Asking what age do you consider to be old?

[Teadrinker11]

I was thinking about this and I don't consider 60s that old at all. Even 70s nowadays aren't that old imo. I think a lot of it is down to lifestyle but in general speaking, what age would you consider to be old?

80 to 90 depending on the person

I think what you consider to be old depends on your own age. My parents are now in their 50s but when I was a child, to me, that was grandparent age so I thought it was reallyyyy old and that anyone over 60 was ancient. Now I think someone in their 50s isn't old at all. I would now consider someone in their late 70s+ to be old but it depends on health too. Especially with the life expectancy of the average healthy human

80

My mum is 73 and not old at all, she dresses well, has a modern hairstyle,, is very active, goes out with friends, runs her own business . She also has amazing skin with hardly any wrinkles so doesn’t look old. My dad is 76 and is like an old man. He shuffles around the house all day not really doing anything! He looks old too.

Depends on the person. I think most people are getting a bit creaky by the time they're in their 70s though.

I agree with 78 being the cut-off. I haven't (yet) met a 79 year old or older who I would call middle-aged. Isn't that the category before old, or is it elderly?
I think older people (and I'm in my 50's so well on the way!) kid themselves that yoga and similar will stop them from being old. I think it just makes you a more bendy old person.
Mental decline is not inevitable although seems common.

Late 60s - state pension age.
I don't think it depends on the person at all, I think it depends on their date of birth.
There is a range of how people cope with their ageing, but they are still ageing regardless.

@Teadrinker11

I was thinking about this and I don't consider 60s that old at all. Even 70s nowadays aren't that old imo. I think a lot of it is down to lifestyle but in general speaking, what age would you consider to be old?

Whatever age is five years older than me.

My mother is nearly 92 and doesn't seem old. She walks for miles, lives alone, is fit and active, is always going away to stay with family and friends, is articulate and can hold her own with anyone in conversation. She's on Facebook, happy with internet banking on her iPhone etc. She befriended a former Land Girl (95) during the first lockdown and they now meet every week for coffee and to go to church.

@SoloSunrise

20 years older than me! Always

Me too

It completely depends on health I think. MIL has been old since her early sixties. My parents are mid seventies and very active with no health problems.

Over 75 for most people, but some people seem old as early as their 50s, if there have been health and lifestyle issues especially.

Going off the older people I know, even the fit & active ones, 70 seems to mark an all round general decline mentally & physically. So I'd go with that.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves has it, I think.

At 68 I was swimming 40 lengths and walking to the pool three times a week. Now, at 71, I use a waking stick or a walking frame, a chair lift and a shower chair. I'm there years older in time, but my health had meant I'm now old.

Being old is ok (and certainly better than the alternative), I still have a good quality of life, just not as much quality as I once had.

My aunt died aged 92 and it was only in the last year of her life that she seemed old. She had some difficulties associated with older age but she was completely with it, very interested in everything and frequently out and about - in contrast to a few in their 60's I know that frequently refer to themselves as old age pensioners.

80

Probably from about 70ish onwards - but, as pps have stated, so much of whether you perceive someone is old is down to how individuals present themselves and how fit/healthy they are etc.

80+

My parents are 75yrs and 80yrs. In-laws are 72 and 75yrs. None of them are old! One is still working, one has hobby that takes them all over the country. All of them are still travelling. And both the mothers are more stylish than me!

They have aches and pains and health complaints but they get on with things, they have things they want to do and they're all out living their best life.

I'm not sure what old is now.

Depends completely on the person I think. I have an Aunt just turned 80 who is fit, healthy, dresses stylishly, travels, completely self-sufficient when it comes to a running her home, tech-savvy as much as she needs to be.

Meanwhile my MIL is a full 10 years younger but much frailer. She's had health issues that have contributed but even without that she's not as independent or 'up to date' as my Aunt is.

60

My DGM was still working at 85. My DDad has recently retired in his 60s and I can already see a deterioration in him mentally despite being physically fit and well. I don’t think you can specify an age, so much is influenced by lifestyle and health issues.

@SoloSunrise

20 years older than me! Always

sometimes only ten - but mostly 20!

You are old when you don’t fall down, you have a fall.

My mum is I her early 80s. She drives, maintains a house, has holidays abroad and loves the arts.
She also has a brother in his late 90s, who although has recently started to walk with a zimmer is still as bright as a button.