I’m taking the words “senior citizen” and “elderly” back, and so should you!

I’ve called it: I’m taking the terms ‘elderly’, ‘old person’, ‘aged’, ‘pensioner’ and ‘senior citizen’ back! I’m sick of how we’ve let these words become so offensive to us, when they’re just words.

I think us over 60s really need to stop feeling upset by when we hear these words as it’s just someone else’s ignorance. And even then, these are terms that have become familiar. I personally don’t care what someone calls me as I am just grateful they aren’t saying “Hey b*tch” or something similar.

I had a friend tell me recently that she hated all the words that were thrown around and suggested the new age of baby boomers should be called ‘new-olds’ or ‘new old people’. Hilariously, she also said she calls herself ‘chronologically advanced’. She told me that the terms used for over 60s in 2015 were very dated and that they were better suited to the days when people would die in their 60s and we’d say they’d lived a very long life! I have to say I don’t agree and I’ll tell you why. I’m so over getting worked up over the words that I’m learnt to embrace them.

So let’s go through those words that make so many of us get our knickers in a knot, and soon you’ll see it’s actually a compliment.

I love being a senior citizen! How great is it that I’m the most senior of the citizens? I am an imperial goddess, I am superior! I feel privileged to be called a senior citizen, and so should you!

And how about elderly? Oh please: if you look at the definition of elderly, you’ll see it just means that you’re past middle age and approaching old age! See, it’s just what you are: approaching old age. So basically anyone after 40 could be called elderly and if we’re paired up with them, then that’s something to smile about.

Now, the dreaded “old person”. We’ve all been called “that old lady” or “that old man” but I personally love it. I’m an old lady! Everyone knows that being old is a great thing. As is being “aged”, just like my wine. I always tell my grandkids that I’m ageing like a fine wine and they just laugh.

On to “pensioner”. I was overheard this at a local store recently and thought it was quite apt. I really am on the pension, so good guess. The same with “retiree” – I am retired and I’m loving it.

All in all, I think if us baby boomers love what we’re called, no matter what it is, we can start to make more positive definitions for these words. While we might be insulted when we’re called pensioners or old people, we need to learn that we’re the ones who think these are bad words. We’re perpetuating the negative connotations! Remember, the person saying these words, more often than not, doesn’t want to offend you, so don’t take offence – just laugh it off and smile: you’re alive!

Share your thoughts: do you dislike being called certain words? Or are you OK with being called a senior etc.?