Older Americans feel discriminated against in the job market

I am 60 and not looking for a job. But I have friends and family that are in my age group and trying to land a good job.

Many older American workers think there is discrimination against them. I generally disagree. Here are a few advantages that younger workers have over their parents (in broad generalities):
1) Younger workers are more willing to move to an area where job prospects are better than where they live;
2) Younger job applicants are better at learning new technology than older workers (on average);
3) Younger workers are more willing to change professions since they don’t have so many years invested in one industry or profession; they are more willing to adapt.
4) Anti-discrimination laws intended to protect older workers make it more expensive to fire the unproductive but old worker.
5) Older Americans have higher health care costs, so every time I hire an older American I increase my health care insurance costs.

But older Americans have a few advantages as well:
1) Older Americans are slightly more loyal to their employers than their
parents;
2) The fact that older Americans are less likely to fly the coop, makes any investment in their training likely to result in an employer for a longer period.

Many of the efforts to protect and subsidize older workers have in fact hurt their prospects in the marketplace for jobs.

Here is my suggestion for older workers. Start your own business; hire yourself.