Our world population is aging. WKU is committed to respecting the rights of all persons, regardless of age.
As a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network , WKU sponsors the Society for Lifelong Learning at WKU and the Center for Applied Science and Health in Aging.
WKU Libraries offers books, journals, and databases to locate information in aging studies. Please use this guide as a starting place. For further assistance. please Ask Us.
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, seventh edition, offers guidelines for bias-free language for aging research.
- Focus on relevant characteristics. Age interacts with other characteristics of the individual.
- Acknowledge relevant differences that do exist. Differences also exist among older adults. Be specific about comparisons, and prefer older adults to othering terms such as seniors and elderly, even if individuals use these terms themselves. Specific age ranges are preferred to over 55.
- Acknowledge people's humanity. Dementia due to Alzheimer's disease is preferable to senile.
