, And Losing Her Husband At A Young Age. Now She Drinks Liquor And Smokes Cigars, Still Lives Alone And Hits On Younger Men. I Love Her With Everything I’ve Got

This Is My 96 Year Old Grandma, Willie. She Survived The Great Depression, Being Hit By A Fire Truck And Being In A Coma, And Losing Her Husband At A Young Age. Now She Drinks Liquor And Smokes Cigars, Still Lives Alone And Hits On Younger Men. I Love Her With Everything I’ve Got

motherroadsdaughter Report

#11

My Parents Sent Me This From Their Retirement Community Today

My Parents Sent Me This From Their Retirement Community Today

Ace497 Report

#12

This Couple Re-Creating Their Marriage Photo 70 Years Later

This Couple Re-Creating Their Marriage Photo 70 Years Later

ReagansRougeBanana Report

#13

I Lost My Dad At Walmart And Ended Up Finding Him In The Garden Section Watering Plants

I Lost My Dad At Walmart And Ended Up Finding Him In The Garden Section Watering Plants

bambiartistic Report

#14

The Fact That He Still Carries The Pic Around Is So Precious

The Fact That He Still Carries The Pic Around Is So Precious

logangornik Report

#15

My Grandpa’s 88th Birthday Was A Few Weeks Ago. My Sister Got Him A Coloring Book And Crayons. He Says He’s Never Colored Before, But He Seems To Enjoy It. He Shows All His Visitors The Pages He’s Finished. He’s Colorblind, So Some Of The Puppies Are Pink, But He’s So Happy. He Melts My Heart

My Grandpa’s 88th Birthday Was A Few Weeks Ago. My Sister Got Him A Coloring Book And Crayons. He Says He’s Never Colored Before, But He Seems To Enjoy It. He Shows All His Visitors The Pages He’s Finished. He’s Colorblind, So Some Of The Puppies Are Pink, But He’s So Happy. He Melts My Heart

stephiebob Report

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Vanessa Clarke
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw can someone please buy him a pair of those specs that help colourblind people see colours please!!

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#16

My Neighbor Almost Had My Mom Worried For His Safety

My Neighbor Almost Had My Mom Worried For His Safety

DreamCyclone84 Report

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#19

I Live Abroad. My Grandparents Called Me To Urgently Check The Security Web Cams Of My House Back Home. Turns Out They Called So I Could See Them Standing With A Heart And Waving At Me

I Live Abroad. My Grandparents Called Me To Urgently Check The Security Web Cams Of My House Back Home. Turns Out They Called So I Could See Them Standing With A Heart And Waving At Me

isitmeuarelookingfor Report

#20

Dad Went Out In The Snow To Feed The Birds, And Made A New Friend! It's Official, He's A Disney Princess Now

Dad Went Out In The Snow To Feed The Birds, And Made A New Friend! It's Official, He's A Disney Princess Now

ClearBrightLight Report

#21

An Old Man Taking Pictures Of His Wife Without Her Realising

An Old Man Taking Pictures Of His Wife Without Her Realising

AnyRandomRedditor Report

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The BEST reason for a smart phone with a good camera. Taking pictures of those you love.

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#22

A 76 Yr Old Retired Air Force Colonel Is No Match For His 4 Year Old Granddaughter

A 76 Yr Old Retired Air Force Colonel Is No Match For His 4 Year Old Granddaughter

Extra_blueberries Report

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't care how tough you are - if a toddler says you're a princess then you are a princess!

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#24

Grandpa Brings Dog To Furniture Store To Make Sure She Likes Chair Too

Grandpa Brings Dog To Furniture Store To Make Sure She Likes Chair Too

LadyAdiee Report

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#26

My Dad Thought He Was Taking A Picture Of My Kids And Accidentally Had It On Front Facing. It Fills Me With Joy That This Is What His Face Looks Like When He’s Watching My Kids. He’s A Great Dad

My Dad Thought He Was Taking A Picture Of My Kids And Accidentally Had It On Front Facing. It Fills Me With Joy That This Is What His Face Looks Like When He’s Watching My Kids. He’s A Great Dad

missbinz Report

#27

My 97-Year-Old Grandma Doesn’t Use Computers, But I Found A Meme Years Ago That I Thought She’d Like So I Sent It In The Mail. Turns Out She’s Kept It At Her Bedside Ever Since

