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?

I agree with your list

The problem with mumnet is that they think "being old" or "being called old" is an insult. It's not.

Really lovely post, thank you x

Your definition of "elderly" tends to get pushed back as you draw closer to it. Its always going to be subjective. Mumsnet is pretty ageist. You will be considered a dotard once you are over 60 on here.

I’m 63. I’m late middle aged.

So you expect to live to 120?

I’m not old is what I’m saying.

When I was 40 I went to the doctor about joint pain, he was in his possible late 20s and did a lot of ‘at your age’, when I said it another time to my doctor (late 40s), he laughed and said that was ridiculous 😅 I’d personally call 70s elderly. I hate ‘middle aged’ because to me it’s not a realistic term when you look at upper age ranges which I don’t want to do😅

I'm in my 30s and definitely don't think 60s is elderly! Most people are still working well into their 60s. I would say 75+.

I think posters like to be a bit controversial on these kind of threads. I once read that 35 is middle aged on here... nobody in real life actually thinks this.

I’m not going to say what my age is, as frankly, the World seems to have gone mad labelling folks. It’s almost as if you cannot exist without someone trying to shove you into one box or another. Since when did conforming to a label suddenly come back into fashion? I grew up in an era when the brave, the mavericks, the want to be different, carved their own path. And it’s been and still is bloody lovely. 😎

55 old ??? What is wrong with you? That's when the fun starts again.

I’m 58, I don’t reckon I’ll be elderly until around 86-90.

My dad is 76 and he’s certainly not elderly!

Hahaha.. I'm 55 and still lead a very full active work and social life. I still feel like I'm in my 30s, I certainly don't feel old.

This!!
im not 55 yet but not far off!

My dad is 55 so I consider that elderly (just to wind him and his wife up)