COMMENTS

86 responses to “Open Thread Update: Don’t Call Me a “Senior Citizen””

1. My 4 choices:
   Seasoned
   Spicy At Heart
   Blooming Seniors
   Exemplary Seniors

   Reply to Cherrie Elaine Buskohl

2. Never “young lady”—it is insulting. Does anyone think that makes me feel good? We are simply human beings, embracing our one, precious life and lucky us who get to get wrinkly, grey, slower and maybe a little forgetful. Gratitude for each glorious day of these past 74 years.

   Reply to Linda S Chitwood

3. Senior Citizen is the best. Most of us has been thru a lot to get where we .
   are now. I love being call Mom and Mammaw by my grandkids. I am honor to be still needed.

   Reply to loretta pate

4. Back in 2017 I came up with the name “Berkshire SuperGenarians” for a group that I co-founded here in western Massachusetts. Perhaps now is the time for SuperGenarian to go viral. It does describe most of us in the over 55 age group.

   Reply to Mary Jane Incorvia Mattina

5. I prefer Ma’am if someone is addressing me. It’s respectful and accurate. I’m tired of all these new names for people. If they are referring to me (to someone else) they can say “the older woman” since that’s what I am. Stop looking for kitschy words. It’s annoying!

   Reply to Rita Crespi

   1. Actually being called a “senior” works for me. Not senior citizen, just senior. Where does the citizen come from? We say young, middle aged, without adding “citizen” so Senior is
      fine with me.
      Young at heart or “76 years young” – ugh. That’s how you know the person thinks you’re really “old” in a bad way. Lipstick on a pig.

      Reply to Susan Nathiel

6. After reading your follow up, I now like Young- At-Heart, or YahYah – for short! At our age, we should reflect fun, joy, appreciation and enthusiasm for the rest of our lives! We deserve it!

   Reply to Shirl

7. I hate it when I am called sweetie. It seems to be a term some people using when speaking to seniors. It’s disrespectful and condescending. I don’t have a problem with senior but dislike elderly.

   Reply to Iris

8. I vote for “older adult” because it is factual. We have younger and older adults.

   Reply to Spence Halperin

9. My grandfather who was 97 when he died said, “When you pass 80 you are just old.

   Reply to Helen Stewart

10. We have “millennials.” How about “senellials” or “eldennials, instead of senior citizen.

    Reply to costanza

11. Why categorize (aside from sex)? “Sir”, “Ma’am” or “Madam” or “Ms”. I’m sure of Sir, but women should speak for themselves (which they’re good at).

    Reply to John

12. I don’t mind being referred to as a Senior Citizen.

    Reply to Ronald Messier

13. The city of Portland, OR calls us ‘honored citizens’.

    Reply to Judith Salomon

14. I happy to like Senior Citizen. I hope it doesn’t get changed. Too many things changing these days.

    Reply to Pamela Zaitchick

    1. I agree with you!

       Reply to RitaCrespi

15. I like “Older” or “Elder”. But I can’t stand the well-meaning (I guess) store clerks that call any woman who appears to be over 50 “Young Lady”. Patronizing and disrespectful and demeaning.

    Reply to Michelle M Mindak

16. Generation G – GoldenAgers, Grandma/Grandpa, Grateful GoodLifers, Good-to-Go

    Reply to Shirl

    1. Cute.

       Reply to Sharon

    2. I like this and haven’t seen it before. There is the “greatest generation” and then all the Gen X and Gen Y etc. But Gen G kind of says it all. Or maybe Gen O for older or Gen S for senior.

       Reply to Susan Nathiel

17. Sage has become my new favorite, but older adult works. I worked with young people for many years and they hated being called teens. It is always something.

    Reply to Deidre Crawley

18. our elders

    Reply to Leonard Willinger

    1. I, too, like “Elder”, although there may need to do some attitude-upgrading*. But at least it is unambiguous and unlike to b be confused with top-level students. Anything is better than “Young Fella”.
       *For instance, when the gatekeeper at Costco said he was only admitting people who were “60 and Older”, I told him that was “60 and Better”.

       Reply to Rob Fleming

       1. use “60 plus”

    2. Why do we need a label at all? This society is so obsessed with labels it’s divides us . I’m a boomer snd a senior and an elder. Call me whatever just not late for dinner
       I like the term “ bloomer” cause we keep blooming!

       Reply to Ginny Kennedy

       1. Labels are helpful, as in “many elders in the group stood firmly for the council’s decision.” I think we’re obsessed with the divisions because there’s such confusion about roles and identity; the labels are just a way of figuring out these things.

    3. Think I prefer “older adults” instead of senior citizen

       Reply to Sue Woodruff

19. What’s the big deal?? I’m a senior…..and I’m a citizen…… that’s who I am.
    “A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.” Wm. Shakespeare.

