At what age would you describe someone as ‘elderly’?

[surferjet]

Chatting with a friend yesterday & she described her parents as ‘elderly’, even though they’re only early 70’s.
I know 70 isn’t young, but I’d describe anyone over 80 as elderly.
Maybe it’s anyone over 65?

I'd say over 80.

I'd say over 80 too, poss mid 80's at a stretch.

I know a few in this age bracket and some are still going very strong.

I work in elderly care so my opinion is probably skewed. But I'd say mid 80s if not 90s.
But I have residents who are 102 and 103

I don't see it as a number, more a physical thing. Someone is elderly if they need a walker or a hearing aid or can't go shopping on their own for example.

Agree, 75 minimum, probably 80. Hillary Clinton is 71.

It would depend on the persons health but somewhere between 70-85.

I think it probably depends on their health tbh.

You could be elderly at 65 or elderly at 80.

I've met yoga teachers in their 70s and know people who are late fifties who seem to be older than the fit 70 odd year olds.

There's an element of frailty associated with the term I think that goes beyond just 'old'

People age differently so yes, some people are elderly at 70 but others aren't.

My dad was telling me that many car hire companies won't hire to over 75s, so I guess that must be a cut off point for them.

Some people need care at 75 - age related health problems can set in by then, but others might be fit and well and caring for their own 99 year old mum! It depends how they've aged, which is largely genetic.

Depends on the person I suppose, as you can get some really young at heart elderly people. I'd say 70 - mid 70's

Pressed send too soon. My DM is 67 but absolutely not elderly, has more energy than I do tbh. Agree that it depends on the person.

I’d say 80 plus but I’m always surprised at the range of ages that people consider themselves old. I used to work in a customer services role and the amount of 60 year olds who profess their inability to do anything for themselves because they were pensioners/elderly/retired amazed me.

not by age but by 'dodderyness'
for some people this is mid 70, others late 80s

I think it’s more of an attitude thing than an age thing! Some people seem elderly at 57 and others (like the Queen) don’t seem elderly at 90+
I have heard people on the news referred to as “an elderly man” and in the next sentence “the 61 year old ...”

To me elderly suggests a degree of frailty

I’ddescribe my grandmother as elderly, she is 92 and lives independently, but with some help.
My parents are 70, father still works pt. they are fit and active and most definitely are not elderly! I don’t think they even look old!

I think it depends on the person.

My friend’s parents are definitely elderly. My own parents (who are only a year younger) are far from elderly.

I worked in elderly care for years. ‘Elderly’ is not so much about age as it is about frailty. I’ve had a 103 year old patient go home to a house with the support of her 70 something daughter and 50 something granddaughter. I’ve had 63 year old patients with progressive illness not make it.

I think of under 80 as ‘not that old’.

I deem someone to be elderly if their frailty is increasing. My 72 year old father in law who can barely walk and is doddery getting in and out of cars is "elderly. My 91 year old great uncle in Eastern Europe who still works on a farm and rides a motorbike is not.

Late 80s..

But it depends on the person.

Some people are just 'old' in their general manner and attitude. Others have a livelier outlook.

I am 50 so see elderly as a loooong way off

I would say it's related to their physical condition rather than their,age. My mum is 70 but is way fitter than me. She goes rambling on these strenuous walks. No way I could do that.

It's attitude too. You can old at 40 and young at 70

80 plus.
If you're 'doddery' younger than that, you've got health problems not age problems.
If you're 80+ and bright as a button, wrapping your leg round your neck in Yoga, tending your allotment, running a marathon etc. you're fit and agile but still elderly.

Can be an old 40

When they risk a hip fracture from what is to me a normal everyday fall.

also being not quite in this world, slightly away with the fairies etc