The Power Of Words: Words hold immense power. They shape how we see each other and ourselves, particularly as we age. Having owned a homecare agency, I’ve seen the profound impact our words and actions have on individuals recovering or transitioning through life’s later stages – often at their most vulnerable. This experience has been pivotal in shaping my approach in how I think about aging and talk to and about those of us who are older adults.
Now, leading Silver Savvy, I am channeling these insights into a broader mission to transform how we think about and address aging. By refining our language and interactions, we ensure they reflect the respect and compassion that should be at the heart of all patient care.
Why Every Word Counts: Preparing to go into homecare, I decided to learn the business from the ground up and train with the RedCross as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The experience was eye opening. While training, a lesson from our instructor stuck with me all these years. One day our instructor discussed the impact of aging and what it means to be vulnerable and in need of assistance – often for the first time. She asked us to call adult diapers “briefs” and bibs “clothing protectors.” You might think, “What’s in a name?” But here’s the thing—it’s all about respect. She explained this wasn’t about being fancy with words; it was about preserving dignity for everyone, no matter what type of assistance they needed.
A Lesson in Dignity: It’s Just Respect: Fast forward and I am running my agency in the Boston area. I’ll never forget the day I met an 88-year-old man at a rehab center. After months recovering from a fall, all he wanted was to get back to his life, his family, his home. My agency was one of three under evaluation for his at-home assistance. needs. He was still quite weak, in a wheelchair, often looking down. In a room full of concerned family members, I made sure our conversation wasn’t about him—it was with him. And when he chose our agency as his at-home care provider, his words struck a chord that still resonates: “I am still a man, dammit, and I expect respect.” This wasn’t just about his past as a family-man, leader and decision-maker; it was about seeing him, right there, as the person who mattered.
Let’s Clean Up Our Act: Too often, our language slips into ageism, subtly chipping away at respect.
Let’s switch it up:
- Say “older adult” instead of ‘elderly’ or ‘senior’—a term that respects their whole journey.
- Use “experiences memory loss” instead of ‘senile’—it’s specific and stigma-free.
- Choose “needs assistance” over ‘dependent’—because needing help doesn’t strip away autonomy.
- Discuss “continuing to work” instead of ‘retirement’—many remain actively engaged in their fields.
Call to Action: Stand Up, Speak Out This is more than a conversation; it’s a call to action. We, the over-60 crowd, are still here, contributing, living, and deserving of respect. Share this blog, talk about it with friends, challenge ageist language when you hear it, and use the hashtag #RespectfulAging to keep this crucial conversation alive. Your stories, your voice—they matter immensely. Let’s ensure they echo with the respect we all deserve.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this and your support.
Warmly,
Your SilverSavvy Team