My 97-Year-Old Grandma Doesn’t Use Computers, But I Found A Meme Years Ago That I Thought She’d Like So I Sent It In The Mail. Turns Out She’s Kept It At Her Bedside Ever Since

sto_sa Report

#28

They Dated In Their Teens, Married Different People, And Got Back Together 65 Years Later. My Grandma And Her Boyfriend

They Dated In Their Teens, Married Different People, And Got Back Together 65 Years Later. My Grandma And Her Boyfriend

Burkenstockss Report

#29

When You Can’t March In Protest, You Scoot In Protest

When You Can’t March In Protest, You Scoot In Protest

afierygal Report

#30

My Grandpa Mac, 92 Years Old, Just Got New Security Cameras Around His House. He Has My Cousin, Aaron, And I On The Online Login (He’s Not Too Computer Savvy) So We Can See What’s Going On. He Sends Us Random Messages Through The Cameras

My Grandpa Mac, 92 Years Old, Just Got New Security Cameras Around His House. He Has My Cousin, Aaron, And I On The Online Login (He’s Not Too Computer Savvy) So We Can See What’s Going On. He Sends Us Random Messages Through The Cameras

JustShimoon Report

#31

Aww Good Husband

Aww Good Husband

Adelu1219 Report

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BIG FOOT
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen this guy on tv! Me and my family were watching and we see him like every cub game on tv!

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#33

My Mom Died Of Covid June 8th. I Found This Her Writing On The Back Page Of This Blank Book I Gave Her Years Ago

My Mom Died Of Covid June 8th. I Found This Her Writing On The Back Page Of This Blank Book I Gave Her Years Ago

spudgrrl Report

#34

My Mom Is Almost In Her 60’s And Started Her Weight Loss Journey Around This Time Last Year! 85 Pounds Down!! It’s Never Too Late To Change Your Life!

My Mom Is Almost In Her 60’s And Started Her Weight Loss Journey Around This Time Last Year! 85 Pounds Down!! It’s Never Too Late To Change Your Life!

_bbennyy Report

#36

Did A Christmas Scavenger Hunt. This Is What My Grandpa Sent For 3 Wise Men

Did A Christmas Scavenger Hunt. This Is What My Grandpa Sent For 3 Wise Men

Origami_kittycorn Report

#37

My Grandad Being All Giggly When He Was Chatting About His Childhood And All The Mischief He Got Up To Behind His Mothers Back!!!

My Grandad Being All Giggly When He Was Chatting About His Childhood And All The Mischief He Got Up To Behind His Mothers Back!!!

UnpreparedSugar Report

#38

My Mom Got To Visit Snow White - Her Favorite Princess Since She Was A Little Girl. My Mom Retired Friday And This Was Her First Trip To Disney Ever

My Mom Got To Visit Snow White - Her Favorite Princess Since She Was A Little Girl. My Mom Retired Friday And This Was Her First Trip To Disney Ever

Paelidore Report

#39

Grandpa Humor Is My All-Time Favourite

Grandpa Humor Is My All-Time Favourite

__Niche__ Report

#40

Bob The Wise

Bob The Wise

FlyingPenguinzzz Report

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Michelle M
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sound advice. I'll insert myself as the someone. No one can love you better than yourself

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#42

Grandma With The Drip

Grandma With The Drip

djbewbz Report

#43

My Grandmas 94 Last Week. She Has Dementia And Is Bed Ridden But She Still Has Her Good Spirits. She Loves This Teddy Bear My Cousin Gave Her. So If Me And My Mom Are Feeding Her And She Starts To Fiddle, She Holds Onto It. Love Her So Much

My Grandmas 94 Last Week. She Has Dementia And Is Bed Ridden But She Still Has Her Good Spirits. She Loves This Teddy Bear My Cousin Gave Her. So If Me And My Mom Are Feeding Her And She Starts To Fiddle, She Holds Onto It. Love Her So Much

sarahcantfunction Report

#45

My 92 Year Old Grandpa Holding My Parrot For The First Time. He Insisted That I Take A Photo Of Him So He Could Print It Out To Show His Friends

