I've been programming for 50 years. While I'm 71, I'm still a good programmer. Your age is not a technical handicap. The issue is the perception of potential

I've been programming for 50 years. While I'm 71, I'm still a good programmer. Your age is not a technical handicap. The issue is the perception of potential employers and co-workers. I have been repeatedly advised by folks in the field that age prejudice is wide-spread and substantial and that I should hide my age when seeking admission to YC, etc. You might turn your age to your advantage. The education attainment of folks your age is maybe 4 years out of date. A high quality crash education in a rapidly evolving speciality might give you an attractive advantage over other folks your age. But, I suspect that self-taught is not going to do it for you.