What is old?

When I was a teenager, 45 was old. When I was 45, I thought 60 was old. When I was 60, then 80 was old. Now I think that 100 is old. Am I old?

Why is it that when I am driving my car at the speed limit and some young thing passes me up, I imagine they are thinking, ‘what is this old biddy doing driving?’ But when I go into a store, they hold the door for me. Why do I get respect on my feet but not in my car?

Now that I am part of the elder generation I thought about all of names used over the years for older people. At first it was difficult for society to come up with words to describe the older population especially when the number was growing.

Trying hard not to be insulting, such names as senior citizens, young at heart, patriarch and matriarch, declining years, oldsters, mature generation, retirees, adult grownups, vintage, golden years and ancient have been developed.

These words do honor the aging population for the most part and these names do generate some kind of descriptions. But what about the slang or derogatory words that are used?

Older men are often described as curmudgeons, geezers, codgers, old coots, over the hill, duffers, old men, persnickety coffin-dodgers, pops, old goats, old farts, baldy and old timers.

For women the words that come to mind are biddy, grey head, white hair, old maid and old witch, wrinkly, fuddy-duddy, blue hair, old bag, old witch, crone and old bat.

In some cultures older people are revered by tradition. They are thought to be old, wise and experienced, in many ways having lived through the history of the world. Once I asked a lady who was 100 years old what she thought was the most interesting thing in her life. She said she had witnessed the beginning of everything.

What are some ways that older people can be respected? Talk to oldsters. Listen more to what they have to say. Their words come from experience. Ask for their advice. Visit with them. Many sit alone and welcome visitors even if it is just a phone call. Be patience. Let them eat first as a sign of respect. Many need help in getting food.

Ask about the traditions they have grown up with. Ask about their lives. Ask about their golden years. Many fascinating stories will be told and family histories related. Conveying a sense of dignity and respect is sometimes hard for people to come by in their later years. Dignity and respect is a deserving goal for everyone.

 

JoAnn Boepple is with the Edwardsburg Area History Museum.