    Reply to Carolyn Stem

    1. Agree!!!

       Reply to Ginny Kennedy

    2. I’m with you, Carolyn. “What’s the big deal?? I’m a senior…..and I’m a citizen…… that’s who I am.”
       I just prefer not to be called MOM.

       Reply to Wendy Malepeai

20. Many cultures use the term “elder,” connoting wisdom and the role of culture carrier. I prefer it to senior or OAP (old age pensioner ), which is used in the UK.

    Reply to Linda Laddin

21. I’m an Elder. I’m a seasoned adult. I’m an old man. All preferable to the imperfect “senior citizen” or “aged,” which sounds like I’m being compared to a hard cheese.

    Reply to Robb Smith

22. I am 76, but I don’t like any of the terms that may be applied to me, including elderly, elder, aged, old, mature, senior, venerable, and more. It does not matter if they are being used in a venerating, critical, or neutral manner. They do not matter. I am what I am, and that is a complex being with varying levels of cognitive, physical, and psycho-social functioning, all varying with age. Just call me John.
    Also I do not expect respect just because I am numerically older.

    Reply to John Hogle

    1. If you are in good health and mobile, say you are a senior in years but not elderly.

       Reply to J. Matthew Brady

23. Category thinking is so un-cool. Putting people in labelled boxes contradicts their humanity. Category thinking is promoted by adverting consumer-oriented society that looks for profit by selling you their stuff.

    Reply to Stanzi

24. Why object to “senior citizen?” It’s a good term. I’m old enough to remember that before they started calling older adults “senior citizen” they were called something else which I don’t remember (I think it was before I became a senior citizen), but “senior citizen” was the new and better expression, and I still agree to that. A “senior” in high school or college is a respectable term and so is the word “senior” when referred to as a senior adult. “Senior citizen” is better than “older adult” (I don’t want to hear the “old” as in “older”), and I hate when I hear the word “elderly” applied to anyone over 70. I probably won’t mind being called elderly when I reach 100 years old, but instead will feel proud to have reached that age.

    Reply to Sara

    1. I don’t care much, although “elderly” sounds good. What I hate is being addressed as “honey” or “sweetie” by a store clerk. They wouldn’t have dared calling me that when I was under 60.

       Reply to Pat

25. Young at Heart forever.

    Reply to LINNY DURAN

26. I have no problem being called a senior citizen. Just don’t call me late for dinner.

    Reply to Larry

    1. Years ago I said “Don’t care what you call me, just don’t call me late for dinner!” to many. Larry is so on target.
       As for the “young lady” line, I have fun with it in a certain context. My family has lived in this neighborhood since the depression. My local deli is going on to generation three, with many longtime extended family and staff. The guys at the counter are often seniors themselves and everyone has known each other for years. YL generates a lot of witty quips and laughter!

       Reply to Barbara

27. A thriving genarian. My superpower is living!

    Reply to Bee

28. I’d rather be called a Senior Citizen than be called elderly or elder.

    Reply to Suma Glassman

29. Whatever we’re called, if it isn’t coupled with respect, caring and love, then at best it’s useless, at worst it’s harmful.

    At the Hubert Humphrey Building dedication, Nov. 1, 1977, in Washington, D.C., former vice president Humphrey spoke about the treatment of certain members of society as a reflection of a government: “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”

    I opt for “elder” and “wisdom keeper” and that we be accorded a respected role in society.

    Reply to Eva Z

30. I like “elder.” “Wise elder,” is even better!

    Reply to Jane Sloven

31. I like older adult or older person. Other terms like senior or elder reinforce the widespread notion that when you get older you’re not just a person anymore but morph into something called “old.” And we all know we’re the same person we always were no matter how old we get .

    Reply to Leslie Stone

32. It never occurred to me that Senior Citizen omitted some; just wasn’t thinking! However, Senior does set one apart more readily and possibly just adding an “s” would cover all.
    Seniors All
    Alruth

    Reply to ALRUTH B TONEY

33. Elder – definitely, like the term used in many other societies

    Reply to Helga Smith

34. Not elderly for 60+ population. I like older adults and “seasoned” adults although many in my circle don’t like seasoned. Said it makes them think of “spring chicken” but at least we laugh at that. I do think we need a change from “senior” and “citizen”. Maybe even aging adults.

    Reply to Wanda D.

35. Older Adult
    Elder
    Never Ma/Mommie from strangers

    Reply to Madeline Green

36. I like elder a lot. It seems to go with wiser. . . .
    It is not gendered, which is nice.

    How about “grander”?

    Reply to Jane Guard

37. I have reached the age where I could care less what people call me – except grandpa when I am with the grand kids. To hell with categories, descriptions and the like. I will let other people worry about such issues.

    Reply to A. Mills

38. older adults sounds good.

    Reply to Frank Keller

39. Older adult seems popular.

    Reply to Alex Kent

40. I prefer
    elder n. one having authority (wisdom) by reason of age and experience.

    elder adj. of higher rank.

