Old, older, oldest

By Gordon Hawkins

There are many who say that "old age" and "elderly" are terms that are imprecise, out of date and agist and that we should not all be bundled into these catch-all category and that people should use more fluid terms like "older age" and "older people" which recognize that, after middle age (whenever that is), there are many more phases to later life than just "old."

Looking at it from the perspective of the nineties, I, for one, think this perspective has a lot going for it. The trouble is that "old age" and "elderly" are terms so engrained in everyday conversation that it takes an effort to remember to be correct. And, while word changes may help, the more fundamental need is to wipe out the attitude that often lies behind the ancient usage.

It is complicated. Giving up the use of the word "elderly" is something I do with some reluctance. In fact, I'm not sure I can manage without it. On occasion, it can have an overtone of gentleness, even dignity; a bit patronising too, perhaps, but a friendly word in common currency. On the other hand, ' Old Age Pensioner', a term still in use in parts of the English-speaking world should be banished for ever. It is, a meaningless category with ageist connotations.

And dictionaries are not much help in trying to find the best words. Chambers, for example, gives "elderly" as a noun while, in the Oxford, we are only an adjective.

The phrase "cognitively intact" is apparently used to describe those of us still able to sleep, dress, walk, eat, read, think and love - more or less. It is a label I'd be happy to have pinned on my bib. Not on my passport, though for fear of being taken for an undesirable alien. I am attracted by a different term for those in my slot: "deep old age." To me it has not only a hint of profundity but also a bit of a maritime ring to it - tides, oceans, the sound of waves ringing in our ears, to be heard while we are being allowed to splash with other floaters and dog-paddlers in the shallow end of the pool.