- Email: [email protected]
Words matter in aging
Geriatric Nursing xx (2017) 1e2
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Geriatric Nursing journal homepage: www.gnjournal.com
Editorial
Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP
Words matter in aging As the Editor of Geriatric Nursing and an Associate Editor for numerous other geriatric focused journals I have seen older adults referred to in numerous ways including “the elderly”, “elders”, “aged” or “seniors” among others. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society recently decided to adopt the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style (presently in its 10th edition)1 as the guide for how to refer to older adults. Specifically, the AMA style guide provides recommendations with regard to terms that should not be used when describing older adults. These recommendations reinforce my beliefs that words like (the) aged, elder(s), (the) elderly, and seniors should not be used. These words connote discrimination and negative stereotypes of older adults as frail, cognitively impaired, lonely and useless. Propagating these perceptions can undercut research-based recommendations for better serving the needs of older adults within our society. It has been shown that these terms are not well received by the public in general when reading lay literature or educational information about geriatrics.2 Currently there is a group of eight geriatric focused organizations, referred to as Leaders of Aging Organizations, that have
been working together to create a better public understanding of older adults’ needs and contributions to societydand subsequently to improve the lives of all people as they age. The eight members include the AARP, the American Federation for Aging Research, the American Geriatrics Society, the American Society on Aging, the Gerontological Society of America, Grantmakers in Aging, the National Council on Aging and the National Hispanic Council on Aging. It is critically important how the public and how health care providers perceive older adults. In a special report entitled Gauging Aging it was noted that the public’s view of older adults impedes public support for policies and practices that would improve the lives of older individuals within their communities. These beliefs are inconsistent with what is known about aging and propagates myths such as a belief that older adults can’t learn, that loss of control of one’s life is inevitable with aging and that an older person’s health and financial well-being are primarily determined by the choices they made when they were younger. The general public continues to see aging as something that is undesirable, results in an inescapable decline, in isolation, depression, and dependence.
Table 1 Words and phrases to use to reframe aging more positively. Instead of these words and cues:
Try:
“Tidal wave,” “tsunami,” and similarly catastrophic terms for the growing population of older adults “Choice,” “planning,” “control,” and other individual determinants of aging outcomes “Seniors,” “elderly,” “aging dependents,” and similar “other-ing” terms that stoke stereotypes “Struggle,” “battle,” “fight,” and similar conflict-oriented words to describe aging experiences Using the word “ageism” without explanation
Talking affirmatively about changing demographics: “As Americans live longer and healthier lives . ” Emphasizing how to improve social contexts: “Let’s find creative solutions to ensure we can all thrive as we age . ” Using more-neutral (older people, Americans) and inclusive (“we” and “us”) terms The Building Momentum metaphor: “Aging is a dynamic process that leads to new abilities and knowledge we can share with our communities .” Defining ageism: “Ageism is discrimination against older people due to negative and inaccurate stereotypes .” Using concrete examples like intergenerational community centers to illustrate inventive solutions
Making generic appeals to the need to “do something” about aging
0197-4572/$ e see front matter Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.08.008
2
Editorial / Geriatric Nursing xx (2017) 1e2
Reframing aging A major focus of the Leaders of Aging Organizations is to reframe aging and move the public from seeing aging as an inevitable negative experience. The goal of reframing is to help the public understand that aging doesn’t happen to other people it happens to us all and that older age, like any other time in life, involves both challenges and opportunities. One way to do this is through the use of words. There are things we can do through writing and publication to begin to reframe aging from the persistent negative state of decline and despair to one in which aging is portrayed more positively. Table 1 provides some examples of words to use when writing about aging and aging issues. These were taken from the FrameWorks Communications Toolkit.3 FrameWorks works is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Leaders of Aging Organizations toward the goal of reframing of aging. To join in on this important mission we are going to follow the lead of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) and ask all authors of papers submitted to Geriatric Nursing to use the term “older adult” when describing individuals aged 65 and older. Authors will also be asked to provide a specific age range (e.g., “older adults aged 75 to 84”) when describing their research or making recommendations about patient care or the health of the population. Likewise, as required for publications in JAGS, we are advising authors to put the person first.4 This means that we will require authors to avoid describing people as victims or using emotional terms that suggest helplessness (e.g., “afflicted with,” “suffering from,” “stricken with,” “maimed”). In addition, we will ask that authors avoid euphemistic descriptions such as “physically challenged” or “special.” In addition to what is provided in Table 1, there are other Leaders of Aging Organizations-FrameWorks tools available for free at http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/toolkits/aging/ to help reframe aging in your writings and as you present or talk with others about aging and aging issues. The materials are designed to help you build framing concepts and skills rather than simply providing the wording or statements for you to use. The Leaders of Aging Organizations are not alone in the reframing of aging. Other organizations such as the International Council of Active Aging (ICAA) have also been working to help the
