To be surprised that 65+ is deemed ‘elderly’

[Helfs]

Off the back of another thread I wanted to see what the actual definition or classification of ‘elderly’ was and I was very surprised to see it defined as 65+

I always thought 80+ as being elderly so this has really surprised me. Especially looking at those I know around the 65-70 mark, they’re fit, healthy, living their best life and do not scream ‘elderly’ if you looked at them.

Personally I’ve always seen it as;
0-1 baby
1-3 toddler
3-13 child
13-19 - teenager
19-25 young adult
25-40 - adult
40-55 - Middle Aged

55-80 - old
80+ - elderly

So do you think this definition is fair on those who are 65, should the definition not evolve as life expectancies rise?

At 55 you can start to access certain types of housing & accommodation

Over 60s discounts

The amount of family etc I know not reaching 65 (another just died last month age 59/60) means yeah..........I think elderly

@Chillin2Day True for 55, but in practice usually people that age with a disability. A friend moved into an over 55s bungalow in a housing association at 57, but she had a stroke.

Agreed

Of course they exist, but they exist in any decade you care to name. Many of the people I know in their 70s are either working, or doing a lot of volunteering. I can't think of a single frail person in their 70s that I know.

Recently had vehicle trouble. Phoned the RAC. Was stuck near Glenshee and told that it would take 8 hrs for someone to get to me.

Call handler asked whether I had any medical issues.

Moi: "No, apart from being 63 and nervous."

"Right. So that's medical issues - 'elderly and nervous'."

55 seems to young to be old.
Admittedly my MiIL seemed old at 50, but I think she is the exception

I'm inclined to agree with you - I work in a hospital and the system automatically orders lying and standing blood pressures ("elderly" patients are more prone to a drop when they stand, so can be a common cause of falls) on anyone aged 65 and over.

Butt often these patients are still very independent, getting around just fine, NOT falling, yet we can get in trouble if we haven't done it, even if the person didn't come in with a fall and neither myself nor the doctors think one is needed.

I'm in my 50s and I'd say that's old.

I’ve just been reading about an elderly actor filming his latest film near me - 61-year-old Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible I think it was.

It is partly luck and health, but also mindset.

I know a 92 year old who is redecorating his bedroom. He wants to get it done before he gets old apparently. He runs every morning too.

Based on many of these comments I’ve come to realise old is usually a good 10-15 years older than you currently are

That last bit reminded me of my great gran, currently in a care home and seemingly the only non ‘old person’ in there

I think I see it as:

0-1 baby
1-3 toddler
3-13 child
13-19 - teenager
19-25 young adult
25-65 - adult (proper grown up!)
65- 80 - old
80+ - elderly

Are you priming us for a rise in the pension age? 71 came as a shock so you're softening the blow for the real age!

I don’t see how anyone can be called “old” when they can’t claim any age-related benefits (bus pass, free prescriptions, pension etc)

Those who define 50+ as “old” - I suspect all of you are under 40.

At 55 you can access 25% of your pension, I don't understand how anyone can be old enough to access their pension and not admit they're old? People denying that they are in fact old just adds to societal views that being old is a bad thing.

I think appearance, lifestyle and stage of life can distort the perspective of age.

My mum retired at 60, was fairly unfit, had a grandchild and was the oldest generation of the family. She seemed older than DH at 60 who had 2 teens at home, still working, playing sport and had parents still alive. But reality is they were both still 60.

In the 1980s formal dress fashion, and bouffant hairstyles made it difficult to gauge womens age, or made them seem older. Some of Princess Diana's outfits seemed pretty "old" when she was barely out of her teens! Sophie Raworthfor example is about the age that Maggie Thatcher was when she became prime minister, but imo seems younger merely from hairstyle and fashion

65 elderly?
Someone should tell the government quick. They clearly don't see 65 as elderly as they expect you to continue working until 67 and beyond.
65 isn't elderly as far as I'm concerned, 75 maybe.

47% of over 65's are disabled.

The white collar bias of MN is to the fore on this thread.

I'm 68 and certainly don't consider myself old.

Judging by people I know of my age I think a lot has to do with your mental age. Some of my friends are much 'older' than me, not chronologically but certainly with their attitude to most things in life. This also seems to affect the way they are perceived.

Saying 55 is old is ridiculous 😂

Well it’s not young! 😂 you can be old for many years. It doesn’t mean you’re about to die. What do you think menopause means?

You’ll probably feel the same at 80. Does that mean 80 is not old?