I’m a 67-yr-old house sitter who has been with TH for seven years. I have lots of experience and glowing references. I’ve noticed that, as a ‘mature’ sitter, my age is shown as ‘65+’, whereas those who are younger have their actual age shown.
Is any other sitter bothered by this? I believe that everyone should be treated the same. It’s my opinion that it’s unfair to uniformly categorize mature sitters as 65+.
What do you think? I’m happy to have feedback from all ages 
Ha, I was going to say that too. I’m still under 65 but when I get there, I’d rather it shows 65+.
Not there yet but would settle for 65+. I think the photo that you have on your profile also says a lot about you qua age and outlook on life. I’m always getting told I look and act way younger but still have a few years to go tillI get this badge. But i do put up a new photo every year so HO’s don’t get a big Whaat !??? when we first Skype or FaceTime
I’m happy with 65+ but I do know of older sitters who have altered their age to remain under 65!
Yikes, that doesn’t seem fair.
Which tells me you think you may be judged negatively if homeowners know you are far older. I want homeowners to know that I am an active, ‘junior senior’. I’ve decided to edit my profile to show my age at the start. Thanks for your honesty though 
A common trick on dating apps too. However, once tricks like that need to be used to manage this type of thing, it’s unfortunate. Being able to trust is vital for both sitter and home owner. 
So be prepared for, when you’re 66, having a homeowner wondering if you’re perhaps far older and not capable of doing what’s needed. That thought is likely to cross a homeowner’s mind when seeing 65+. You may just think otherwise, when you first end this golden age.
Some of us over 65+ (and I’m only just that!) are fitter and more capable than our younger counterparts! I like to look at other sitters’ profiles when they have sat for sits I’m interested in and that’s where I notice some of their photos really don’t match their age given!
I agree about the photos, and of course the profile content overall. However, when you’re still early 60s, will you be content with being in a category that also includes those far older? That may concern you, when you get there. I don’t mean to be disrespectful to those who are far older, but if age is relevant, then let’s all be treated equally, I think.
Maybe they show photos based on what they want to highlight, rather than them all being recent? I know that’s the case with mine. I have always believed that this site is so successful because of the amount of information shared, but I hadn’t considered that people may not be truthful about such things as age. Naive on my part, unfortunately. I will still stay with telling the truth though. 
Yes have noticed that too that some photo’s don’t tally up completely with the HO either and when you FaceTime or have other contact it’s a slightly older person you get to see. But as long as the info adds up and we all get along, age hasn’t made any different from both sides up to now in my case. But as you say I am still on the “under” side of reaching 65 so might find it different when I hit that goal
Thanks for sharing, Maggie. My main concern is being discounted by a homeowner because of being 65+. Many of us are capable of so much more than society’s stereotype of senior citizens.
Snowbird - Could not agree more. Example my mum worked full-time running a restaurant right up until she was nearly 73 and she could outdo the youngsters on winning the pop quizzes as well. She only really slowed down when she was mid-80’s and we had our last roadtrips through scandinavia when she was 84 and 85. So lets hope a lot of HO have such parents and just see 65+ as just what it is ‘ a number’ and not expect it to reflect on the persons capabilities
@Maggie @Snowbird @temba @Kelownagurl … really interesting conversation and the age on profiles question comes up at both ends of the sitter spectrum. There are 20’s who may get passed over because they are considered “too young” and yet could be perfect for the sit, it’s not about age but attitude and the ability to meet, even surpass expectations.
I always chose more mature sitters and looked at ages first (only because of personal experiences with a less than house proud young family member) until a beautifully written and presented application from a 23 year old fell into my messages, one of over 20 applications all from experienced and mature sitters, long story short she was the perfect sitter.
If you are 65+ fit and an active sitter, with a great profile and good reviews and owners can see that you are completely aware of all that is involved with their pet’s needs and home care to the point that you only apply for sits that you know are the right fit for everyone involved … I sit in the 65+ cohort and could almost add another 10 years to the + but would happily display my age if required.
Do you think it be fairer to have a choice of the way ages are displayed on profiles?
Thank you for your feedback. If ages were in ranges I think it would be fairer perhaps, but it is not. Under 65 sitters are shown by a specific age. Then, when reaching 65, everyone is bulked together. It certainly is an advantage to more senior sitters, who don’t want to be discounted because of their age. It’s less favourable for ‘junior seniors’.
Thank you for your comments, which I agree with totally. However, only the age range of 65+ is grouped together. I recognize that is advantageous for those who are ‘senior seniors’, who are capable and fit and don’t want to be discounted because of age. However, everyone should be treated equally, otherwise it is nothing less than subtle discrimination on the basis of age. Also, when you do the ID verification, surely you could check age against sitters’ profiles, to make sure everyone is being truthful (for all ages)? Any efforts to close loopholes for avoiding the truth would be appreciated.
Hi @Snowbird there was a proposal at one time that we not have any ages on profiles and that if owners required that information they could ask, there was a very pertinent reason for not removing them.
The 65+ was only introduced after in depth member research, at one time all profiles displayed a member’s age. I will take your feedback to the team.
Thank you.
How true! I totally agree with you, Snowbird.
Thanks, Angela, for your comments and I agree with you about age at either end of the spectrum on our profiles. So long as a sitter can show they meet the requirements of the home owner then age should not be a factor. I’m glad you’re taking the feedback from this thread back to the team.