The dawning of a “certain” age

The terms, “Aged, Elderly, Old, Geriatric, Senior” have only one thing in common – they’re labels used to describe people perceived of being at that “certain age.” Turns out that certain age is far from certain. We all know very old 50 year-olds, and very young 80 year-olds. So what are the point of these labels? And which one is politically correct this year?

I recently asked this question to friends of mine in their 80’s. They feel fine about being referred to as “elderly”, because as they put it, “we are.” But that’s not all they are.  Others see the onset of becoming elderly, aged or just plain old upon reaching a specific milestone or birthday. The term “geriatric” conjures up an image of a very frail person requiring personal care and assistance. The government declares us senior citizens when Medicare coverage and Social Security benefits kick in. You get the point. 

So let’s get back to the labels…I would argue that the important thing is to see the individual before the label. This “People First” movement has been embraced by a number of groups including “People with Disabilities and People with AIDS.”  Here in Brunswick Maine a community center changed its name from the “55+ Center” to the “People Plus Center” for just these reasons. The word “People” is much more expansive, inclusive and inviting than descriptive terms that select one aspect of the human experience. Labels are limiting and can lead to misunderstandings about the person behind the label. Going forward, I will consciously avoid such labels while getting to know the adults I consult with and listening to how they describe themselves.