The Challenge of Language: A Shift Away from “Elderly”
Part of why I chose the name TKWhite LTC Law (long-term care law) for my new firm was to encourage us to rethink how we talk about aging. Arizona Elder Law had to go. I must admit, though, this idea wasn’t entirely my own. In the early days of Covid, Arizona’s long-term care organizations were becoming islands unto themselves. To help foster community in a trying time, I started a podcast, Well Beings. My goal was to keep leaders in Arizona’s long-term care industry connected, and it seemed to work. Spending time with the industry’s brightest and most forward-thinking leaders has been a highlight of my career. I learned something new about Arizona skilled nursing facilities in every conversation. Just as important, I got a free education on the innerworkings of Arizona’s long-term care landscape.
I recorded an episode with a friend from Arizona skilled nursing facility, Glencroft Center for Modern Aging, that really stands out. During this conversation, my friend illuminated an uncomfortable truth: the term “elderly” can be alienating. It’s often used in a way that reduces people to their age, stripping away their individuality. On top of being reductive, it is associated with stereotypes that don’t accurately portray the reality of aging. It can sound impersonal, and for many, it suggests images of frailty or dependence.
With Change, Timing Is Everything.
Even as an Arizona Elder Law attorney, the clients I served were so much more than this caricature. They were parents, grandparents, and even active professionals with a keen awareness of their health and finances. They were people who wanted to preserve their dignity and independence while accessing the services they needed. Aging brings with it wisdom, experience, and, in many cases, an opportunity to redefine what it means to grow older. “Elderly” doesn’t capture this picture, and it is time for the Arizona elder law community to make a change.
I could not push for a change in terminology at a firm with a reputation built on practicing Arizona “Elder Law.” However, starting a solo boutique firm gave me an opening to start the process of change. TKWhite LTC Law has refined elder law, and instead offers long-term care law. First, because it’s more specific to the services the firm offers. And, secondly, because it represents a shift in how we should talk about the clients we serve.
The Changing Landscape of Arizona Elder Law
By breaking away from the term “elder law,” I’m hoping to redefine what it means to serve clients in this field. Growing older is not what it used to be, and people deserve better options. They deserve more personalized attention than what they might find with a traditional elder law attorney.
At TKWhite LTC Law, I’m not just providing elder law advice — I’m offering my clients a roadmap to secure their future care. By focusing exclusively on long-term care law, I can dive deep into the specific requirements of ALTCS and offer my clients the most up-to-date, comprehensive advice available. Qualifying for ALTCS with an Arizona Elder Law attorney is one thing but qualifying for ALTCS while also saving assets is something quite different.
One More Thing: What Does the “TK” Stand for in TKWhite LTC Law?
Besides shifting away from Elder Law, the firm’s name has one more noticeable change. I have heard many men assert that his wife is his “number one partner.” Some are kind enough to say that their wives are responsible for their professional success. This all sounds nice, but the accolades seem to end at the dinner table. The men making these pronouncements always seem to be the ones who get published in the paper, win the awards at the banquets, and whose “names are on the door.”
In other words, this type of acknowledgement seems to be little more than lip service. It is patriarchal at best and misogynistic at worse. The T is for Tyler, my first name, and the K is for Kelly, my wife’s first name. When I say she is my number one partner, I mean it in every sense of the word. I must aknowledge the role she played in shifting me away from AZ Elder Law. In terms of this new venture, I couldn’t think of a better way to credit Kelly than to include her in the firm’s very name, TKWhite LTC Law. I couldn’t have started this without her, and I would be remiss to forego this opportunity to acknowledge as much publicly.
A New Era of Aging in Arizona
With the progressive landscape of long-term care in Arizona, it’s my hope that other legal professionals will reconsider how they label their practices. Arizona Elder Law Attorneys can decide for themselves how to acknowledge their partners. However, the antiquated “elder law” terminology is just as antiquated as many of the legal strategies that some who hold this title continue to employ. I don’t think I am alone in believing that the term “elder law” has run its course. LTC law reflects a more accurate, dignified, and personalized approach to serving clients.
Whether you are just beginning to plan for long-term care or facing a complex situation involving an aging loved one, TKWhite LTC Law is here to guide you. TKWhite LTC Law proudly offers legal counsel that protects what matters most —independence, assets, and peace of mind. Importantly, it does so while also honoring our clients for the people they are.
If you or someone you know needs assistance with qualifying for the Arizona Long-Term Care System, please contact us. We always begin with a free pre-screen, so clients are never surprised with an expensive bill.
