Some people think of elder in the context of specific cultural groups such as Native Americans. The term is geographically restrictive, and some older immigrants in the United States do not associate themselves with it. Some object to using American to refer only to persons in the United States, which is only one of several countries in North and South America. Senior citizen generally suggests a younger-aged population, although it is usually applied for all persons over a designated age, such as 50. People typically think of senior discounts and older persons engaged in group recreational activities.
Some people strongly object to the term.
Senior is a more relative term than senior citizen. It refers to persons who have more years of experience, but who are not necessarily older in years, such as seniors in high school or senior bank officers. Golden ager tends to connote a carefree, fun-loving, older person. For some, the term suggests that older people are not to be taken seriously and their contributions to society are frivolous. Others view it as a euphemism that glosses over difficulties that can arise in later life.