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Original poster

In your opinion, how old is 'elderly'?

218 replies

CustardySergeant · 10/04/2020 21:43

I'm watching BBC news and their report from an ICU in which "most patients are elderly". I think there is quite a difference of opinion on this on MN no doubt related to the age of the poster. I'm just curious and also wonder whether calling someone elderly necessarily has other connotations than simple age.

OP posts:
Lillylouise89 · 10/04/2020 22:48

I've always regarded elderly as between middle-aged and old and I do think that at 66 I am elderly
Oh no elderly is definitely a polite way of saying old. You’re absolutely not elderly and no way does it come straight after middle age! Congratulations OP, you are not elderly! Flowers

Mascotte · 10/04/2020 22:50

70

Ninkanink · 10/04/2020 22:50

Late 70s+ but not all people in their late 70s. It’s a way of being rather than an age, imo.

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GrumpyHoonMain · 10/04/2020 22:52

Considering the government has asked the over 70s to stay at home, they have defined the elderly as over 70 (which is what the BBC would have used). I personally think it should be defined as anyone over 85.

BeetrootRocks · 10/04/2020 22:52

80+ for me

Agree- op, my understanding of elderly is it is older than old! Elderly is, like, proper old. Sorry for teen speak can't think how else to put it!

tillytown · 10/04/2020 22:53

65

Anamechangewpukddoyougood · 10/04/2020 22:56

It does depend on the person. My mum for example is 72 and still works almost full time (well she did - until now). So to me she, and the community she served I doubt she’s seen as elderly (tbf she also looks at least a decade younger as well - I wish I could say the same).

Namechangervaver · 10/04/2020 22:56

75

AgeLikeWine · 10/04/2020 22:57

It depends on the person. Many people in their 70s are very fit and active, and working full time. One of them is president of the United States. Others are definitely elderly, in physical & mental decline and in poor health.

80+ is definitely elderly.

june2007 · 10/04/2020 22:58

I don,t think it,s an age, I think it,s a state of health. Some are ellderly at 70 other seem spirtly at 90.

Sounsociable · 10/04/2020 23:00

In my mind elderly would be prob 75 +.
My Ddad was v active and looked much younger than his age for years. He asked for some top man clothes for his 75th birthday and he didnt look ridiculous in them (not skinny jeans!) He was v unwell in his late 70s and it was a shock to suddenly realise that yes, he was elderly.

Lillylouise89 · 10/04/2020 23:04

I know a lady who is 90-odd and she is insisting on doing food shopping for her ‘old and vulnerable neighbours’...who are 70 years old 😂😂 it’s a state of mind

Sounsociable · 10/04/2020 23:06

I know a lady who is 90-odd and she is insisting on doing food shopping for her ‘old and vulnerable neighbours’...who are 70 years oldit’s a state of mind
😂😂

User202004 · 10/04/2020 23:08

In my family 70+, sadly no one has made it healthily into their 80s, hope my parents change that!

SwerfandTurf · 10/04/2020 23:08
june2007 · 10/04/2020 23:10

I worked in a care home and some of my colleagues wer older then some clients so def not an age thing.

Everythingsr0sie · 10/04/2020 23:11

I’d say 80ish. A few years ago I’d have said 70, but my parents are 72 and 73 and are so fit, well, and youthful I just cannot think of them as that way!

Rebs1994 · 10/04/2020 23:11

Nowadays I'd say 80+ considering health...

MrsCastiel · 10/04/2020 23:14

I used to work in a care home so my view may be skewed. I also have very active grandparents who are 87 and 90 and seem more active than 41 year old me!

So, to me, elderly is 80+

70 is very much the new 60.

Chimny · 10/04/2020 23:16

Crickey, a lot of these ages I’d consider to be well into the elderly stage. I’d say 55+.

MrsCastiel · 10/04/2020 23:16

I know a lady who is 90-odd and she is insisting on doing food shopping for her ‘old and vulnerable neighbours’...who are 70 years old

This is my grandparents. My Aunt is in her 60s and very unwell, lots of things wrong with her. They look after her. I dread to think what will happen if she passes before them, which is very likely. I think they'd both just stop existing.

managedmis · 10/04/2020 23:17

Surely it's more a state of your health?

A sprigtly 80 year could be less elderly than a unhealthy 70 year old, for example

MrsCastiel · 10/04/2020 23:20

When I worked at a care home my favourite resident (oh gosh I adored her so much) was 94 but just didn't look it. If asked to guess her age - which she often asked of you as her dementia focused on age and men - you'd have said late 70s.

Her husband had been a Spitfire pilot in the war. She was in the WRAF and because I had a working history with aircraft we would talk for ages about aircraft engineers and pilots. Some days she loved them, other days she would be so over men. It was hilarious. If a male resident tried to initiate a conversation she'd look at me, roll her eyes and say "I'm just so bloody sick of the lot of them (men), I've had enough of wiping their arses, I'm not their bloody mother" 😂

She was amazing. I adored her.

MrsCollinssettled · 10/04/2020 23:24

80+

Chimny you really think elderly is 55+ when you don't qualify for a state pension until you're 67? 🤔

MrsCastiel · 10/04/2020 23:25

Lol @ 55+

You're in for a rude awakening 😂