Anyone seniors?
on 7/28/18 4:09 pm
I will turn 60 three days before the second anniversary of my surgery. Does that make me a senior? I know I feel like a geezer.
Much as I hate that label, technically I am one? I had surgery at 61 (I'm 63 now).
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
For the purpose of all of my studies (Gerontology major here), we define older adults as being 65+. And... I've learned that "older adult" is the "preferred" label. I think that's based on an AARP study that asked those over 65 what their preference was?
Out of curiosity, what is your preferred label? I've asked people at my mom's CCRC and it seems that there are definitely preferences based on age. People I've asked who are in the upper 70s and older tend to prefer senior, people who are younger seem to prefer older adult. And, of course, people at all ages in the 65+ range make jokes about "how about calling us 'golden oldies' or 'old farts.'" ;)
For classes, of course, I stick to the "older adult" term, because that's accepted academically.
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
LOL!
After I wrote the post you're replying to, I've been trying to think of situations where I use a label for age groups outside of academics, and I'm failing.
The people I take fitness classes with are, well, "the people I take fitness classes with." I will, if relevant, explain that they're "mostly retired women" because that explains why they're taking weird midmorning classes and why I take fitness classes where I do. Because my fitness class gym caters to the retired population who have time to take midmorning classes! (Other places in the are tend to only offer classes before 6am or after 6pm, which does not work for my life.)
The people who live at my mom's CCRC are, by requirement, 55+, but I tend to refer to them as "so and so, who lives at my mom's CCRC..."
Since I'm a student in the aging field, I will also refer to "my target demographic." :P Such as, "Yeah, I'm thinking about asking so and so if I can interview them for class, because I'm pretty sure she's a part of my target demographic."
I've had more than one classmate refer to older adults as "elderlies." As in, "Elderlies don't use Facebook" and it drives me crazy. Or "The elderlies."
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
Yes, I kind of don't like having a label. I never liked to use Yuppies or Millennials. If I have to be labeled "Older Adult" works better. I live near a large Indian community and they use "Elder" as a respectful term - I think the age is a little bit flexible (it may be based on experience?).
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish