As a manager, how do you manage people way older than you?

You treat them like any other employee. Remember that your job is to manage them and they aren't in that position for a reason.

Maximize their strengths

just be as direct and respectful as possible i would imagine. much like anyone as long as they dont sense you being disingenuous then you shouldnt run into any problems.

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they have no desire to grow next 5-10 same as a 25 year old

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Do they not work? Do they not do the job you ask them to do?

Get this ageist bullshite outta here.

(and btw... most people in their 50's are Gen X, not boomers)

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How can this be true? You know they have no desire to grow next 5-10 same as a 25 year old

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That kind of depends on the person. As a manager, you should focus on what specific value the employee brings to the company and try to highlight that. Someone may not be the most eager to learn new technology, but is still a valuable team member because his or her market knowledge and experience.

Someone nearing retirement may not have any interest in moving up the corporate ladder, but that doesn't mean that person cannot be a solid team member who lessens the issues that his manager has to deal with.

I fart in front of them to establish dominance

Realize they are stuck for a reason. If they’re still employed, they prob do a decent job but struggle with solutions or wrapping a bow on things and moving along.

Be as hands off as possible as you ‘trust’ them with seniority and experience. Be ready to step in when it’s time to finish things to put a stamp on it whether they like it or not and make them move on to the next task.

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Long story short, managing people in 50s feels weird since they remind you of your parents so extra empathy but feel that’s just ageist so a bit uncomfortable.

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You just have to know how to talk to people. Significantly younger managers can tend to talk down to older workers, and that’s a terrible way to manage the older people. I’ve also seen where younger managers are very quick to give up on older people.

Generally I’ve found:

My older workers tend to show up on time and do exactly what you tell them, but they need a little more hand holding at first - especially when learning new technologies or processes. I equate it to a train. It takes a lot to get it moving, but once it gets moving it’s full speed ahead.

The younger people tend to have a more of an issue with timeliness, but they can pick up the technology or process stuff up pretty quickly. However you can sometimes run into issues where they think a process doesn’t apply to them and they do what they think is the best way to do something whether or not it’s the correct way.

I treat them like I'm the manager and they are the people I manage.

Don't let yourself overthink this.