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Original poster

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

131 replies

surferjet · 20/01/2019 13:31

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?

OP posts:
museumum · 20/01/2019 13:52

By health and fragility. To me “elderly” means that age has caught up with them and is affecting their lives.
My parents are early 70s but travelling loads volunteering etc. driving. Their eyesight is ok with glasses and hearing and balance / walking totally fine.

Steamfan · 20/01/2019 13:52

I have a friend who has been "elderly" in outlook since she was 20.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 20/01/2019 13:54

I think 80+.

My father in law has a serious illness at the moment and we are fearful for the future. He is 77 and we are feeling that he is too young to die.

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GobblersKnob · 20/01/2019 13:54

I wouldn't use it as a description. I don't see the need.

AuntieStella · 20/01/2019 13:57

At least 80, and quite possibly older.

But I probably wouldn't fund much need to use the term at all - most of life isn't age specific.

If talking about services, then you probably need to specify the exact age needed to access them (as there are so many different ones). If just being social, it's just as rude to bang on about someone's age whatever the age. Making wider assumptions based on age is so wrong it can be criminal.

MargueritaPink · 20/01/2019 13:59

80 plus.
If you're 'doddery' younger than that, you've got health problems not age problems

Actually you have health problems regardless of age.

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.

What purpose does the word "elderly" serve ?

It seems entirely redundant. I can't see any reason for applying it to anyone. Identifying specific health related disabilities and conditions is justified and objective. "Elderly" is subjective , vague and pointless.

MargueritaPink · 20/01/2019 14:00

I agree with Gobblers and AuntStella

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 20/01/2019 14:01

I think 80 plus is elderly although the person themselves probably wouldn't consider themself so if they're able to everything/ almost everything independently.

SilverySurfer · 20/01/2019 14:05

SneakyGremlins
I don't see it as a number, more a physical thing. Someone is elderly if they need a walker or a hearing aid

I use both of those items and have for many years - it means I'm disabled and has nothing to do with being elderly.

I'm in my early 70s and would classify elderly as 80+

SheepyFun · 20/01/2019 14:05

I was intrigued by a pp who thought a hearing aid made someone elderly - I know people in full time work with hearing aids (due to age related loss; they are in their 60's). I wouldn't describe them as elderly; older possibly.

MargueritaPink · 20/01/2019 14:05

I think 80 plus is elderly although the person themselves probably wouldn't consider themself so if they're able to everything/ almost everything independently

You think what exactly? What is "elderly" supposed to signify and what point are you trying to make by determining this person is "elderly"?

MargueritaPink · 20/01/2019 14:08

I don't see it as a number, more a physical thing. Someone is elderly if they need a walker or a hearing aid

What a load of nonsense albeit it aptly demonstrates how useless and meaningless a word "elderly" is.

A person who needs a walking or hearing aid has a disability. Full stop.

Wordthe · 20/01/2019 14:10

I feel that walking is a key thing
If something happens that means you can no longer walk freely and easily then there can be an accelerated decline into frailty
I think some sort of perfect storm effect whereby the combination of muscle wastage lack of confidence, reduced appetite etc, they all compound to really do a number on you

SauvignonBlanche · 20/01/2019 14:12

It’s not a term I’d use but I’d probably think of someone as being an older person once over 85.

greenelephantscarf · 20/01/2019 14:14

when fil was in hospital age 75 he had 'geriatric' in bold letters on the board by his bed.

Whothere · 20/01/2019 14:15
Jsmith99 · 20/01/2019 14:17

It depends entirely on the person, their attitudes and their health. I have known people in their mid 60s who were physically knackered and spent their lives watching daytime TV and pottering around their gardens and I have known people in their mid 80s who lead very full and active lives including cycling, golf, voluntary work, travel etc etc.

SneakyGremlins · 20/01/2019 14:19

@MargueritaPink

I'm just saying in my opinion someone 75/80ish who needs help getting around and is more frail is elderly in my eyes.

MargueritaPink · 20/01/2019 14:24

SneakyGremlins

@MargueritaPink

I'm just saying in my opinion someone 75/80ish who needs help getting around and is more frail is elderly in my eyes

That isn't what you said. What you said was Someone is elderly if they need a walker or a hearing aid - by that reckoning I know a 5 year old who was "elderly"

It is a completely pointless word- if you mean "frail" "has a disability" "needs assistance" say so.

SneakyGremlins · 20/01/2019 14:25

Right, and perhaps I should have clarified, but I was talking about people of a similar age to the rest of the posters, obviously just having a hearing aid or walker doesn't make you elderly.

LadAlive · 20/01/2019 14:27

@MargueritaPink

Elderly signifies old age.
Now 'Mature' I would say, is a subjective word.
I know plenty of immature elderly people but I don't know any mature, elderly, young people.

Perfectly1mperfect · 20/01/2019 14:30

My inlaws are mid 70's and I think they feel better than we do most days. 😂 Retirement has suited them very well.

Elderly, maybe 85+. I'm not sure my inlaws will appreciate being called elderly ever though.

HildaZelda · 20/01/2019 14:31

I think it really depends on the person. MIL is 77 and as long as I've known her (nearly 20 years) she's always been 'old'. She pulls her 'little old lady' act on DH constantly and like an idiot, he always falls for it Hmm
DH's aunt on the other hand is 75 and completely different. Always out and about, very independent and never expects anyone to run around after her.

Perfectly1mperfect · 20/01/2019 14:35

I think it really depends on the person. MIL is 77 and as long as I've known her (nearly 20 years) she's always been 'old'. She pulls her 'little old lady' act on DH constantly and like an idiot, he always falls for it hmm

I had a relative like this turning the little old lady act on when it worked to her advantage. She ended up quite lonely because she wasn't pleasant to be around.

LordPickle · 20/01/2019 14:36

I think it's very much dependent on the person. Sadly I would describe my MIL as elderly and she's only in her early 60's! She seems a lot older than my own parents and they're in their late 60's and definitely not elderly.