Here's when to use the term "elderly" to describe an older adult — and when to skip it, according to pros.
For some older adults, being called elderly might feel off-putting. Perhaps it conjures memories of a wispy great-grandmother or great-grandfather who looked like a puff of wind could knock them over. Then again, for some, “elderly” is linked to “elder,” signifying wisdom and authority.
Indeed, elderly is a subjective term — positive for some, negative for others, and neutral for many.
In many cultures, elderly is used positively. In the United States, it is accepted and not seen as ageist if used for people in their mid-80s and older, says Dr. June McKoy, a geriatrician and professor at Northwestern Medicine’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She adds that in the U.S., the term “denotes frailty.”
What is “elderly”?
So, at what age is someone considered elderly? And do medical professionals use this term in their practices? Below, McKoy and Blair Gingerich, a clinical pharmacist in Granger, Indiana, weigh in.
Describing an older adult as “elderly” should be based on physical health and medications rather than chronological age. — A 2014 RESEARCH REVIEW, PHARMACY PRACTICE
There is no standard definition for the term elderly. According to the United States Social Security Administration, anyone age 65 or older is elderly. However, the same criteria don’t apply in every medical setting.
In McKoy’s practice, elderly “refers to people in their mid-80s.” But when it comes to dispensing meds, Gingerich says anyone older than 65 is considered elderly. She says pharmacists must categorize this age group because patients in their late 60s and older tend to be more vulnerable to medication side effects such as dry mouth, constipation and orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up).
So, does elderly refer to age 65, 85 or somewhere in between? The lack of a standardized answer isn’t isolated to the United States. A 2014 research review found limited guidance on what defines “elderly” in Australian clinical settings. The researcher concluded that describing an older adult as “elderly” should be based on physical health and medications rather than chronological age. In other words, maybe “elderly” is a feeling, not a number.
Do medical professionals use the term “elderly”?
Absolutely! McKoy regularly uses the term to describe patients in their mid-80s (or older) who are also physically frail. But she warns against calling someone elderly simply based on their appearance or because they’re old enough to retire, benefit from social security or switch to Medicare.
Again, Gingerich refers to patients as elderly to highlight the need for age-based drug monitoring. “Medications that cause cognitive impairment, like sleep aids, can be more dangerous for elderly people,” she explains. If the drug’s side effects increase the risk of a fall, she considers whether it might be necessary to adjust the dosage or switch to a different medication that offers the same benefits with less risk.
“When we do research that lumps a range of older adults together — 60s to 100, for example — we use the term ‘older adults.'” — DR. JUNE MCKOY, A GERIATRICIAN
Other terms for aging adults
Fortunately, there’s more than one way to describe aging loved ones. Regardless of how you feel about the word “elderly,” you can safely use these other terms:
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Walking, even if it's at a moderate pace, for about 30 to 60 minutes every day can help you start to lose belly fat, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
Use an app or food diary to keep track of the calories you consume every day; then draw up and exercise and diet plan to burn those calories
To lose fat, you need to burn more calories than you eat, which creates a calorie deficit. Use an app or food diary to keep track of the calories you consume every day. Then draw up and exercise and diet plan to burn mire calories than you eat.
Walking, even if it’s at a moderate pace, for about 30 to 60 minutes every day can help you start to lose belly fat, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
Count calorie burn
When you’re walking for fat loss, the amount you burn depends on your intensity and weight. Walking at 4 miles (6.44 km) per hour, one can expect to burn between 175 and 189 calories in a half hour, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
Be consistent
Researchers of a September 2014 study from the Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry tracked walking habits across a 12-week period and found that women who walked three times per week (for 50 to 70 minutes at a time) lost weight.
Slowly increase intensity
You can increase your distance, speed or incline to boost your calorie burn. Increase your distance slowly if you are new to walking. Start with 5 or 10 minutes each day, then add a few minutes every week.
Vary your walks
Very your walks, switching between longer distances and shorter interval sessions. This will retain your interest and train both your aerobic and anaerobic metabolism for weight loss.
Eat healthy
Don’t forget to remember to eat healthy. A nutritious diet will help calorie-burning.
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