public understand that aging need not be considered a negative concept or experience. ICAA connects a community of like-minded organizations and professionals who share the goals of changing society’s perceptions of aging and improving the quality of life for aging Baby Boomers and older adults within the seven dimensions of wellness: emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, environmental. The council supports professionals working in the field of aging with education, information, resources and tools so they can achieve optimal success. The goal of ICAA is not to fight aging but to embrace it and optimize the aging experience for each individual. When it comes to older adults and the public perceptions of aging, language matters as do pictures and presentations of how we visualize aging. While changing beliefs of individuals is a challenge we are working at Geriatric Nursing to make some important next steps. We look forward to working with you to implement some positive language changes within Geriatric Nursing and help the nursing community and others to perceive aging as the wonderful opportunity it can be. References 1. Lindland E, Fond M, Haydon A, et al. Gauging Aging: Mapping the Gaps between Expert and Public Understandings of Aging in America. Washington, DC: FrameWorks Institute [on-line]. Available at: http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/ assets/files/aging_mtg.pdf. Accessed 1 March 2017. 2. American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style Committee. AMA Manual of Style: A Style Guide for Authors and Editors. 10th ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2007. 3. New Editorial & Virtual Journal Issue Commemorate Key Research that Shaped Geriatrics from 2000e2015 [on-line]. Available at: http://www. americangeriatrics.org/media-center/news/new-editorial-virtual-journal-issuecommemorate-key-research-shaped-geriatrics. Accessed 12 May 2017. 4. Gaining Momentum: A FrameWorks Communications Toolkit [on-line]. Available at: http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/toolkits/aging/. Accessed 8 April 2017.
Barbara Resnick, PhD CRNP, FAAN, FAANP School of Nursing University of Maryland 655 West Lombard Street Baltimore, MD 21201, USA E-mail address: [email protected]
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Geriatric Nursing journal homepage: www.gnjournal.com
Editorial
Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP
Words matter in aging As the Editor of Geriatric Nursing and an Associate Editor for numerous other geriatric focused journals I have seen older adults referred to in numerous ways including “the elderly”, “elders”, “aged” or “seniors” among others. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society recently decided to adopt the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style (presently in its 10th edition)1 as the guide for how to refer to older adults. Specifically, the AMA style guide provides recommendations with regard to terms that should not be used when describing older adults. These recommendations reinforce my beliefs that words like (the) aged, elder(s), (the) elderly, and seniors should not be used. These words connote discrimination and negative stereotypes of older adults as frail, cognitively impaired, lonely and useless. Propagating these perceptions can undercut research-based recommendations for better serving the needs of older adults within our society. It has been shown that these terms are not well received by the public in general when reading lay literature or educational information about geriatrics.2 Currently there is a group of eight geriatric focused organizations, referred to as Leaders of Aging Organizations, that have
been working together to create a better public understanding of older adults’ needs and contributions to societydand subsequently to improve the lives of all people as they age. The eight members include the AARP, the American Federation for Aging Research, the American Geriatrics Society, the American Society on Aging, the Gerontological Society of America, Grantmakers in Aging, the National Council on Aging and the National Hispanic Council on Aging. It is critically important how the public and how health care providers perceive older adults. In a special report entitled Gauging Aging it was noted that the public’s view of older adults impedes public support for policies and practices that would improve the lives of older individuals within their communities. These beliefs are inconsistent with what is known about aging and propagates myths such as a belief that older adults can’t learn, that loss of control of one’s life is inevitable with aging and that an older person’s health and financial well-being are primarily determined by the choices they made when they were younger. The general public continues to see aging as something that is undesirable, results in an inescapable decline, in isolation, depression, and dependence.
