Thursday 13 September 2012

Elderly? Moi?

Apparently 97% of over-65s object to being called elderly, and I can't blame them. It's a horrible expression (as is senior citizen and silver surfer...ugh!). But what's the alternative? It would seem that there's no pleasant word to describe those of us in this position. "Middle-aged" is pretty grim, too, but it does imply there's still fuel in the tank, but we "elderly" have long since reached the summit, and are now free-wheeling down the other side. At speed.

But my Grannie - pictured above with my cousin, and younger than I am now when the photo was taken - now, she was elderly. She was big and bosomy, wore elasticated knee length knickers, her hair always in a bun. She always wore a hat, and never, ever, trousers of any kind. Her hair was grey, and her teeth were not her own (although I never saw her without them). She did little in the way of chores, although I do recall her dead-heading the roses.

None of this was her fault. She was of her generation. But things have changed (thank heavens), and my generation are on the whole different. I wear jeans all the time, have no idea what colour my hair is supposed to be, and possess all my own teeth. I do things she would never have dreamed of doing, and only very occasionally wear a hat. I still can't believe I'm the age I am, and keep checking my birth date, hoping that I've got it wrong.(I haven't).

So. Can anyone think of a better word to describe people who are now classed as elderly? Or do we have to be categorised at all? Any ideas?

27 comments:

  1. Had a little surf (not silver) in cyberspace and came across http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/8720182/Wisdom-comes-with-age-study-shows.html

    Bit of a mouthful perhaps, but how about Wisdomry, Wisdomers and Wisdomologists?

    I understand re those in the good old days who were old, really old (in outlook and looks) at fifty onwards...

    Anna :o]

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  2. The Fitones, Longlifers, Happygens, The best-is-yet-to-come-ones... Any thing that is positive is fine by me.

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  3. Been there, done it all, got the teeshirt-ers!Or how about the refreshers? Or the Livelongers!

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    1. I rather like refreshers. I think I'll be one of those!

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  4. Can't think of a new word but there has to be one. Elderly is something that you might be when you're 80 but certainly not before.

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  5. I know someone in her early 60s who is old in her ways, and someone who is turned 80, has a fun outlook on life and a wonderful sense of humour. It's all in the mind. Still racking my brain to think up a name though.

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    1. I think the problem is that it's all in other people's minds, Maggie

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  6. Wish I had an answer. I'm not old. I'm shabby chic. :)

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  7. I cant think of a name either.....everyone is different.....You, Frances, hardly even look " middle aged" in your photo, never mind over 65! I am 67 soon, but certainly don't feel it...jeans, coloured hair, bring it on ! Some of my teeth are mine, some are crowns and bridges!!....previous generations didn't have that option in quite the same way did they?

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    1. You're right, Frances. I think previous generations didn't have the choice, so perhaps we're the lucky ones?

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  8. I once met a member of a singing group who called themselves The Jolliatrics.
    Not sure I'd want that label but why do we have to have labels anyway. I'm a woman and a writer and that'll do me.

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    1. I agree. Labels are dangerous things, and best avoided. If possible...

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  9. Hi Frances, we say, we're older than we were, but not old. My Mum and Dad don't think they're old either.

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  10. Maybe that's the answer. All in the mind etc....?

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  11. I think we should call ourselves "stately" people when we are over 55, (And I just made that age this year!)

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  12. Ooh, these conjure up such visions!Nice idea, but stately wouldn't really apply to my friend who post 65 regularly bungee jumps off bridges! 'Right on' people seem to use "elders", as in 'elders and betters'. Retirees is often used, but useless if you haven't retired.

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    1. Dee, I have a widowed friend of 80 who is having a passionate love affair!

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  13. Loved your post, Frances - it's my husband's 6th decade milestone next week and he hates the idea. Can't think of a good word for mid-lifers at the moment!

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    1. I think we should just abandon these labels altogether. I still have nightmares about the Elderly People Crossing signs!

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  14. It's only younger people that label us in these ways, so fight back. 'Whippersnapper', 'Sprog', etc. I find 'old chap' works quite well.
    Mind you, a friend whom I know to be five years younger than me often calls me 'young man', which I don't mind.

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  15. Oh the desire to label everything. Why oh why? I was born with my pension book in my hand (so my Mum said) and it's not until my sixties that I have discovered my youth. I recall being in Hong Kong some years ago and the young (label) lady offered me the senior citizen (or whatever it is called) rate for my Oyster Pass. I commented upon the assumption. 'We never ask' she said 'that would not be polite'.

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