In your opinion, how old is 'elderly'?

[CustardySergeant]

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.

I absolutely believe the state has the elderly working too long before collecting their pensions, yes.

I hope that it is 80+

I'm more interested in OPs unusual understanding of the word elderly!

I remember my great auntie not wanting to go on a cruise "because they were full of old people". She was well into her 80s at the time.

A story in the local paper began with "An elderly woman..." and turned out to be about someone aged 55.

I'd say over 70, realistically, but I have friends who wear the "elderly" badge with ironic pride as they're fit and active. But they're under no illusions that they're just middle aged.

I’m not sure why I’m in for a rude awakening?! I maintain 55+, and continue to be gobsmacked at how old some of these answers are. I can only assume as most people don’t like to think they’re or their loved ones are getting on a bit

But if you think 70 is elderly, then 69 is surely the upper push of being middle aged? In which case, how many 138 year olds have you heard of?

My DH is (just) over 55. I dont think he'll take too kindly to being referred to as elderly (although our DC think we're both ancient - I'm early 40s)

I work in a care home and our eldest resident is 101 and is still gardening....so how do you recognise an elderly person?!

Elderly at 55 🤣🤣

70 plus

70+ I’d say

@sounsociable I think that’s just it, most people struggle with coming to terms that they’re getting older, so people’s classifications change to suit them. Interesting how the mind works.

FIL is in supported housing, for the elderly, it’s 55+, assuming that’s standard across the country. I don’t know how people can genuinely believe you’re not elderly until 70-80!

I’m nowhere near and I still think it’s ridiculous to call 55 elderly. It’s not even retirement age!

I see ‘middle age’ as being 40-50, but then elderly doesn’t start until 80+ for me. Not sure what the interim 30 years is. Grown up? Mature?

I think it's more about health and frailty than actual age. My dad is in his 70s and up to a few months ago he was doing a lot of volunteering (he retired a long time ago due to ill health) as a driver for the local hospice. Then he developed a heart condition and kept having funny turns which meant he kept "having a fall". In the 6 months he was waiting for tests he seemed to suddenly become elderly. He couldn't walk into town, he would get mum to drive (this was unheard of), he was cold all the time and got out of breath just walking around the house. He was an old man, and it was horrible. As soon as he started treatment at the right dosage he's now back to being an older man but he's not elderly any more, if that makes sense. We don't need to look after him, he can do it for himself. It feels very unfair that he's had 6 months of being ill and infirm, and within weeks of him feeling better he's now on lockdown and has to stay indoors for 12 weeks (because of his age and other health conditions as well, this virus would quite probably kill him).

So usually for me elderly would be 80+, but slightly younger people can be elderly if they are also having health problems.

I see ‘middle age’ as being 40-50, but then elderly doesn’t start until 80+ for me. Not sure what the interim 30 years is. Grown up? Mature?

Middle Age is the half point of a human lifespan. As people have lived to 117-120, it’s not inconceivable to call 55-60 middle aged. Most people can expect to live to 89 nowadays (it’s the modal age of death in the UK) so I think it’s about right.

80 +

80+ - my MIL is 76 and can run rings round some people who are younger

I think elderly is a polite word for old.

For me, it generally starts at around 75+, but some might seem elderly in their early 70s. I definitely don't think people are elderly in their sixties.

I noticed both of my parents suddenly seeming older after the age of 75.

My mother is 80 and says things like “ I’m driving Dorothy to book club on Saturday, she is far too old to drive” Dorothy is 82.

I sadly do think 80 is old or elderly.

70+

It's a hard call, both sets of my grandparents are the same age but I would only call one set elderly and not the other, they're both in their 80s.
One set are retired and have been for 20+ years.
The other are still (when it's open) running a pub.

Elderly just means "old". I don't understand why some people think it's some alternative way of saying frail/ unhealthy.

You can be fit and healthy at 70 but still be elderly, just like you can be frail and unhealthy at 8 and still be a child.

Elderly would be 60+ for me

Young adult 20ish
Middle age 40ish
Elderly 60ish