Today's Women of Age

I recently heard someone refer to a 60-year-old woman as elderly and nearly spit out my coffee. I’m in my 60s and don’t think of myself as elderly. Yes, I am technically a senior citizen, but for me, “elderly” connotes something different altogether–someone more physically fragile, likely white-haired, perhaps a little vague or confused at times, maybe needing special care, and taking a fair number of medications.

I do not consider myself or my friends and family who are in their 60s as elderly. I don’t even think we look super old. Obviously we have wrinkles and crepey skin. Changes to our hair. (Mine has gotten thinner and I’m trying to fix that!) Maybe we carry a few more pounds. A few of us use hearing aids (and honestly, I need them too). But I don’t think we look elderly!

I look back at photos of my grandparents when they were in their 60s and to me they looked older than I do now. My paternal grands showed the signs of a hard farm life and my maternal grandfather looked old when he was in his 30s–portly (with high-waisted pants), dentures and thinning hair.

I suppose some folks in their 60s today do look elderly. This could be from “hard living”, bad genetics, illness and disease, poor diet–any number of reasons really. But beyond those variables, how people act and dress plays a part too.

Personally I avoid gramma-core and cutesy clothing, which can look adorable on younger women, but makes older women look like older women. For the most part I wear what I think is classic or timeless–jeans, simple sweaters or jackets, and little black leather boots.

But actions and attitudes play a big part. I’ve run into older people whose only “enjoyment” in life is complaining and grumbling. A few years back when I was visiting my dad and step-mom, friends of hers dropped by for a visit and this couple spent the whole visit talking about their various physical ailments in great angry detail. It seemed rather sad to me. On the other hand, my aunt Mary who died at 93 remained full of life and good natured to the end, still wearing her signature red lipstick and allowing herself one small glass of wine a night.

All this said, the people I know in their 60s are traveling, still learning, some still working, going to concerts, volunteering, watching grandkids, keeping physically active. We are still interested in life. We may be in our senior years, but “elderly” is not an apt descriptor. Not yet anyway!