Greetings Gurney,
Your "old isn't demeaning, just a description" reminded me of a newspaper cutting I came across in South Carolina in 1991. It described all the terms commonly used for people over 45 (old, elderly, senior citizens etc) as being, in the modern argot, "politically incorrect". It then suggested that the only "acceptable" description for such people was "chronologically gifted".

I rolled around the floor laughing at this (as does everyone I mention it to) but I was suddenly struck by a realisation. In most 'indigenous' societies, the older you are the more respect you're likely to be accorded automatically, a bit different to the situation in 'civilised' societies where you're likely to be treated as 'past your "Use By" date'. Also in many 'indigenous' societies, before colonisation by 'civilised' ones, there was usually no such thing as a natural death. Most misfortune was because someone else's "magic" was superior to that of the person who was suffering. From this you could infer that, if you were old, your magic was seriously powerful. Suddenly the serious veneration and respect for the elderly was easily understandable.

And "chronologically gifted" seemed appropriate. Just think of yourself that way and that all the young turks and tyros are chronologically challenged; but getting there.

Cheers, Rowan