To not see 70 as elderly

[Ibeliveinyou]

I don’t know if if it’s because my parents are now that age but I just don’t see a 70 as old.

There seems to be an obsession lately of not wanting to accept older ages. Of course 70 is elderly. The same way someone in their 40’s is not “young”. I don’t get why people find that so hard to take. I’m in my early 50s and so I don’t see it as some kind of insult if someone calls me middle aged, it’s what I am. I might feel younger in my mind but my age is what it is. No matter how fit I am or how I feel or look. They’re just descriptive words that people seem to take as insults.

I have a theory that you always see yourself as a youngish (in my head I'm the same as I was at 31 for example) and you see your parents as middle aged whatever age you and they actually are. I always saw my grandparents as old in their mid 70s even though they were just as fit, active and healthy as my parents are now at the same age, yet I don't see my parents as old.

Depends on outlook. My aunt was like an old person as soon as she got married. My mum has a much sprightlier outlook, appearance and attitude.

@borntobequiet

I’m 67 and definitely elderly. I’d start elderly as a description - that’s all it is, a description of age - at about 60 and old at about 75. I work nearly full time and am active and interested in many things, but definitely notice declining body strength and the aches and pains that go with ageing. It’s just a fact of life.

I agree. These days we can look younger with make up, hair colour and nice clothes but I certainly don't have the physical strength or energy I had when I was younger. Although I have quite a young outlook on life, I describe myself as elderly at 68.

Yes it’s elderly - doesn’t mean they aren’t living a good life though

I’d consider anything over 60 elderly

@Meruem

There seems to be an obsession lately of not wanting to accept older ages. Of course 70 is elderly. The same way someone in their 40’s is not “young”. I don’t get why people find that so hard to take. I’m in my early 50s and so I don’t see it as some kind of insult if someone calls me middle aged, it’s what I am. I might feel younger in my mind but my age is what it is. No matter how fit I am or how I feel or look. They’re just descriptive words that people seem to take as insults.

Some women get huffy when they're described as having a 'geriatric' pregnancy. I don't get it, that's what it is medically. You are a geriatric mother in clinical terms once you're over a certain age.

I got told off at my GP last year because they said they were only doing face to face appointments for older adults. I am 40, and assumed they meant the age group 40-70, because before that = young adults and after that elderly.

Apparently "older adults" is the new elderly.

85 is the new 70.

Apparently "older adults" is the new elderly.

Oh I read this somewhere probably on the bumf NHS Scotland keep sending out. It was older adult and vulnerable. Which seem to be new buzzwords.

According to Wikipedia, you can now separate it into
Young old - 60s, or 65-74
Middle old - 70s, or 75-84
Old old - 80+ or 85+

If that helps! Dictionary just says it means old or showing signs of ageing, which everyone will at 70!

The Victor Meldrew point is incredible. Especially thinking of those recent Liz Hurley photos aged 55, hardly any different to his 'one foot in the grave' age..

I don’t either - my parents who are early 70s don’t seem elderly.

However they are more vulnerable to COVID so right they are getting the jab. And generally they will be more vulnerable medically I guess.

I would say 80+ is elderly, but that is in a family were everyone lives in to their 90's so, 70 is actually pretty young. My older brothers are in their 70's and I just see them as my brothers, they are actually pretty much the same as they were when they were in their 50's, look the same, act the same, do the same things. Just have more time to enjoy themselves, lucky buggers.

@Allthegoodonesareta

I’d consider anything over 60 elderly

Elderly is merely a description of age not the physical state. If you are 70 you are elderly. You may or may not be frail. Your may or may not be lively and active. But 70 is elderly because of your age. In.very few years I will be 70. Hopefully I will still be riding horses and hiking for miles but I will still be elderly.

My Dad was fit as a flea at 70 and died before he was 78 of multiple strokes. There is actual age for old it's very individual

Isn't it all relative to your own age - my parents are 90 & 88 so I consider that 'elderly' although my very fit and feisty mother would disagree - so does that mean I am also elderly at nearly 63 - I did joke to my mother that we could soon go out together using our bus passes - and I could invite both parents to my retirement party if it ever happens which surely must be unusual!

I think 70 really the start of old age. Some people will have ten or twenty more good years after 70, but a lot won’t. My mum was an extremely fit, active and youthful 70, but by 75 she started massively going downhill, and at 79 she is really frail. It’s all a matter of luck and genes. I get frustrated by people that think all of us are going to be perfectly healthy until we’re 90, it’s unrealistic!

My friend the same age as me was most indignant when I said at 40 we are middle aged. She said she'd never be middle aged!
I think it is just a description of your age, not your state of mind or anything.
40 is middle aged, 70 is elderly.

I think elderly is probably 80 plus and implies a degree of frailty usually. I think you can become elderly in you seventies if you are unwell or have been.

My 83 year old godmother did meals on wheels for the 'old people' til the week before she died!

It's some genetics and also attitude... Epigenetics is a fascinating area

I remember being at a conference and they said the difference in life expectancy between Kensington & Chelsea and Tower Hamlets... Think it was over 10 years! Also not only did the die much younger but had multiple chronic diseases

@Meruem

There seems to be an obsession lately of not wanting to accept older ages. Of course 70 is elderly. The same way someone in their 40’s is not “young”. I don’t get why people find that so hard to take. I’m in my early 50s and so I don’t see it as some kind of insult if someone calls me middle aged, it’s what I am. I might feel younger in my mind but my age is what it is. No matter how fit I am or how I feel or look. They’re just descriptive words that people seem to take as insults.

Yeah, because ageism doesn't exist. Suuure

My parents are in their 70's are not elderly in away having dementia or using rollator. My grandfather is 95 and still lives independently. He is elderly with several heart attacks and strokes behind him. His hearing is bad as well.

I am 43 and don’t think I’m middle aged. I would say 50 plus.

It's just a description of age. I don't get why it has to be so loaded. My in laws get arsey with me for describing myself as middle aged because it makes them feel old . I can't help it if I'm not 21 anymore.