joyce pellino crane

by Joyce Pellino Crane

BROUHAHA BOLSTERS JOB-SEEKING BABY BOOMERS AND BOOSTS RATINGS

Name-calling aside, comedienne Joan Rivers, 75, bested the younger Annie Duke, a professional poker player, in Celebrity Apprentice, Sunday, bolstering the self-confidence of older job seekers everywhere. In a society that’s mad for youthful workers, Rivers transcended ageism by exuding boundless energy throughout the season’s competition and convincing Donald Trump to crown her the winner.

These are tough times for workers, in general, and older workers are facing even greater hiring hurdles.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 13.7 million were out of work in April—that’s 6 million more, or 3.9 percent higher than a year ago.

Older workers cost more. Health insurance premiums rise dramatically when an employee becomes gravely ill or suffers from a chronic disease such as diabetes.

The cost of providing health care for someone 65 or older is three to five times greater than the cost for someone younger, according to “The State of Aging and Health in America 2007,” a report jointly issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Merck Company Foundation.

So aging Baby Boomers are facing serious challenges just as the automobile industry disintegrates, the newspaper industry implodes, retail curtails hiring, and technology companies lay-off in droves.

Rivers, who runs Joan Rivers Worldwide Enterprises, projected a strong work ethic, tireless determination, and fierce competitiveness on the show. But the catfights were vicious and the name-calling cruel. Rivers called Duke “solicitous” and “worse than Hitler.” Duke called Rivers “unprofessional,” and said she should “die,” and that her behavior inside a real boardroom would be unacceptable.

Despite the ratings-baiting antics, Rivers won a precious victory for everyone over 50.

“Joan, you really are a role model for so many people,” said Trump, just before he fired Duke.