Hit Delete

We see “them” a lot. “They” and “their,” too. These pronouns are useful, but not as a way to discuss older adults like some distant, “not-us” others. Often, in fact, “they/them/their” can be deleted.

For example, on an assisted living website, “We create a welcoming environment for them” could simply be, “We create a welcoming environment.”

In an article about recording older relatives’ stories at holiday time, “Giving them the gift of our attention” could just be “Giving the gift ...” 

Why? Because, if we’re not older adults yet, we (hopefully) will be one day.

There isn’t actually a “them.”

Photo by Ujesh Krishnan on Unsplash