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About Scripps

Founded at Miami University in 1922, Scripps Gerontology Center is a highly respected source of top-quality research and innovative, proven programs to meet the unique needs of our aging society. As an Ohio Center of Excellence with 19 staff and more than 20 affiliated faculty and research fellows, we conduct research that makes a positive difference for our aging population. We also offer unique opportunities for Miami University students in any program to connect their academic and personal interests to the field of aging.

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Our mission is to do work that makes a positive difference in the lives of aging individuals, their families and communities, and to meet the needs of aging societies.

We accomplish this mission through excellence in Research, Education and Service.

2023 Scripps Impact Report

We feature some of our many achievements in 2023. We highlight new program expansion, high-quality publications, awards, and emerging leaders in the field of gerontology. As always, please reach out to me with any comments, questions, or suggestions. View the digital report

Is it Ageist?

Ageism is discrimination against people due to negative and inaccurate stereotypes based on their actual age or perceived age. Do not use the term ageism without definition. Discrimination based on age (young or old) is ageism. Because terms like seniors, elderly, aging dependents, and similar "other-ing" terms connote a stereotype, avoid using them. Terms such as older adults, older patients, or the older population are preferred. In the same way, using pejorative terms for younger people is also a part of age discrimination.

Referencing Age

When referencing a person's age, be specific and avoid additional adjectives like "young" (e.g., Carol is 67 years young). If referencing a population, include specific identifiers: age range, average age, or median age, if possible.
On second reference, or when referring to groups generally, adults are persons aged 18 years and older and should be referred to as men or women. Persons 18 to 24 years of age may also be referred to as young adults. Persons 65-years-old and older may also be referred to as older people or older adults.

When writing about a group of people who meet a specific age criterion (e.g., such as eligibility for a program or a research study sample), use "persons [XX] years and older."

• John Smith, 63, discussed the benefits of exercise for older Americans.
• The research study included people aged 75 to 84.
• Miami researchers recruited adults aged 18 to 24 to participate in the upcoming trials.

To capture an age-based demographic, try using words like “older people” or “older adults.” Use titles that reflect life roles, like grandparent, community member, teacher, or volunteer, rather than age demographic.

Also, avoid pronatalist language that assumes all older persons are grandparents.

Terminology

Avoid
Seniors, elderly, aging dependents, our senior citizens, and similar "other-ing" terms that stoke stereotypes.
Preferred
Neutral (older people, Americans) and inclusive ("we" and "us") terms.

Avoid
Adjectives that are typically used for older people that can be marginalizing, albeit well-intentioned: spry, spitfire, fiery, cute, elfin. If it's not an adjective that you would apply to a younger group or person, it probably isn't appropriate.

Avoid
Struggle, battle, fight, and similar conflict-oriented words to describe aging experiences.
Preferred
The Building Momentum metaphor: "Aging is a dynamic process that leads to new abilities and knowledge we can share with our communities..."

Avoid
Making generic appeals to the need to "do something" about aging.
Preferred
Concrete examples, like intergenerational community centers, to illustrate inventive responses that address the needs of older people.

Avoid
Tidal wave, tsunami, and similarly catastrophic terms for the growing population of older people.
Preferred
Talking affirmatively about changing demographics: "As Americans live longer and healthier lives..."

Further clichés to avoid Leading a story with demographic shifts. Terms like a silver tsunami, gray wave, or rapidly increasing population suggest that we will be overwhelmed with older people.

Talking about aging as a civil rights issue. It suggests that when comparing ageism to racism or sexism, one might conclude that ageism is not so bad. Additionally, thinking of ageism just as a civil rights issue narrows its definition to situations that can only be addressed by litigation.

Being overly positive. Having examples of extraordinary older adults makes a point that aging does not necessarily mean overall simultaneous decline. Positive storytelling is important but balance is equally important.

Ageist Images

Ageism is everywhere. Ageism impacts everyone. Below are some examples of how ageism impacts everyone, regardless of age.

man posing in background with the overlayed words "Dear Millennials, Welcome to life. That participation trophy you would get as a kid, it doesn't work here."


view of woman driving with the words overlayed "My turn is coming up in a mile. Better slow down so I don't miss it."

Image of a Twitter post with the words "People born in 1994 now identifyfing as Gen Z because Millennials being treated like old people."

Image of a Time Magazine cover featuring the topic "The Me Me Me Generation: Millenials are lazy, entitled narcissists who still live with their parents. Why they'll save us all By Joel Stein"

a small mint tin labeled with the words: Memory Mints for Senior Moments Extra Strong"

We have a history of visionary leadership

Portrait of E.W. Scripps

E.W. Scripps, who sought to “bring to the level of common understanding the whole range of human knowledge," founded the Scripps Foundation for Research in Population Problems at Miami University in 1922. For more than forty years, we remained in the forefront of the scientific study of population and fertility. In 1972, with an increasing expertise in aging related research, we became the Scripps Gerontology Center. We were among the first multi-disciplinary centers on aging funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging. In 2011, we were named an Ohio Center of Excellence by the Ohio Board of Regents in recognition of our work. With our centennial on the horizon, our accomplishments are the foundation for the boundless opportunities that lie ahead.