People are using many terms to call older people or the elderly. In addition, they are referring to them as senior citizens and such. However, some are extra sensitive in what people call them. With that, it is essential to understand some terminologies involving the elderly. 

In addition, people aged 65 and older until 74 are considered early elderly in chronological order. At the same time, people aged 75 above are categorized as late elderly. At this age, it is not surprising they need some daily living aids to make their lives feel better. 

Read on to discover the terms to describe adult people.  

Old Age Terminologies

It is essential to use the best words or terms to call older people as it is a sign of respecting them, and it also prevents them from feeling bothered by how people view them in their physical appearances. Hence, here are the most common terms to describe older people:  

  • Seniors

In general, the “senior” is a title for older people that translates to a positive connotation and respect. Most often, they have already reached great expertise and knowledge because of their deep and vast experiences. In addition, they are the reliable people that have the most unbiased and wisest opinions. However, not all older people want to be called seniors since they still don’t categorize themselves. Thus, it is better to be careful with actions and words towards older people.    

  • Elderly

Older people that have already passed the middle-aged of life are considered elderly. In addition, some older people might not want to be called since it is often termed to old-aged people who are fragile and with poor health and strength that need walking aids and other incontinence products. Thus, if people use the word “elderly,” they need to add extra precaution and a tone of respect. 

  • Old

The term old may come in three different meanings. The first one refers to the chronological age. An individual with an age of 60 years old and above is considered an older person. They are the ones needing special care, attention, and love.

Meanwhile, the prospective age “old” refers to a person’s life expectancy. For instance, Japan has the highest life expectancy at 80, meaning people cannot be called “old” until they reach 70. In contrast, Sierra Leone has a life expectancy of 70. They cannot be considered until 50. We can also say someone is old at the age of 18 to make his decision and control his life.

Lastly, old can mean characteristic aging. A person displays a change in physical characteristics as their age increases. The most common signs of old age can be seen through their wrinkling skin, white hairs, and declining posture.  

Geriatric 

We often hear senior care as a term referring to older adults needing special care. It can be nursing care or hospice care. Also, the term geriatric is commonly used by professionals in the healthcare industry. Sometimes, it implies that the person is exhausted, senile, or has a short life expectancy.

There is no specific age that specifies an individual needing geriatric care. The patient was taken under the care of a geriatrician who often has Dementia, delirium, falls, and coronary heart disease, which is commonly seen in the elderly. Geriatric patients are also those with mobility problems needing walking aids and 24/7 attention. 

Helpful tips to overcome bathing challenges

Bathing issues are common to older adults. Many factors affect them, such as weakening senses, stress, fear, and a lot more. As family caregivers, we want the best for our loved ones, and in this section, we are giving some tips on how to handle this kind of situation. 

  • Ensure safety 

Safety should be the priority, especially with seniors. Before anything else, make sure that the bathroom is safe for them. You can install grab bars and bathtub mats to avoid falls and accidents. It would help if you also improved lightings to give a warm ambiance in the bathroom. Besides, not only seniors would benefit from these safety precautions. The whole family will. 

  • Follow their daily routines.

Older people tend to follow their daily routine as much as possible. We commonly see those attending parties with their friends because they don’t want to feel old and weak. When it comes to hygiene, we should follow their daily routine as much as possible so that they won’t feel manipulated. If your loved one showers in the morning, you should bring up the topic and remind them to shower. 

  • Keep the bathroom nice and warm. 

Who wouldn’t want a nice and warm bathroom? To encourage the elders to shower more, you should let them see that the bathroom is safe, excellent, and will not cause any harm to them. 

  • Ensure all supplies are ready before showering. 

Buy toiletries that your elderly will love. You can also recommend an excellent skincare product for them to use. Does she like a bubble bath or not, things that would make them excited about taking a bath. Bottom line, you can encourage open communication with your seniors so that they know how good your intention was. 

  • Prepare matching outfits, or let them choose.

At night, you can both prepare their outfits for the next day. Tell them how nice they would look in that outfit to be happy and encouraged to take a shower. You can ask them what they want, recommend accessories, and perfumes for them to choose from. 

  • Cover mirrors to avoid self-consciousness. 

Most seniors became self-conscious about their physical appearance. You can cover mirrors so they won’t be able to see their reflection while bathing. For people with Dementia, seeing their reflection in the mirror scares them because they can’t recognize themselves and think there’s a stranger with them. To avoid these situations, we can cover the mirrors at home or in the facility. 

  • Give minimal supervision and lots of privacy. 

As much as possible, we should give our loved ones minimal supervision in the bathroom. We can step out of the bathroom if possible and give help only when they ask you to. You can close the doors and windows to let them feel safe and respected. 

Final Thoughts

Indeed, we can never specify what age the elderly is. Someone might be 60 but still feels young at heart. Someone could be 40 but stacked up with some serious illness that makes them need senior care. You may notice numerous phrases are used to characterize an older adult. Some of them have a negative tone to them, while others are more neutral. The best we can do is be extra careful in using these words as people can be sensitive and offended.