Reply to Why don’t elderly people “get” autism?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have to be honest, I think this is one of those stupid obsessions with words when the real problem is attitudes.

The word elderly has been the clinical medical term for older humans for many many many years. Once upon a time in this society we had respect for elders, when they were called elderly. It isn’t the word that needs to change, it’s the attitudes behind ageism.

I’m sure that in 3-4 decades the proposed language changes you’ve posted links to will come to predominate. But that won’t make a bit of difference in the majority of attitudes in this society.

None of the medical professionals I work with disrespect the patients they call elderly. But plenty of folks in the wider society do, and still will when the language changes.

I’m 52 and I’ve lived through the major language changes from the 70s to today. And I’m well aware that a large number of people in our society snicker and sneer to themselves and often openly when forced to use the many genderless terms that have become the norm over the decades of my life. The attitudes haven’t changed much. Misogyny is still rampant. Changing the language doesn’t change people’s hearts.

But you’re right, I’m an arse wipe - nevermind that I’ve spent the last decade soothing elderly hospice patients as they prepare to leave this world. If I don’t call them what you want me to call them I’ve got a terrible/problematic attitude. Nevermind that I’ve never heard a single elderly person call themselves or their peers geriatric. They must be arse holes, too. [/quote]

I 100% disagree, and don't think your work means that you can just ignore what gerontologists are finding and recommending. If you're working with hospice patients why wouldn't you care about gerontological research? Further, you have no idea that your colleagues don't exhibit bias to their patients. You couldn't possibly know that.

Yes, movements are slow, but why not go after change in many ways. Changing language does influence change. We have changed so many racist terms for good reason: they were harmful. Yours is such a defeatist attitude: why bother?

Resisting change leads to further ageist stereotyping. [/quote]

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