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Original poster

To be surprised that 65+ is deemed ‘elderly’

339 replies

Helfs · 09/03/2024 20:03

Off the back of another thread I wanted to see what the actual definition or classification of ‘elderly’ was and I was very surprised to see it defined as 65+

I always thought 80+ as being elderly so this has really surprised me. Especially looking at those I know around the 65-70 mark, they’re fit, healthy, living their best life and do not scream ‘elderly’ if you looked at them.

Personally I’ve always seen it as;
0-1 baby
1-3 toddler
3-13 child
13-19 - teenager
19-25 young adult
25-40 - adult
40-55 - Middle Aged

55-80 - old
80+ - elderly

So do you think this definition is fair on those who are 65, should the definition not evolve as life expectancies rise?

OP posts:
BobbyBiscuits · 09/03/2024 21:00

@Helfs your nan sounds absolutely epic!

I've a 93 yo mate who drives, drinks, socialises miles away from home, jokes about like a 20yo, seems pretty healthy...so elderly seems to indicate illness to some people. Me included.

Original poster
Helfs · 09/03/2024 21:00

pinkhousesarebest · 09/03/2024 20:55

Does it really matter? You are what you are. I work with 30 year olds whose outlook is older than mine ( and I am I suppose elderly ).

It matters enough for you to bother replying Blush

OP posts:
Redglitter · 09/03/2024 20:59

55 to 80 is a huge range to lump together

55 is NOT old though

Talkinpeace · 09/03/2024 20:58

Pension age was set at 65 as that was life expectancy
-- it was assumed that half of all adults would not live long enough to claim a pension.

For those in physical trades - plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers, plasterers, mechanics - they are BROKEN by age 50 and lucky to be healthy beyond "pension age"

Butchyrestingface · 09/03/2024 20:57

'Old' and 'elderly' are the same thing, surely?

To me, older/elderly would be over about 70/72-ish, am thinking just past retirement age (although that will probably be about 92 come my time to retire!). Over about 85 I would consider 'very old/elderly'.

pinkhousesarebest · 09/03/2024 20:55

Does it really matter? You are what you are. I work with 30 year olds whose outlook is older than mine ( and I am I suppose elderly ).

Original poster
Helfs · 09/03/2024 20:54

LITLINAWIS · 09/03/2024 20:45

I agree with your list up to middle aged. I would change the others to

45 -65 middle aged
65 - 80 old
80+ elderly

Although I do think that is very generalised and it’s more dependent on the person and their health.

Tbh I think there probably should be another category for 50-65 as middle aged for most isn’t going to be 50+

OP posts:
Original poster
Helfs · 09/03/2024 20:50

Yawnnn · 09/03/2024 20:33

I wouldnt class a 13 month old as a toddler

I wouldn't say 40 is middle aged

I wouldnt say 55 is old

factually though at 1 a baby becomes a toddler

OP posts:
Original poster
Helfs · 09/03/2024 20:49

LindorDoubleChoc · 09/03/2024 20:29

So this is a TAAT? Surprised HQ have let it run so long.

Nope

As clearly mentioned another thread inspired me to research the issue and I was surprised by what I found

Its not a thread about a thread

By definition of the word ‘about’

OP posts:
ditalini · 09/03/2024 20:48

Helfs · 09/03/2024 20:46

did you forget the comment you originally replied to?

Show quote history

No, but I did misinterpret it - apologies. I thought you were saying 65 wasn't middle aged 😂

Original poster
Helfs · 09/03/2024 20:48

TeaPleaseX · 09/03/2024 20:28

This thread just reminded menAs a kid I remember thinking my nan would drop dead any second after her 60th birthday because she "was old" she's 82 now and I still don't see her as elderly. To me elderly is like bent over, struggling to walk maybe 90? I have no idea.

I’m also surprised to see that old is often seen as ‘older’ than elderly

OP posts:
Original poster
Helfs · 09/03/2024 20:46

ditalini · 09/03/2024 20:27

No, they'd be 4 years past their "middle" age! Am I missing something???

Show quote history

did you forget the comment you originally replied to?