Table 1 Words and phrases to use to reframe aging more positively. Instead of these words and cues:
Try:
“Tidal wave,” “tsunami,” and similarly catastrophic terms for the growing population of older adults “Choice,” “planning,” “control,” and other individual determinants of aging outcomes “Seniors,” “elderly,” “aging dependents,” and similar “other-ing” terms that stoke stereotypes “Struggle,” “battle,” “fight,” and similar conflict-oriented words to describe aging experiences Using the word “ageism” without explanation
Talking affirmatively about changing demographics: “As Americans live longer and healthier lives . ” Emphasizing how to improve social contexts: “Let’s find creative solutions to ensure we can all thrive as we age . ” Using more-neutral (older people, Americans) and inclusive (“we” and “us”) terms The Building Momentum metaphor: “Aging is a dynamic process that leads to new abilities and knowledge we can share with our communities .” Defining ageism: “Ageism is discrimination against older people due to negative and inaccurate stereotypes .” Using concrete examples like intergenerational community centers to illustrate inventive solutions
Making generic appeals to the need to “do something” about aging
0197-4572/$ e see front matter Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.08.008
2
Editorial / Geriatric Nursing xx (2017) 1e2
Reframing aging A major focus of the Leaders of Aging Organizations is to reframe aging and move the public from seeing aging as an inevitable negative experience. The goal of reframing is to help the public understand that aging doesn’t happen to other people it happens to us all and that older age, like any other time in life, involves both challenges and opportunities. One way to do this is through the use of words. There are things we can do through writing and publication to begin to reframe aging from the persistent negative state of decline and despair to one in which aging is portrayed more positively. Table 1 provides some examples of words to use when writing about aging and aging issues. These were taken from the FrameWorks Communications Toolkit.3 FrameWorks works is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Leaders of Aging Organizations toward the goal of reframing of aging. To join in on this important mission we are going to follow the lead of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) and ask all authors of papers submitted to Geriatric Nursing to use the term “older adult” when describing individuals aged 65 and older. Authors will also be asked to provide a specific age range (e.g., “older adults aged 75 to 84”) when describing their research or making recommendations about patient care or the health of the population. Likewise, as required for publications in JAGS, we are advising authors to put the person first.4 This means that we will require authors to avoid describing people as victims or using emotional terms that suggest helplessness (e.g., “afflicted with,” “suffering from,” “stricken with,” “maimed”). In addition, we will ask that authors avoid euphemistic descriptions such as “physically challenged” or “special.” In addition to what is provided in Table 1, there are other Leaders of Aging Organizations-FrameWorks tools available for free at http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/toolkits/aging/ to help reframe aging in your writings and as you present or talk with others about aging and aging issues. The materials are designed to help you build framing concepts and skills rather than simply providing the wording or statements for you to use. The Leaders of Aging Organizations are not alone in the reframing of aging. Other organizations such as the International Council of Active Aging (ICAA) have also been working to help the
public understand that aging need not be considered a negative concept or experience. ICAA connects a community of like-minded organizations and professionals who share the goals of changing society’s perceptions of aging and improving the quality of life for aging Baby Boomers and older adults within the seven dimensions of wellness: emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, environmental. The council supports professionals working in the field of aging with education, information, resources and tools so they can achieve optimal success. The goal of ICAA is not to fight aging but to embrace it and optimize the aging experience for each individual. When it comes to older adults and the public perceptions of aging, language matters as do pictures and presentations of how we visualize aging. While changing beliefs of individuals is a challenge we are working at Geriatric Nursing to make some important next steps. We look forward to working with you to implement some positive language changes within Geriatric Nursing and help the nursing community and others to perceive aging as the wonderful opportunity it can be. References 1. Lindland E, Fond M, Haydon A, et al. Gauging Aging: Mapping the Gaps between Expert and Public Understandings of Aging in America. Washington, DC: FrameWorks Institute [on-line]. Available at: http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/ assets/files/aging_mtg.pdf. Accessed 1 March 2017. 2. American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style Committee. AMA Manual of Style: A Style Guide for Authors and Editors. 10th ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2007. 3. New Editorial & Virtual Journal Issue Commemorate Key Research that Shaped Geriatrics from 2000e2015 [on-line]. Available at: http://www. americangeriatrics.org/media-center/news/new-editorial-virtual-journal-issuecommemorate-key-research-shaped-geriatrics. Accessed 12 May 2017. 4. Gaining Momentum: A FrameWorks Communications Toolkit [on-line]. Available at: http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/toolkits/aging/. Accessed 8 April 2017.
Barbara Resnick, PhD CRNP, FAAN, FAANP School of Nursing University of Maryland 655 West Lombard Street Baltimore, MD 21201, USA E-mail address: [email protected]