Saturday, November 15, 2003

The Way We Do It

We use words to deliver a message. Using the wrong word can distort the meaning of the message or deceive the listener. The right work will portray your intent accurately.

Resource Evaluation Leaders Inc. struggled to find the appropriate word to refer to people who because of advancing age cannot do some of the things they used to, but who still have many assets with which to build an improved lifestyle. The way we determined which word to use was by first asking for suggestions and then researching how each word was used in other contexts. Then we chose a word that would put a face on the name.

The first word that came to mind was seniors. When people turn 65, they are entitled to certain senior citizen benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare and discounts at restaurants and theaters.

The term retired persons was suggested. Many people look to change their lifestyle after retirement. In November, 1998 the American Association of Retired Persons changed their name to the acronym AARP to include anyone over 50 years old regardless of their needs.

We looked up Geriatric, Aged and Older Adults.  These phrases are gaining popularity among the Medical and Government agencies to infer services for people with limited abilities in need of social services.

Then we remembered the word Elder. Elder is from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning more experienced. It is used to translate a number of the original words of the scriptures, such as the Hebrew word (pronounced) gaw-dole, meaning greater. Elder was also a political office held by responsible individuals. The appointed elders of the Christian Church served in a more religious than political way, "let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. (1 Timothy 5:17-18 RSV)

After much consideration, RELI felt that the word Elder will show our respect for those with greater experience and honor the priorities of those who can teach us. We may be mistaken, but this is the way we do it.

 

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