My 92 Year Old Grandpa Holding My Parrot For The First Time. He Insisted That I Take A Photo Of Him So He Could Print It Out To Show His Friends

welcome-to-trench Report

#46

My Nana Is Bored So She’s Keeping Me Fresh During The Quarantine

My Nana Is Bored So She’s Keeping Me Fresh During The Quarantine

Lewis390 Report

#47

Sent A Picture Of A Final Fantasy 7 Character To My Mum Thinking She Looked Like Her, She Recreated The Look And Pretty Much Nailed It

Sent A Picture Of A Final Fantasy 7 Character To My Mum Thinking She Looked Like Her, She Recreated The Look And Pretty Much Nailed It

Kahootlu Report

#48

This Is My 85 Year Old Physics Teacher, Him And His Wife Just Had A Light Saber Fight

This Is My 85 Year Old Physics Teacher, Him And His Wife Just Had A Light Saber Fight

KP20024 Report

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#49

My Grandpa Has Alzheimer’s And Can’t Always Remember His Grandkids Names, So We Custom Made A Shirt That Has All Our Names And It’s His New Favourite Shirt

My Grandpa Has Alzheimer’s And Can’t Always Remember His Grandkids Names, So We Custom Made A Shirt That Has All Our Names And It’s His New Favourite Shirt

MolicaKurth5665 Report

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#52

I Had No Idea That My Dad Had These Digital Skills. This Came As One Of 11 Emails Containing One Photo In Each Email, All Of My Parents’ Weekend. This One Was Captioned “ Look What We Found In The Kitty Cave!”

I Had No Idea That My Dad Had These Digital Skills. This Came As One Of 11 Emails Containing One Photo In Each Email, All Of My Parents’ Weekend. This One Was Captioned “ Look What We Found In The Kitty Cave!”

encantalasmontaas Report

#53

My Mum (In Yellow) Brings Her Fanny Pack Every Time She Is Out And About. She Fills It With Dog Kibble, Treats, Poop Baggies, And A Leash In Hopes She’ll Find Any Of The Missing Dogs Posted On Her Neighbourhood Facebook Group

My Mum (In Yellow) Brings Her Fanny Pack Every Time She Is Out And About. She Fills It With Dog Kibble, Treats, Poop Baggies, And A Leash In Hopes She’ll Find Any Of The Missing Dogs Posted On Her Neighbourhood Facebook Group

Hvnhaaa Report

#54

My Grandparents Just Celebrated Their 50th Wedding Anniversary. This Was Their Last Dance Of The Celebration

My Grandparents Just Celebrated Their 50th Wedding Anniversary. This Was Their Last Dance Of The Celebration

psychedartist Report

#56

Visiting My Grandpa Who Was Just Diagnosed With Cancer Beyond Treatment. He’s Being Put On Hospice Soon, But Here Is Is All Dressed Up For Family

Visiting My Grandpa Who Was Just Diagnosed With Cancer Beyond Treatment. He’s Being Put On Hospice Soon, But Here Is Is All Dressed Up For Family

superpilotbrooks Report

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#57

The Best. Name. Ever

The Best. Name. Ever

dumb_giraffe Report

#58

My Ninety Seven Year Old Granny Trying On My Big Shoes

My Ninety Seven Year Old Granny Trying On My Big Shoes

billy-eyelash567 Report

#59

One Of The Last Pics I Have Of My Dad With My Daughter...how He Loved Her!!!

One Of The Last Pics I Have Of My Dad With My Daughter...how He Loved Her!!!

maggiemew Report

#60

My 96 Year Old Nan. She Always Made Sure That Her Caregivers Put On Her Foundation, Rouge, And Her Signature Red Lipstick. Never Underestimate The Power Of A Bold Red Lip

My 96 Year Old Nan. She Always Made Sure That Her Caregivers Put On Her Foundation, Rouge, And Her Signature Red Lipstick. Never Underestimate The Power Of A Bold Red Lip

Nurse_Ratched87 Report

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AnnaBanana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My nanna had a thing about never being seen without her dentures (or her make up and hair done). When she had to have surgery, she made the nurses promise they would put her teeth back in before she woke up!

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#61

60 Years Later My Great Grandmother Tried On Her Wedding Dress And It Still Fits Perfectly

60 Years Later My Great Grandmother Tried On Her Wedding Dress And It Still Fits Perfectly

alfaguara27 Report

#62

I Was Playing With The Ar In Pokémon Go And My Grandpa Saw It And Asked What I Was Doing. I Told Him I Was Playing Pokémon He Told Me “I Want To Poke The Mon!”

