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Original poster

What age is old and elderly?

140 replies

peasandpetals · 29/08/2023 14:43

Just curious.
What age do you class as old?
As elderly?
Are they the same thing?
I ask as I'm unable to gauge what I am.
I'd love to know your age and your assessment.
Just a bit of fun.

OP posts:
continentallentil · 29/08/2023 16:11

10 years older than you I think

But I guess
0-15 - childhood
15-25 - youth
25 - 35 - late youth
35 - 45 - early mid life
45-55 - mid mid life
55-65 - late mid life
65-75 - early old age
75-85 - old age
85 + - late old age / yay for you

BeepBoopBop · 29/08/2023 16:15

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I am so sorry for your loss, it's just awful losing your mum 💔

Herecomesthemoon · 29/08/2023 16:16

I think old is over state pension age, 66/67, though most people are still fit and active at this age. Elderly is when people begin to get frail and possibly around 80 on average, though some are frail at 75 with others not until 90. I think the age people become frail elderly has risen in recent years.
Physiologically our bodily functions do change in older people and, however fit people are, there are changes such as poorer eye sight and weaker muscles. You might not feel old but the fact is that at a certain age, you actually are old.

RojoCarlottaValdez · 29/08/2023 16:17

Hbh17 · 29/08/2023 15:36

I'm 58 and very happy to describe myself as old, because that is what I am. I have already lived the vast majority of my life, and could kick the bucket at any time.
But "elderly" implies frailty and losing one's faculties (rightly or wrongly), so I don't think that applies to me yet.

I love your post and agree with this. I am almost 60 and getting to be old. I'm not young or middle-aged: I'm in the last third of life. My mother is 84 and she is also "old", but she is not at all frail elderly, and will regularly walk ten miles a day, We are too old people together. Interesting to note that my local council, local GP surgery and Age UK in my area considers over 50 as "old" and requiring particular services!

Applesaarenttheonlyfruit · 29/08/2023 16:18

My DM is 80 and out all the time with her crazy mates. One of them is 84 and still skies black runs! They walk, cycle, and do yoga. My mum is stylish and great fun. She’s really not old.

My FIL is also 80, he away in Switzerland with his friends, just been hiking up a mountain today. He has a personal trainer 3 times a week and is fit as anything.

Money helps to stay young, as does exercise, motivation, and good health.

VeronicaSawyer89 · 29/08/2023 16:20

I'd say I was on the cusp of middle-aged at 45. I think elderly is around 80-85 onwards. It can depend on the person, some 80 year olds are completely healthy and full of life whilst others are practically on death's door.

My nan died when she was 69 and she was very much what you'd consider elderly then. Now my parents are 66 and they're both very fit and healthy and absolutely nowhere near elderly.

CurlewKate · 29/08/2023 16:25

On Mumsnet, old is about 55-60.

Sandysandwich · 29/08/2023 16:27

I like the one where its in 5ths roughly,
0-20- child
20-40- younger adult
40-60- middle adult
60-80- older adult
80-100+ elderly

But that's no guarantee of ability or how a person feels, old is always going to be subjective and depends what your comparison is.

Radiatorvalves · 29/08/2023 16:28

My kids think I’m an old relic (52) and when I was younger I thought anyone over 40 was pretty ancient. A lot is in the mind. I’m definitely middle aged. Old? Maybe 70, 75, 80? Depends on your approach. Elderly usually refers to an older person with age related issues. MIL (90) can hardly walk and is definitely elderly. I’m mindful not to cause unnecessary offence.

LondonQueen · 29/08/2023 16:30

Middle aged is mid 40s and above, old/elderly to me is 75 and above. You can be elderly without being in poor health.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 29/08/2023 16:32

80

ArseHoleBoss · 29/08/2023 16:32

I think it depends on the individual. People can make themselves old by their actions and mindset, eg. a 65-year old could think themselves old and frail, whereas another 65-year old could be out sky diving. I'd like to think I'll be the latter.

