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?

No I have not gone "way over the top"

There is a world of difference between a poster asking those questions about herself and other people randomly allocating the objective descriptor of "elderly" (whatever that means) to someone.

You don't appear to have given a moment's thought as to why there is any need to designate a person as "elderly".

elderly people not entitled to use priority seating in your opinion?

Priority seating is for those who are less able to stand- of any age.

MargueritaPink

There’s a board on Mumsnet titled ‘elderly parents’ - an entire board dedicated to the subject.
Do you have a problem with that?

I work in a surgery. Officially it's over 75. Personally i'd say 80plus.

Yes actually if it follows the same tone as this thread. The ageism on MN is pretty dreadful - especially on AIBU and Chat. FWR doesn't escape it either.

How can there be an official age for being described as elderly?

Who made that rule?

My parents are in their 80's. DM could pass for 70, DF slightly older, They're fit, healthy and active and on medications. When I think of them I think of them as 'getting older' I can't yet think of them as elderly as, I guess, that makes it more real that none of us are getting any younger

by 76. My parents are 76. 75+ is reasonable.

I think it's a stage rather than an age. My DGM is 94 but I don't think I would have described her as elderly until she had a couple of health problems a couple of years ago and it took her a while to get back on her feet, both literally and figuratively. She's never seen herself as elderly so that probably makes a difference too.

My first reaction was 70, but maybe more late 70s now I've thought a bit more about it.

65ish.

Mid 80s

There’s a board on Mumsnet titled ‘elderly parents’ - an entire board dedicated to the subject.
Do you have a problem with that?

I have just looked for it. I couldn't find it under Health, Parenting , Special Needs or Body and Soul. I see it's in the "Other Stuff" section along with AIBU, Scotsnet, Pedants' Corner, The Royal Family, Geeky Stuff and Cunning Linguists- which in itself says quite a lot.

"Caring for parents" in any of those boards would serve the same purpose.

Age is a state of mind I think. My Mum has aged considerably in the last couple of years, especially in outlook. She will be 79 this year.

I'd say 75+

Now I'm in my 60's it will always be about 20 years older than I am. When my DM was in her 80's she used to refer to some of her friends as "really quite elderly" - definitely didn't apply it to herself!

WELL, if we're talking about 'old'; I'm old at 51. This is obviously truthful. It doesn't mean worn out or frail. It just means old. Old used to be a badge of honour.

You are 51 years old. I'm 59 years old. My son is 29 years old. A friend's baby is 5 weeks old. What does "I'm old" without the numerical qualifier even mean?

"Old" in the sense of having lived a random number of years should be neither a badge of honour nor anything to be ashamed of.

I'm 31 and had all of my grandparents till recently. My grandad died 2017 and was only 71? But he looked elderly. My Nan died December 2018 and was just starting to look elderly aged nearly 90. Hers was purely the downward spiral of Alzheimer's from being diagnosed in her 70s and my grandad had several strokes etc. My grandad still looked way older. Very hard to define elderly.

Another who thinks it isn't a number, but it is when either physical or mentals or sensory impairments start impacting greatly on your life and stopping you from doing things you'd like to be doing.

I know quite a lot of people in their 80s that I wouldn't describe as 'elderly' , yet you come across other folk in their 70s who are.
It seems more and more to not come to people until their 90s.

You are elderly when you are 65 or older.

Elderly just means 'ageing' and 'mature.' or 'old.' Practically everyone across the world classes people over 65 as 'elderly.' For some reason, some people associate the word 'elderly' with being frail and dependent on others and needing care. But it just simply means 'ageing,' 'senior,' and 'mature.' I have no idea why people are so offended by being called elderly. It's not a crime to get old!

It's like someone in their mid 40's getting pissy at being called middle aged because they can outrun their 21 y.o. son, and they go to the gym 3 times a week, and they still work full time. They may be fit and healthy and working (and may only FEEL like they're 29!) but the fact is they are middle aged.

Similarly, you are elderly when you get to 65, like it or not.

My personal view is that 70 is the age when you are elderly. Society says it's 65.

MargueritaPink there are specific issues associated with being elderly - why do you want to pretend it doesn't exist or doesn't matter? Do you fight sexism by pretending women don't exist?

I have a friend who is 87. Last week we went for a walk that left me tired (I am 66). By age she is elderly, but in terms of fitness she is more active than people 20 years younger.

My mum is 70. She is very much an “elderly” 70. She walks and looks about 80. She has lots of health problems and is disabled by them. No one would hesitate to describe her as elderly if they saw her; she looks very old and frail. I think once people get to 65+ their health really starts to show one way or another.

Actual lol at "you're elderly if you need a hearing aid..."

I've needed 2 of them since birth.