How to Eliminate Agism in Your Conversations

The California Department of Aging wrote the guidelines below for those who write or plan to write for the department.

Despite the fact that probably very few of you have plans to write for the CDA, you can probably benefit from considering some of the common mistakes that people make when talking to or about older adults – even those of you who are older adults.

One of the responsibilities we have in communicating with our audiences is to avoid using terminology and metaphors that stereotype the people we serve.

Communications with and about older adults must be reframed and stripped of ageism, an identity-based prejudice that stereotypes and discriminates based on age.

Ageism is at the root of stereotypical, negative and discriminatory language around older adults, the aging population and the process of aging that has led to the characterization of aging as a problem that needs to be solved and controlled. Common terminology and examples to recast and reframe in a positive manner are provided below.

• For example, identifying someone aged 60 and older as a senior, senior citizen, elderly, aged or aged dependent is stereotypical, negative and discriminatory. The Associated Press and other sources recommend this language be recast and reframed in a positive manner using the terms older adults, older Californians or older Americans.

• Likewise, characterizing the growing population of older adults as a tidal wave, tsunami or similarly catastrophic terms is stereotypical, negative and discriminatory. Instead of using this catastrophic language, this population growth should be recast and reframed in a positive manner, that older adults are living longer, healthier lives and are an important segment of society.

• Words such as struggle, battle, fight and other terms of conflict used to describe aging experiences are stereotypical, negative and discriminatory. Instead of using the language of conflict to describe the aging process, recast and reframe the communications in a positive manner, and refer to aging as a dynamic process that leads to new abilities and knowledge we can share with our communities; with aging grows wisdom that can help others.

Negative or Discriminatory Terms Not to Use

Advanced age

Aged

Aged Dependent

Ancient

Decrepit

Doddering

Dotage

Elderly

Frail

Golden years

Old

Oldster

Senile

Senior

Senior citizen

Silver tsunami, tidal wave

Similarly, communications should be stripped of ableism, which is discrimination or social prejudice against individuals with disabilities.

Ableism is at the root of stereotypical, negative and discriminatory language around individuals with disabilities. The ADA National Network recommends describing individuals with disabilities in a respectful and balanced way, using language that is neutral and objective.

• Emphasize abilities, not limitations. For example, use person who uses a wheelchair instead of wheelchair bound.

• Refer to the person first and the disability second. For example, use person with disabilities instead of disabled person, or person with paraplegia instead of paraplegic person.

• Use neutral language and avoid characterizing people as lacking something. For example, say person who had a stroke instead of stroke victim, and person with a brain injury instead of brain damaged.

• Use language that emphasizes the need for accessibility rather than the presence of a disability. For example, accessible parking instead of handicapped parking. Note: handicapped is an outdated and unacceptable term.

• Don't use condescending euphemisms. Avoid using differently abled and challenged.

• Don't use language that implies negative stereotypes of people with disabilities when talking about people with and without disabilities. For example, use people without disabilities instead of normal, healthy or able-bodied.

• Don't use language that perpetuates negative stereotypes about psychiatric disabilities. For example, use died by suicide instead of committed suicide, and person with a substance use disorder instead of addict.