I Was Playing With The Ar In Pokémon Go And My Grandpa Saw It And Asked What I Was Doing. I Told Him I Was Playing Pokémon He Told Me “I Want To Poke The Mon!”

SunnyFreakingD3 Report

#63

She Crocheted All These Hats For A Local Shelter! It's Absolutely Incredible!

She Crocheted All These Hats For A Local Shelter! It's Absolutely Incredible!

kitaisaradish Report

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#64

My Great Grandmother Wanted To Go To My Aunt’s Wedding Overseas But Broke Her Leg Just Before. She Told Them She Would Be There In Some Way. Oddly Wholesome Cardboard Cutout

My Great Grandmother Wanted To Go To My Aunt’s Wedding Overseas But Broke Her Leg Just Before. She Told Them She Would Be There In Some Way. Oddly Wholesome Cardboard Cutout

CluelessEverything Report

#65

Grandma’s Out Here Serving Looks!

Grandma’s Out Here Serving Looks!

Cherrymus Report

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Watching
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my goodness I hope I have a grandchild like you to pump me up like that someday.

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#66

Adorable Grandpa

Adorable Grandpa

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#67

My Grandpa Uprooted His Life In Rural Vietnam To Build A Happy Life In America For My Family Long Before I Was Born. He's Now 90 And Able To Enjoy The Fruits Of His Labor

My Grandpa Uprooted His Life In Rural Vietnam To Build A Happy Life In America For My Family Long Before I Was Born. He's Now 90 And Able To Enjoy The Fruits Of His Labor

Wigglewurps Report

#68

My Grandparents Got A New Car And Was Excited To Tell Me, I Travel A Lot With Them So They Were Showing Me The Back Seat

My Grandparents Got A New Car And Was Excited To Tell Me, I Travel A Lot With Them So They Were Showing Me The Back Seat

no_numbers554 Report

#69

My Grandma Just Turned 95. Here She Is Downing A Glass Of Champagne On A Brunch Cruise!

My Grandma Just Turned 95. Here She Is Downing A Glass Of Champagne On A Brunch Cruise!

espresso-yourself Report

#70

Sent An Image Of A Lobster To My Korean Grandmother Who Can Barely Speak English

Sent An Image Of A Lobster To My Korean Grandmother Who Can Barely Speak English

MichaelmouseStar Report

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#72

My Grandma Wanted A Picture Together Because We Accidentally Matched When Going Out For Dinner

My Grandma Wanted A Picture Together Because We Accidentally Matched When Going Out For Dinner

talkhxuse Report

#73

My Grandparents Meeting My Son For The First Time

My Grandparents Meeting My Son For The First Time

reddit.com Report

#74

I’m A Personal Trainer And I Work With A 77 Year Old With Parkinson’s Named Frank. He Doesn’t Move Around Much Unless He’s With Me So We Set A Step Goal Of 3,000 Steps A Day And He’s Been Updating Me Once He Hits His Goal. I’m So Proud Of Him

I’m A Personal Trainer And I Work With A 77 Year Old With Parkinson’s Named Frank. He Doesn’t Move Around Much Unless He’s With Me So We Set A Step Goal Of 3,000 Steps A Day And He’s Been Updating Me Once He Hits His Goal. I’m So Proud Of Him

Alan_The_Duck Report

#75

My 84yr Grandma Doesn’t Understand Memes

My 84yr Grandma Doesn’t Understand Memes

AmazingAbel_ Report

#77

My Papa Passed Away This Week Before His Time. He Loved Birds And Fought Valiantly To Keep Squirrels Away From His Bird Feeders. We Bought Him So Many Squirrel-Covered Things As A Joke, You’d Think He Secretly Loved Them. I Miss You Papa, Rest Easy

My Papa Passed Away This Week Before His Time. He Loved Birds And Fought Valiantly To Keep Squirrels Away From His Bird Feeders. We Bought Him So Many Squirrel-Covered Things As A Joke, You’d Think He Secretly Loved Them. I Miss You Papa, Rest Easy

sammy5198 Report

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#78

Assisted Living Place Is Asking For Pen Pals!!! (Victorian Senior Care On Fb) For Info

Assisted Living Place Is Asking For Pen Pals!!! (Victorian Senior Care On Fb) For Info

anxiousinminneapolis Report