Elder-blogger Ronni Bennett of Time Goes By wrote a recent post in which she shared her letter to editor Arthur S. Brisbane of the New York Times requesting that the newpaper change some of the language it uses when referring to older people. She’s particularly annoyed by the use of the term “elderly” which she says implies infirmity and sometimes cognitive impairment, two conditions that do not apply to every person over a certain age.
There’s concern on the part of many older people that the term “senior” is no longer useful or appropriate either because it has so many negative stereotypes associated with it. So what word would work? Click here to read an “In My Experience” commentary from our 4/9/09 “Experience Talks” radio show in which Cynthia Friedlob, EngAGE’s Website & Social Media Manager, shared her observations.
What do you think older people should be called, both in the press and in conversation? Please let us know in the comments below.
A CELEBRATORY NOTE: This is our 250th blog post on the EngAGE Blog! We hope you enjoy reading it.
