We’re No Senior Citizens.
By Erica and Karen
Do you identify as a senior citizen? We don’t.
What is a senior citizen?
Merriam-Webster’s definition is straightforward: an older adult and especially one who is age 65 or older. What the term senior citizen adds to the basic fact of being over 65 is not obvious.
U.S. News and World Report has a list of characteristics it says triggers the definition of senior citizen:
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Qualifying for Medicare.
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Social Security eligibility.
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Receiving senior discounts.
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Spending retirement savings.
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Stepping away from work.
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Changes in health.
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A shift in priorities.
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Rethinking age stereotypes.
Pretty amusing that discounts is a trigger for the definition when one must meet the definition to trigger the discounts. Again, what is the point of a definition that is malleable or incomprehensible?
And of course there are worse definitions.
Culturally, a senior citizen is someone who is slowing down in their life. They have accomplished raising a family, having a career, or any other monumental feat in their adult life. An elderly person in the US is typically thought to be wiser or more experienced.
Economically, a senior requires financial support either in the form of retirement funds or savings or with the support of a caregiver. Since a senior citizen can no longer work they need to have someone or some account that can help to cover their expenses. As a result, seniors are often dependent on others for their welfare.
Medically, a senior citizen is more apt to have health problems, which are age-related. Loss of mobility, hearing and vision are the most common health complaints. However, elderly individuals can also be more likely to suffer chronic pain and illnesses, which require aid and support from outside sources.
What nonsense. This description is not one to which most of us would answer. We are wiser and more experienced, but we are not slowing down just because we raised families and completed careers. We provided for our own financial securiity by working for decades. And we do not for the most part have health problems as a consequence of reaching the grand age of 65.
We do meet many of the proposed factual criteria, like being retired, or being over 65, or being eligible for Medicare or Social Security. But those criteria are in no way linked to being decrepit people who can’t work and who are forced to depend on others for everything.
The term senior citizen does not need to be replaced. It needs to be erased.
Im not in favor of erasing the term Senior citizen. I agree that I dont like the definition of being helpless- financially or medically dependant on others and I certainly dont like thinking we have nothing more to contribute . Let the term stand – and redefine it. There are many more healthy – vibrant Seniors out enjoying life and being active than there are the sickly dependant ones. Lets redefine Senior life. I happen to love my Senior life – Im 70.
Yes, let’s redefine the term with a positive swing … Seniors have acquired a lifetime of wisdom; they are generational historians; they have withstood the trials and tribulations of a lifetime of walking the Earth…
I agree the definition of Senior citizen sorely needs updating.
A number seniors remain in the workforce well into their seventies and even into their eighties if possible.
Seniors as a group need cultural respect for their wisdom and experience.
Judy
When I turned an osteopenia diagnosis back to “normal” with workouts and supplements, I knew that my age did not have to run my life. It’s what you do and how you look at it all.
Senior Citizen is a “body age”. It definitely is not a mind age, thinking age, idea age, critical thinking age, nor creative age. Unfortunately, ”senior citizen” is a blanket term, throw over everyone who achieves it, and it only seems to hold negative attributes of the aging process. Perhaps, because our younger agers are less mature, less educated, less trained in social ethics of respect and honoring their elderly.
Terminology: Senior Citizen
It represents another stage of the life span (infancy, childhood, adolescence…etc). We don’t question or seek to rename or identify other stages of our life, so why consider changing the term senior citizen?
If you possess a strong spirit and have high confidence to continue a life path with vitality and vigor it will be evident to all who see you living a beautiful life.
Age is truly nothing more than a number, and the labels society have created for us do not define how we live and how we’re seen, so live boldly & have fun, this is the only life we get!
I teach yoga to “seniors” in a residential community. One day a sprite woman in her 80s informed me they decided they didn’t like the term “senior” as it implied you were graduating from something. They prefer the term “perennial” as they come back year after year. After that, I changed the name of my class from “senior” yoga to “perennial” yoga! As a 69 year old yoga teacher, I also prefer this term!
I agree. It’s time to change the outdated terminology. And outdated thinking.
I so agree with your article. Most of these definitions make my blood boil. Unfortunately, our society has these definitions etched in everyone’s brain and ageism is alive and well. Thanks for being a voice for us.
Yes! So frustrating to be surrounded by this stereotype! and hard to stay away from it and not give in to this nonsense!
Actually, we were dependent on others for our income while we were working. That’s why they called it work!
Thanks, everyone.
Denyse, we love “perennial!” What do others think of that?
One more insight. No more definitions calling. Let’s use our own names and be our own self now. I am Donna.
Please look at the website/FB page “Growing Bolder” It is full of great ideas and motivational pieces for everyone over 40.
I love everything about this!
The term, “Perennial”, tickles my tummy!! As an Employment Counselor serving employees who have been laid off, I have used this term for over 5 years to temper their feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy, invisibility, fleeting self-confidence, and low self-worth. Perennials rise year after year, after year. Through adverse conditions, sweltering temperatures, blizzards in April and May, category 4 wind gusts—they get it! Thereafter, these program participants gradually give themselves grace and persevere through the job search process to successful re-employment! “Perennials” is what we are!
-Gwen Enzler
Personally, I do not like the idea of "labeling". Good grief age is just that, age. We all age throughout our entire lives. Nothing or no-one should dictate our state of mind or being, If social security is the reason for this crazy labeling, then let’s talk about that. How we feel, engage and live is not about social security benefits. Heck that won’t even be part of future generations conversation. The baby boom generation is fortunate to have this as a benefit to aging in our society, but we’ve paid into this program not in direct relation to the benefits we’ll receive. It’s subsidized benefits for a category of "age" that is long past its original proposed purpose. Let’s own our existence and engage fully – to our physical and mental capacity – to live life to its fullest – contributing back to society what we took from it throughout our lifetimes. Let’s live the legacy we want to live – however we define it.
Perennial!!! yes!
"seasoned individuals"
Cullturally, economically, medically . . . how about spiritually? As mentioned on your list of priorities #7, a shift in priorities is not a bad thing. And after years of paying $800/month for medical coverage, I was so grateful to reach the age of Medicare. Wasn’t going to turn that down!
How about "timeless"? That is the way I feel in my head. Sometimes I am shocked when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror but I feel the same as I did in my 20’s. I am 70 now but still enjoy what I did in my 20’s. The only thing that has changed is that I don’t stay out late on a regular basis.