I did in fact answer your question, you may just be unable to comprehend the implications of an old man being forced to work because of that very same self-destructive mindset.

In civilized society the situation makes him a victim by default.

He's an elderly man being forced to work to make ends meat in a first world country in the supposed civilized world.
I know it might be hard for some Americans or American-minded people to comprehend this, but the true value of a society is displayed by how it treats it's weakest members.
He's not only a victim of a cruel society, but also an exemplary sign of it's sickness and self-destructiveness.