OP posts:
JanewaysBun · 09/03/2024 20:46

The older i get the higher my idea of "elderly" gets lol

LindorDoubleChoc · 09/03/2024 20:46

Ruralrules · 09/03/2024 20:33

I'll be working until I'm at least 67 in order to get the basic state pension so it interesting to think I'd be classed as an elderly person by many but have to work full-time.

Well quite.

LITLINAWIS · 09/03/2024 20:45

I agree with your list up to middle aged. I would change the others to

45 -65 middle aged
65 - 80 old
80+ elderly

Although I do think that is very generalised and it’s more dependent on the person and their health.

LindorDoubleChoc · 09/03/2024 20:44

Myotheripodisayoto · 09/03/2024 20:10

I don't know i think I'd say something changes for a lot of people around 75. That was the age both my father and fil started seeming SO much older and more frail, more health issues, slower recovery times despite both having always been very healthy. They are more tired and cope less well with the children.

In my family I would say for for both my Mum and Dad around 80 was when they both started to be a bit elderly (but not decrepit) coincidentally when they decided not to drive anymore.

My Dad died at 81 of lung cancer and apart from not driving long distances (for fear he would nod off - he'd still drive locally) he wasn't any noticeably different to how he was at 60 or 50. Still full of life, up and ready for the day, he still worked in a part time job as a handyman long into his 70s. The cancer got him and he was still too young for that.

My Mum decided to give up her car at 80 because it was more or less written off in its MOT and she didn't want the expense of replacing it. So, instead, she got the bus into town 3 or 4 times a week and met up with friends for lunch or coffee. She didn't get a walking stick until she was 85 or 86, slowly progressing up to a walking frame at 90. She wasn't on any full time medication at all until into her very late 80s.

Garlicking · 09/03/2024 20:43

ditalini · 09/03/2024 20:10

I always thought elderly was just a naicer way of saying old tbh.

Yes, it is, isn't it?

I'm in my late sixties and I am 'old'. Once you're into your fifties, health issues develop or become more apparent and more urgent. Five of the women from my school year are dead.

Obviously people age at different rates for loads of different reasons; some bounce into their late eighties, most shuffle there, many don't make it that far. 65 seems like a reasonable marker for the beginning of the period when frailty should be expected.

OLD IS NOT AN INSULT!!

It means we're experienced - and haven't died 😁

To be surprised that 65+ is deemed ‘elderly’
Allmarbleslost · 09/03/2024 20:40

I do t think you can generalise when it comes to elderly. In my mind it's more to do with health and mobility than a number. My 73 year old DM ran 4 miles this morning and hasn't been near a GP in years. FIL on the other hand is 70 and housebound.

TeabySea · 09/03/2024 20:40

I keep getting adverts for things for seniors. I'm not yet 60.

Kittenchops · 09/03/2024 20:40

Good grief, I'm nearly 73 and honestly still feel about 30 in my mind.I think a lot of people do so.
My Mum was 91 when she died but always said the same.
I don't feel elderly at all, but I'm fit and active so perhaps just lucky.

lotsofdogshere · 09/03/2024 20:35

ive fractured my shoulder - tripped over one of my dogs leads. It hurts. The nurse at the minor injuries clinic described me in her records as “elderly’. I’m 75 next so I suppose I’ve to accept it as accurate.
but - all the walking, gardening, enjoying life, yoga, Pilates and tai chi seem to be helping the healing

EasterJumperyA · 09/03/2024 20:35

0-1 baby
1-3 toddler
3-4 preschooler
4-18 school age
3-17 - child
18+ adult (19-25 young adult). (13-19 teen)
40-50 - Middle Aged
60+ retirement age/old
68/ 75+ - elderly

From 50 onward health varies a lot from heart attacks etc
Smokers etc can be quite unwell from around then

Ruralrules · 09/03/2024 20:33

I'll be working until I'm at least 67 in order to get the basic state pension so it interesting to think I'd be classed as an elderly person by many but have to work full-time.

elliejjtiny · 09/03/2024 20:33

It depends on the person and their experience.

helpfulperson · 09/03/2024 20:33

have a read of any of the MN threads about saving money in the NHS or euthanasia and most people seem to think that quality life after 70 isn't worth having.