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?

45-60 or 55 plus are NOT OLD!

I'm 52 and there's no way I'm old !

@VanillaFrosted has shared the frailty definitions I was going to share. Frailty is what makes someone elderly not just age.

When talking about population health broadly, 65 is when old age begins. 75 is elderly but the critical factor is frailty. How many long term conditions you have, how mobile you are, your social isolation and your socioeconomic status are all just as important. If you live in a deprived part of the country then you’re so much more likely to be come ill and frail at an early age than those living in affluent area.

65 plus is elderly

My FIL will be 77 this year and still works full time in a physical job.

I work with older adults and some people are already elderly in their late 50s and early 60s and some 80-90 year olds are still carrying on like they are in their 40s.

Age really is just a number

FFS.

I'm 70 and fitter than most 40 year olds.

Look after your health and fitness.

Of course, life can throw you a curveball at any time, but looking after yourself is almost always likely to improve the outcome.

I wouldn't say old at 55. Elderly isn't an age in my view, more a state - if frail then yes, I would say elderly. I know a sprightly 100 year old who the term elderly doesn't fit, in my eyes.

This is really interesting!

I don’t understand your thought process at all. On one hand,you believe so strong that 65 is not elderly that you’ve started a thread about it.

On the other hand you have proposed a definition which puts 55 year olds in the same category as 80 year olds, which is ludicrous.

I also interpret the term “middle aged” to mean more like the middle of adulthood, rather than the exact midpoint of your whole life. Eg the middle third of your life between 20 and 80 would be 40-60 years old.

Personally, I wouldn’t call someone middle aged until they were about 45. I’d say elderly was over 70, although I know a lot of very fit and young-looking over-70s!

I am 63. I cannot draw my old age pension, nor am I able to get a bus pass. I can however, have free eye tests and prescriptions. So, in societal terms I am at that junction between being middle aged and elderly.

I know there are some complex semantic differences between the terms 'elderly' and 'old', but I have always assumed 'elderly' preceded 'old'. My mother is 95 for example. She is definitely 'old' not 'elderly'.

How can 65 be elderly when most people are still working at that age?

Well yes, as elderly for me isn’t an age thing, more a condition and those at the much older end seem to fit into that ‘frail’ category

Exactly

@Helfs @garlictwist

Is it true that most 65 year olds are working?

I mean, I don’t know, but I would have thought the majority were not working tbh.

Also, I know of many people who are old, but working. They are not mutually exclusive.

I get adverts for cremations.

Im 59

This is my take on it.

0-1 baby
1-2 toddler
2-13 child
13-19 - teenager
19-25 young adult
25-45- adult
40- 70 Middle Aged

70-80 old(ish)
80+ - elderly

As pension age is 66, soon to be 67, it cannot be classed as elderly. Old is between 60 and pension age, not sure where. Traditionally elderly care in the NHS was 75+ and I think now with extended life expectancy, it could be 80+, as well as those in those in their 70s with major health issues.

65 is early old age in medical terminology.

Yes, you are still expected to work when you are officially classed as old, albeit the early stages of this.

And no matter how sprightly you are you will still be leaving middle age and entering old age at sixty five.

Elderly is a bit of a nothing term, please rest assured that post sixty five all things being equal you will likely end up under the care of a geriatrician should you be admitted to hospital.

You're old starting at sixty five, it's up to the individual whether they view that as a pejorative term.

I agree. My parents are early/mid 60's, both still working, very tech savvy, both still have some of their natural hair colour left, my mum has her hair coloured blonde and wears it straight. They're always off on holidays and weekends away, my dad's just replaced all the house windows by himself. They have quite a few grandchildren that they'll care for on odd weekends/overnights.

I think elderly is a state of health/mindset rather than an age.

SAGA will start letting you cruise with them on your fiftieth birthday, so there's also that.

It’s a medical definition based on the physiological changes that start to occur around that age.

I work in a residential care home and, to me, elderly is 80 plus, regardless of health and fitness. I'm 57 and am deeply offended when someone young suggests I'm old.

It always depends on who’s saying it really though, doesn’t it? I’m 43, had a young doctor who said the arthritis in my knees was fair enough given my age and that my body at this age would be slowing anyway and should think about trading in running. Mentioned this to the specialist I went to for an injection in said knee (the doctor is only a bit older than me and also runs), he laughed and made jokes about it and told me to get a good knee support and not assume I was over the hill yet!

I actually didn't realise old and elderly were that different, thought they had a similar meaning until reading this!

65s not middle age 😂. 45 is middle age if you’re lucky enough to live to 90. 39//45 Middle Ages.

I'm 61. Work 50+ hrs in a dynamic and responsible role. Exercise. Ran a half marathon at 60.
Please don't call me old.