At what age are you considered elderly

[Jenasaurus]

I was watching an advert for a bra. It said it was designed for seniors I am 58. Am I the target market? Just suddenly dawned on me that I'm no longer middle age as online it says 65 is considered elderly. Apparently in the 1950s 55 was thought of as old age. I know everyone I'd different. I have a friend that wanted to move into a retirement village at 47. I guess it doesn't matter as long as I'm healthy. what age do you think as elderly

This.

@Lighttodark being an older person isn't the same as being elderly

My grandmother lived to be over 100 and was pretty active. I remember her, well into her 90’s, talking condescendingly about ‘old dears’ and not meaning herself. So maybe elderly is only other people - depending on your state of mind.

My mum in her 60's seems like an old lady to me but my in laws who are in their 80,s seem almost middle aged 🤷🏼‍♀️ (they live very different lifestyles with different outlooks on the world). I guess it really is down to the individual person. I'm in my 40's and feel like I'm in my 20's mentally 😂 (until I look in the mirror and see the effect to 2 SN and non sleeping kids has had on me!! 🙈)

You're missing the government's point. They raise the retirement age because the longer people work, the more NI and tax they pay, the shorter their expectancy and the less pension they will ever access.

I can see why you think that.
some definitions use the terms interchangeably / within the same context eg gov reports, research

Mum is 89 and was at A&E hospital today for the first time ever and disgusted she was put in an elderly day ward. She's still only young. Dad is 91 and admits he's getting on a bit. Based on them, elderly must be 100+ 😅. Being elderly is more a state of mind than anything else imo

I know people who are volunteering in their mid 80's, organising, cooking and serving meals to OAPs 20 yrs younger!. All state of mind and how your body is faring. My parents, early 80's, mother more physically restricted than dad, he is out and about everyday doing jobs outside (farm), she is mentally much younger and enjoys mixing with younger age groups, refuses to go to groups aimed at the elderly. I will be 60 next year but don't feel any different to mid thirties really, started running again and doing much the same as my kids in their twenties.

My aunt was still doing her own decorating (up a ladder) at 80 and spent her time shopping and walking dogs for what she called 'the elderly people' in her street....many of whom were years younger than her. My neighbour is 86, works as a gardener and plays squash every week.

Don’t be ridiculous. I’m nearly 60, likely to still be in full time work for another decade and have an 18 year old.

Plus, I do my housework to Ibiza club anthems.

I’m not elderly.

I don't think it's strictly an age thing. I think it's an age and a health thing. At 68 I was just fine, 4 years later, I'm frail. It's a cumulative thing, age and health.

plenty of people, who've not experienced ill health, my age are just fine, getting about, living a normal life. Others, like me, are not.

it's the luck of the draw.

On Mumsnet? 35/40

I don't think there's a specific age tbh. I tend to think of "elderly" in terms of an older person with numerous age related health issues that impact quality of life. My aunt was elderly in her early 70s and died mid 70s. My in laws are that age now and far from elderly.

My friend is 74 and is still working full time in a high powered job. He moans about how old he is. But I see him as only late 50's. Another friend is 81 but he's seemed elderly as long as I've known him.

From what I've seen in my life, getting to that age at all is lucky

It's a state of mind and body rather than age, I reckon. Once you start to feel elderly, that's it.

My nans 97 and she doesn’t think she’s elderly. Refuses a walker thing as they’re for old people. Elderly is state of mind!

My ndn still works looking after some “old dears” (her words.) They are early 90s, she’s 86.
The kids at school regularly remind me that I’m old (64).

I came on to say 80 but I see most people agee

I am 79 not looking forward to being ''elderly''
I live alone now, but manage without help.I have a respiratory condition but know how to manage it.
It depends n the person.I have friends my age group who like me need no help all them like me widowed and live alone. I also know people younger than me who unfortunately have conditions which limit their mobility but that can happen at any age.
When I was a child 60 was considered elderly.My grandmother died at 76, suffered from arthritis or many years and was housebound for many years, her mother died at 84 having declared herself an old lady at 70, and by the time she was my age spent her time sitting by the fire knitting and being waited on by her family. My other grandmother died at 70, after living an independent life for years till her chronic bronchitis, caused by her heavy smoking got the better of her.
In my mind I will never be elderly, no matter what my family think of me.

@Whalewatchers so true. My body has got me through cancer three times. It's got a fucking right to go to pieces 😁

Over 65 or 70 I guess

if think of childhood as up to 15, youth as 15-25, late youth 25-35, early MA 35-45, MMA 45-55, late middle age 55-65, early old age 65-75, old age 75-85, and if you get past that then congrats

If you fell over would your family/friends describe it as "she fell over" or "she had a fall" if the latter they think your old 😂

When I worked for the local authority, as soon as you hit 50 you were officially an 'older person'!

I am 63 and have progressive glaucoma. The last doctor I saw at the outpatients eye clinic told me “You’re only young”. Bless her, she looked to be a good 25 years younger than me. But apparently I am young to be this far advanced. So it is all a matter of perspective.