"If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you're old." ~ Edgar Watson Howe

1/22/10

What would you like me to call you?

The International Longevity Center, along with the Aging Services of California, have come up with a guide of politically correct and incorrect ways of identifying and portraying the elderly.
According to both organizations, describing a person as "elderly" or "senior citizen" can be offensive,“older adult”is suggested as a better alternative.
Other unwelcomed terms considered patronizing and demeaning include, “feisty,”“spry,”“feeble,”“eccentric,” “senile” and “grandmotherly."
The word “home" as a better alternative to“skilled nursing facility”is suggested as well.
Other terms listed to avoid using seem funny to me because I can't imagine anyone using them. But just to be on the safe side don't use any of these either, “biddy,” “codger,” “coot,” “crone,” “fogy,” “fossil,” “geezer,” “hag,” “old fart,” “old goat,” “prune,” “senile old fool” and “vegetable.”

6 comments:

  1. HAHA!!! That's funny!

    new follower from Friday Follow

    misadventuresofmomof3.me

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  2. I'm here following your blog now from Friday Follow! Please come visit my blog! Have a great weekend! Thanks!

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  3. Thanks for linking up at Friday Follow. I am already following and stopping over to say hello. Happy Friday Follow!

    ~ Lynn
    http://www.middayescapades.com

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  4. Happy Follow Friday - Tami at www.heartsmakefamilies.com

    This is a great topic. Thanks for talkining about it.

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  5. I am following from friday follow. Sorry I am late/ or early!!!

    Sarah

    sarahsblogoffun.blogspot.com

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  6. I don't think I'd complain a bit if someone called me feisty or spry. :) Thanks for stopping by on FF.

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