To answer the question, I think 80 or even 85+ is probably old and elderly.

bryceQ · 29/08/2023 16:33

Elderly for me is 80+

Original poster
peasandpetals · 29/08/2023 16:33

BackToOklahoma · 29/08/2023 15:47

Why do you feel the need to put yourself in a category OP? The thread seems strange timing with so much talk, rightfully, about ageism on mumsnet. 🤔

I don't feel the need at all to be a category.
I'm 64 and have been called everything from still young to elderly in the past few months. It's been interesting to see people's pov and seems like it a state of mind that shows on your face and body as well as your attitude.
As for recent ageist posts I have no idea what you are talking about.
Thanks for your thoughts everyone, it's an interesting debate and I hope it continues kindly. (Didn't see the deleted posts, was having a Nana nap, due to partying too much over the weekend!)
X

OP posts:
StopThatBloodyNoise · 29/08/2023 16:35

My GP said that 65 is the beginning of being elderly, in medical terms. I'm 64 so not quite there yet. I reckon 80 is the start of being old

DollyDuck22 · 29/08/2023 16:37

85 +

KeepSmiling89 · 29/08/2023 16:37

As others have said, I feel 'old' and 'elderly' are quite subjective.
Middle aged I'd say would be around mid-late 40s
Elderly, I'd say 70 and above.

"Old" is a tough one though. I often find myself saying "Wow, I feel old" at the fact that my 'baby cousins' are now in their mid-20s, one's a civil engineer and the other's a teacher. I still remember them being babies and toddlers!

My mum will be 68 this year and, this probably does seem 'old' but she's got so much energy and such an active social life, she's just like a lady of leisure enjoying her retirement...and being a granny to my 21 month old DD!

I'm 34 and still feel quite young...I sometimes forget that I'm not in my early-mid 20s anymore!

ScottishIceCream · 29/08/2023 16:39

My schoolfriend's mum was born a few weeks after mine, but even in her fifties she was old, and by the time she was in her late sixties she was elderly.

My mum on the other hand wasn't old until she was approaching 70, and inly became elderly at about 88.

It's not just a state of mind, it's also about your genes, your health, and your general physical state.

Ascendant15 · 29/08/2023 16:48

It depends on what day of the week it is. Some mornings I am "old", some I might be "elderly".....

PrinnyPree · 29/08/2023 16:49

My Dad was definitely elderley in his mid 70s especially after he had to give up his car (unfortunately he has now passed, he also gave up a bit in his mid 60s after having a stroke which he mostly recovered from, but really went down hill with his MH and became a bit of a hermit which effected his physical fitness too) my Mum is pushing 79 and runs after my 3 year old so I wouldn't put her anywhere near the elderley bracket.

I don't think there's a set age bracket and my parents experiences have taught me when I get older to get out and about and try to keep fit.

JeanSheila · 29/08/2023 16:53

ArcticLingered · 29/08/2023 15:44

I wasn't

Show quote history

Your response to me was unkind and you absolutely meant it

Cynicaltheorist · 29/08/2023 16:53

I was involved in an accident in which I was knocked over by someone else while playing tennis and ended up in A&E because of concerns about concussion. I got the full 'How many falls have you had in the last six months, Barbara?' set of questions. I volunteered to stand on one leg for two minutes if that would set their minds at rest (I've done yoga and pilates for the last 15 years). I know they've got to do it but hell, when HCPs are in their 30s it can leave you wondering if they think anyone over 60 is old.

Katmai · 29/08/2023 16:55

I take great satisfaction in the knowledge that all these people who are so contemptuous towards people of more senior years will one day become the very thing they so despise. 😎✌

RuthW · 29/08/2023 17:06

Old and elderly are the same. Over 75 is what we class them at work (NHS) but more like 80 really nowdays

illiterato · 29/08/2023 17:09

I don’t really get this “you’re not old until you’re frail and have no life” thing going on on this thread.

You’re old because a certain number of years have passed since you were born.

You can still be fit and live a full life- I met a 73 year old last week who was just off to do UTMB, but he’s still old.

It’s kind of ageist to attribute good health, fitness and vitality only to youth.