Researchers say the language we use about aging affects our health outcomes, with decades of evidence showing that more positive age beliefs are linked to better physical, mental, and cognitive function. According to Becca Levy, a professor of public health and psychology at the Yale School of Public Health and author of Breaking the Age Code, people who hold positive beliefs about aging tend to walk faster, heal quicker, take better care of themselves, and show fewer brain biomarkers associated with dementia. Levy’s research has found that older adults with positive beliefs about aging can reverse mild cognitive decline, while those absorbing negative age beliefs are more likely to show worse health outcomes.
Common phrases to reconsider
Experts identify twelve phrases worth retiring from everyday conversation. “I’m too old for that” conflates age with ability—activist Ashton Applewhite suggests replacing vague age references with specific descriptors. Similarly, “I don’t feel old” lacks precision; Applewhite recommends saying instead “I feel energetic” or “I feel optimistic.”
The phrase “senior moment” incorrectly frames forgetfulness as inevitable to aging, when Levy notes that distraction and other factors affect memory at any age. Research shows people with positive age beliefs actually demonstrate better memory performance over time, and certain cognitive skills like metacognition tend to improve in later life.
“I’m 70, but I feel 50” reinforces the idea that younger is better, according to Tracey Gendron, chair of gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Gendron suggests instead owning your actual age: feeling energetic and curious at 70 is not the same as feeling 50—it’s feeling like your authentic 70-year-old self.
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” contradicts neuroscience evidence. Levy explains that older people benefit from the same cognitive strategies as people of all ages and can form new neuronal connections when challenged. Claims that technology is “too advanced” also don’t hold up; many older adults actively use social media and smartphones.
Structural ageism
“It’s all downhill from here” assumes inevitable decline, but a study following older adults for up to 12 years found almost half showed improvement on cognitive function or walking speed. Other problematic phrases include “You look good for your age,” “young lady” (even when well-intentioned), and “Can you believe she’s still working?”—where “still” implies unusual activity for someone of that age. Gendron notes this assumption grows outdated as more older adults need to continue working.
Euphemisms like “I’m not old, I’m just vintage” and judgments about “age-appropriate” behavior also perpetuate ageism. Gendron cautions against the phrase “successful aging,” which by definition suggests others are failing, and ignores that most people will experience some disability with age.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://time.com/article/2026/05/14/ageist-phrases-stop-saying-aging-language/