To ask if you consider 60 elderly

[Sevendaysaweek]

I would say maybe early older adulthood.

I'm 60 and work full time in a high stress role.

My mother is 84 and still wears leather trousers! And is fit and active.

My grandma who was late 40s when I was born had a shampoo and set every Tuesday and Friday, never owned trousers except for jodhpurs and did not follow fashion after about 30. At 60 she would have seemed much older but carried on riding and workjng on the farm until 70 and only stopped due to Alzheimer's.

Old. Elderly after 70

Once you’re getting on a bit, ‘elderly’ is always at least ten years older than you are.

It’s one of those signs you see near care homes - bent old dears walking with sticks.

Hope not! I’ll be there in 2 years, and currently work full time, and run regularly as well as many other facets to my life!

I think it is elderly

That scale, my dad has medical issues eg under 5 foot due to spine, and a wealth of other stuff, and his footing isn't great if we take him to the Peaks, he won't be climbing Snowdon, but we did walk down it. He walks 7 plus miles a day and sometimes cycles at home in addition. 75. Where would he be?

I certainly hope not as I am in my 50s! Years ago 60 or 70 would be an age where you would be seen as unusual to live so long .Nowadays many of us are living routinely into our 80s 90s and even beyond .I think of 60 plus as being middle aged .Older people(not Elderly!) are usually 75 plus .It all depends on the person really .

My dad is 90 this month. He worked until he was 70.
He became elderly about 3 years ago, slowing down a bit and forgetting things. He still lives on his own and does all his own cleaning etc.
I’m 63 and I’m not elderly imo.
It’s a mindset in most cases.

Also the Government obv dont think so ,as Retirement Pension is going up and up every year! 67/68 for me .going towards 70 for many younger people .

60 is definitely not elderly.DH turned 60 earlier this year and would go into an apoplectic fit of rage if anyone dared to say he was elderly. He plays competitive tennis against players half his age,golfs,plays badminton over winter( pre Covid)and we go for 5-6 mile walks together 4 or 5 times a week.I would consider over 80 as elderly.

I'm 66, DH 70. Our holiday this year (cancelled of course) was to have been to ride Route 66 (Chicago to Los Angeles) on a Harley Davidson.

@Hailtomyteeth

"Doesn't the WHO count 60 as 'elderly'? I was shocked when I read it."

Globally it is, but in more developed societies it isn't. Having Hepatitis, TB, Flu, fevers, malaria, malnourishment from birth, working manually, no maternity care etc has a very detrimental effect.

My Nan worked on the markets until she was in her late 70's. I went to help her once when I was in my 20's and struggled with the cold, I spent most of the day in sayers. My Nan used to call her ndn 'the old lady', she was ten years younger than my Nan but compared to her, she acted older.

My Mum retired at 65 and became a lollypop lady, until she was 78. She also helped out with my children in her 70's.

I know people in their 60's who still have high energy levels and are vibrant and people who live as though they are elderly. So generally no, but I suppose it depends on the examples you've had set.

Definitely not. It might have been considered elderly in the past, when life expectancy was shorter, but not these days.

Not at all. 80+ is elderly to me.

No

So much depends on fitness, good nutrition, outlook on life, having friends of all ages, hobbies and interests. Genetics plays a big part too. Also menopause has a big effect on energy levels and mood. Those on HRT probably seem much younger. However 60 is certainly not elderly whatever way you look at it. Over 80 is.

Not sure. Perhaps

13-9 teenager
20- 29 young adult
30-39 adult
40-59 middle aged
60-70 old
70+ elderly

No

My partner is 60 soon and no I dont consider him elderly. I know people around the same age that seem 'older' though I still wouldn't put 60 as elderly.

I do think things have changed over the years 36 odd years ago when I met MIL she was 51 and already looked and acted like she was 80

Todays 60 year olds were punks

No because I’m in my fifties! It’s the top end of middle aged I think and I’m definitely planning on having some fun then as my youngest will be an adult. I’ll probably still be working but I want to travel lots, eat out, meet up with friends and generally do a lot more just for me as my world has been family focused for a long time.

Not very elderly, but certainly old. Mind you, I'm 35 and consider myself approaching middle age (based on current average life expectancy, I don't expect to live much longer than another 35 or 40 years).

State pension age is currently 66

I would class elderly as 70+

It depends on your health & wealth

Average age to live in UK, I believe is approx 80. How many of those years are spent in good health ?

Oldest person approx 112

I remember as a teenager our whole family laughing at a newspaper article describing "an elderly couple".... The man was in the article was 59! I think at the time my Ddad was mid 50s and we all thought it was hilarious.

Well if the fraility scale applies after 65 then I guess that's the youngest you can be elderly. For most it's 75-80.

In my mind elderly is sort of 75+ but actually sometimesdependes on the attitude, health and general demeanour of someone.
For example Pru leith is 80, but doesnt seem "elderly" whereas a lot of people that age or maybe pru without make up and a stylist would look or seem a lot older.