    Reply to Jean Stracy

41. It doesn’t matter, You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe!

    Reply to Barbara Sease

42. Elder. It sounds reverent. As in, honor our elders.

    Reply to Cheryl Ryan

43. Elder, no way! Elder than what? Elder than whom? Citizen does not infer country citizenship in any way, shape or form. We are citizens who have reached a certain level of life and now reside there comfortably .When will people accept that fact that they are older, Golden, elder, Senior? It is not the nomenclature that counts, but how you accept and conduct yourself as such within that category, no matter how and what the terminology.

    Reply to CaroleAnnMichele

44. I like Senior Citizen and can remember when it was the new, politically correct term. I also think time and energy are better spent on things that matter, not silly articles like this.

    Reply to Timothy Reynolds

45. “Older adult” seems to have no ambiguity and to work in every context.

    Reply to Fran Weinberg

46. How about “60 years plus.”

    Sandra Jean

    Reply to Sandra Jean

47. I preferSeasoned adults. Elder has two connotations. One ascribes to a person who has years over another and the next is the Office one holds in Church. I don’t hold that Church Office.

    Reply to Diane Dunlap

48. How about “oh ancient wise one”.

    Reply to Harriet

49. I have no problem with “Senior Citizen.” I consider it a badge of honor – just as I do my gray hair, age spots and wrinkles. “Citizen,” for me, means “citizen of the world.”

    Reply to Marta

50. Venerable? Matriarch/Patriarch? Venerable?

    Reply to Andrea Vinet

51. I go with wisdom-worker as I have no desire to ever stop working and I bring wisdom, experience and expertise to the table!

    Reply to John Hamblin

52. The term “senior citizen “ drives me nuts. It’s patronizing! I don’t like “senior” either. If I’m a “senior”, is a 30 year old a “junior”? “Elderly” is also awful: brings up visions of someone who is by definition always physically and mentally impaired. “Older adult” or a descriptive term like “an older woman/man” is perhaps even better.

    Reply to Mary Hardering

53. I would prefer being called “seasoned human.”

    Reply to Sherry Ogata

54. Elder or silver sounds good.
    I too was confused with Senior, one of the donut shops was offering a dozen doughnuts to Seniors, I got very excited. Lol, good thing I read the whole article before heading out for my doughnuts.

    Reply to Yolanda Castillo

    1. Same here. I got all excited when my church was having a party for Seniors. Ha ha Glad I figured it out prior to showing up for it!

       Reply to Diana Hershberger

55. I don’t like elder – that makes me feel really old. I like Senior or senior adult if we don’t want citizen.

    Reply to Norma. Gluck

56. Elder!
    The difference between elderly & elder is immense. Disdain the former, love for the latter.
    Elder not only implies wisdom as someone else said, but it imples a certain amount of mentorship as well. Whatever wisdom we’ve gained, must be shared.

    Reply to Vici Wolff

57. Elder. But not elderly.

    Reply to Anne Culver

    1. Is this my dear fellow thespian – Anne Culver? I personally don’t like “Elder” as it connotes wisdom, which in many cases (my own included) is inappropriate.
       Some years ago while volunteering with the Montgomery County Rec. Dept. this naming issue came up and I believe the County has adopted the the term Rec. Center in lieu of Senior Center – at least for any new facilities.
       The French use the phrase “le troisieme age” – the third age. Everything sounds better in French!

       Best,

       Mike

       Reply to Michael Greenhut

58. I like the term golden ager.

    Reply to Isabel Lugo Jarboe

59. Elder implies wisdom, that’s good. I don’t mind Senior either, spent many decades getting there.
    Older could be various ages, don’t like that one.

    Reply to Karen

60. I like the name elder. I feel it implies some wisdom.
    And along this line I hate it when someone calls me Honey or Sweetie.
    Thanks, Briana B

    Reply to Briana Bittel

    1. yes – elder – the perfect word.

       Reply to Nina M Klippel

    2. I probably have a double standard. I have a habit of calling female associates, “Hon.” It just slips out. I only say it because I like them. 30 lashes, I know.

       Reply to Martin Gross

61. Elder

    Reply to Kathleen Steed

    1. I was going to say elder as well, but now think silver sounds better! Not silver person, though. Just silver.

       Reply to Joanna Liss

62. I like “older adult”. Senior is OK. Elderly, never.

    Reply to Diane Fischler

    1. Honored citizen

       Reply to Malvina Abbott

63. Silver person. Not silver back like the highland gorillas of Tanznia.

    Reply to Patrick E Millican

    1. Definitely not silver back, comment put a smile on my face.

       Reply to Yolanda castillo

64. Sticks and stones
    may break my bones,
    but whips and chains
    excite me.

    Reply to Martin Gross

    1. Wow. Somewhat spicy. : -)

       Reply to Diane Dunlap