Words convey and influence thoughts, feelings, and attitudes.
Although terms for older adults are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not synonymous, but convey significantly different meanings. Just as we are sensitive to word choices around other diversity issues, we need to be aware of connotations of terms used for older adults. The terms elderly and aged are often associated with social service and health programs, hospitals and nursing homes. They can elicit feelings of sympathy, and in many cases are used almost synonymously with sickly . Using the words as nouns, as in the elderly or the aged , is grammatically incorrect, and tends to imply a nameless, faceless, stereotyped population of poor, frail older people.