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?

• do exercise now, 15 years on, and try not to pull myself up but use my leg muscles but it's a struggle. Also the loss of your waist/middle under a large belly - most people my age have a belly.*

These things are not a given tough.
I will be 60 in a few weeks time, can easily stand up with no hands from the floor- multiple times in repetition. I don't have a belly.
Granted I do exercise daily, but for me that is part of maintaining good mental health as well as physical health.

I think there are different aspects to ageing.

Looking old and looking healthy are not always the same thing.

I don't mind looking my age, but I do take care of my health- maintining good muscle tone, flexibility I eat well, sleep lots, my skin may have a few wrinkles but it is hydrated and clear.

I had an old great aunt who lived until she was 101. She was a huge advocate of self care- even in her 90s she looked stunning, clear skin, sparkling eyes, straight back, glossy white hair. She did daily exercise including press ups and running up and down the stairs several times.
You could tell she was old, but she looked stunning.

I’d always thought that men age better than women too but as I age myself I realise that’s really only a handful of men - those who already are attractive, keep their hair and keep in shape.

Anecdotally, women that I know seem to be much better at responding to ageing by focusing on their health and well-being and other aspects of their appearance. Aside from looks, women tend to live longer so I guess this rings true for non-superficial ageing too.

I would also challenge the idea of beauty= youth.

We live in a youth obsessed society, things are changing, but until recently women presenters and actresses were considered past their sell by date after a certain age.
Not so for men. Male media figures develop gravitas, and although become bald gret and jowly still considered worthy of gracing our screens.
A harder challenge for women.

@Polyanthus2

I noticed late 50s the 'struggle' to get up from the floor wihtout holding on to help pull yourself up. Your jts and ligaments defiinitely go through some sort of change. I do exercise now, 15 years on, and try not to pull myself up but use my leg muscles but it's a struggle. Also the loss of your waist/middle under a large belly - most people my age have a belly. Memory too, everyone I know humms and 'whatsit called' because they can't recall a name or word. Being a weightlifter or long distance runner in old age - would definitely need A LOt of daily work. I admire them but have more enjoyable things to do.

Large belly / weak muscles and memory problems are all linked. The moment Dad started exercising and lost his belly he started feeling better mentally which also improved his memory.

@MissDynamite23

I’d always thought that men age better than women too but as I age myself I realise that’s really only a handful of men - those who already are attractive, keep their hair and keep in shape.

Anecdotally, women that I know seem to be much better at responding to ageing by focusing on their health and well-being and other aspects of their appearance. Aside from looks, women tend to live longer so I guess this rings true for non-superficial ageing too.

What's the obsession with men keeping their hair. I'm bald but I razor it off, it's still there, just greying hair looks a bit shabby. There are many men who look silly attempting a youthful mane.

A good gym body will work wonders for self-esteem, health, and with their partners or whilst dating. The problem is the drinking culture, it fucks the skin and makes men fat, which ages them.
They're basically drinking estrogen.

Anyone over 30.

Agree with others that it's a state of mind mainly for the individual but, if I has to put a physical number on it I'd say over 60. That's the point you're 75% of the way through your life (on average) so seems like an appropriate point to say someone is officially old.

I think anyone who is 50% older than me is old. When I was 10, 15 seemed old. When I was 18, 27 seemed old. When I was 40, 60 seemed old. I don't feel "old" yet (mentally I mean, physically I'm a wreck).

In my 66th year, I'd say we are ageing; DM87 is old, and DMIL93 is aged. Old age seems to arrive quite suddenly. My mum was very active and healthy but her confidence is declining as she feels less bouncy. She won't travel far on her own now. I think fear of COVID has accelerated her decline too, even though she hasn't had it.

Dad is 74, a healthy weight, and works (almost) as hard as ever out on the farm so I don't see him as old. He is starting to get a few age related health issues now though so I guess in the next few years things will be different. Right now I think 80+ as I'm sure even the healthiest of individuals start experiencing some level of decline in their eighties.

My mum is 90 this year and it's only the past few years that I would consider she's really got 'old'. My brother and sister are in their 60s and that isn't old at all.

31 my age I feel very old.

What's the obsession with men keeping their hair.

Men with a full head of hair look younger. My dad had thick silver hair until he died - at 99. He looked far younger than bald men 20 years younger than him.

Ca6444443
31 my age I feel very old.

What's causing this?
31 is very young- you probably have another 60 years to live.

I'd say minimum is retirement age plus a few years (so 70ish)

Also, my age plus 20!!

And target that people can suddenly go from seeming perfectly ordinary, to actually quite frail in a very short amount of time. DMum is simiiar age to the Queen, and is only in these last couple of years that she's become frail and in need of considerable assistance

@Ca6444443

31 my age I feel very old.

I'm 31, you must not be very fulfilled as I certainly don't feel old! It's the prime of life.

75+ is old to me, although it depends on how people act sometimes. My grandfather is nearly 80 and doesn't seem old because he's independent and active.

I'm 31, you must not be very fulfilled as I certainly don't feel old! It's the prime of life.

Maybe the PP has other issues- health or MH, or just feeling overwhelmed.
I agree 31 is very young to be feeling old.
I am 59 and don't feel old at all.

Some posts here completely missing the point and only serve to tell us how amazing their 80/90 year old relatives are.

When I worked in care homes we had residents the same age as my Mum, who was working as a lollipop lady, after retirement and doing childcare for me. Many were old, while others weren't, they just needed practical help.
I remember watching a lot of the interviews with doctors during Covid. They were saying that everyone in their 70's aren't equal. Some will be as physically healthy and healthier than people in their 50's. But at 80+ there's vulnerability and frailty in everyone. Not only can you decline and die through shock, medication/vaccines don't work at well.
For people who are well and lifestyle plays a big part, I'd say that there's a change around 78-80. But of course some people are unlucky with their health and they couldn't have changed how they age. Lack of mobility and being independent, is very aging.

Usually a good 10 years older than I am at the time.
On a bad day, the age I am at that time!

Ca6444443 If it helps I felt older in my 30s than my 40s. I had 3 small children and was incredibly sleep deprived and always "on call" without a second to myself (job was also a "people" job so not a break from being constantly available to others) and I self medicated and kept myself awake by eating sugar - obviously I knew that made things worse but I was too exhausted to find the energy to solve things 😳 I felt 90.

Ten years later I was in a much better place physically and mentally, largely because I was getting 7 hours sleep a night and the children were old enough not to be constantly climbing on me or waiting for me outside the door of the toilet... in fact i could (can) even go for a long walk/ hike and leave them at home when feeling stressed out instead of feeling the only thing I have for myself is 30 seconds alone in the kitchen mainlining chocolate...

Don't let people make you feel bad for feeling old if life's a bit intense atm - it won't always be this way. Psychologically ageing doesn't actually have to be linear and you can feel younger even though you're actually older, when life gets calmer.

I'm 41 and definitely feel middle aged. I would consider 60 to be on the track towards being older.

Around 80 I think but it very much depends in what state the mind and body are in. I have seen people who act and appear old in their late fifties and others of 70 plus with a spring in their step and fun in their eyes.