A garage sale offers tragic bargains in a poignant spot for AARP

A long, eventful life should result in a house full of memories and mementos. But sometimes life takes a turn for the worse, and unexpected challenges force tough decisions. A new spot from The AARP Foundation presents a sobering portrait of one man who's down on his luck in his later years. To help make ends meet, he holds a garage sale, selling the fruits of his long life to pay for necessities. The money he makes from a ceramic cat will go to pay for heart medicine, and a record collection funds his hot water bill. A football trophy will cover the cost of dinner tonight, and an antique lantern becomes bus fare. It's a touching, tragic story that perhaps even undersells the dire situation facing many older Americans. If health insurance could be bought for the cost of an old toaster, many more people would be able to get the care they need. The 60-second spot is from AARP's agency of record, Grey New York, which also created another ad focusing on the history of a lone table, now displaced by a foreclosed house. Accompanying print images by British photographer Platon feature the faces of seniors. The campaign includes digital video, social media and events, along with placements in AARP's member magazine, newsletter and website.

A garage sale offers tragic bargains in a poignant spot for AARP

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