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?

55 is definitley not old, my mum is 57 and doesnt feel old to me atall. 40 is definitley not middle aged. One of my best friends is nearly 47 (11 years older than me) I still wouldnt call her even middle aged tbh. I would feel that 50 is middle aged and anyone considered old is 70+ so basically at around retirement age. But even then I cant say that all people in their 70s come across as old my FIL is 70 and hes still really strong and capable of lots of things, goes out running, cycling etc. Tbh age is subjective really because some people in their 20s can look and behave like they could be in their 40s, and some people can look alot younger than their actual age and behave/dress younger (not in a cringe way).

But however old you look, or feel, or act for your age is irrelevant- you’re still that age.

I’m 57 and off to my bed.

I thought that, it’s the same with all the funeral plan and mobility scooter ads on daytime tv “If you are aged 50-80 you are entitled to a free pen” they class 50-80 year olds as all the same, it’s utterly ridiculous.

The middle of 90 is 45! and life expectancy is around 80. So middle age is actually around 40.

It doesn’t matter if you look or feel old. Humans live to around 80-90 generally

Even as a medical definition, there is no consensus of when "elderly" begins, and proposed reviews of the terminology are ongoing, given the improvements in lifestyle and changes in health and ability of the traditional 65-75+ year old.

You could be in your 80s and still really fit and healthy, you’re still elderly.

@PaminaMozart Respectfully, you are old/elderly. Medically speaking, and in terms of state benefits and laws about pension savings. Not to mention just plain factually.

One can be old/elderly and be fit, active, go on adventures, be superior in mental and physical skills compared to some younger people, use technology to its fullest extent, look well and fashionable, etc. etc.

Why is “old” offensive or derogatory?

But old is older than elderly.

But "healthy life expectancy" isn't increasing, hasn't for ages. In some parts of the country it's actually decreasing.

55 is not old! It's still middle aged.
I think you're misunderstanding what middle aged means. It doesn't mean you double the age and can live that long. It's a period of many years before you are as old. Even the Oxford dictionary defines middle age as 45 - 65.
And why are you differentiating between old and elderly? They're the same thing.

Why is “old” offensive or derogatory?

Come back in a few years time and tell us your own answer.

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.

You seem really out of touch.

So middle age is one year? Or it only starts exactly in the middle of your life? Are you saying the first 40 years are when you’re young? (genuine questions, not arguing!).

I’m 51 and would describe myself as an old person.

My maternal grandmother is 103, maternal great grandmother died at 96, paternal grandmother died at 90 so I'm guessing at 56 a just over middle aged?

I agree with a lot of PPs that age is really just a number and that PLUS your physical state of wellness is probably what should more correctly be considered when describing you as elderly/old etc.

I'm still out dancing from 8 - 2am on the weekends!

I'm 66 and look old but wouldn't describe myself as frail, my mum didn't get frail until she was about 80

Medically you're considered frail after 65years. There are several tools used to predict the likelihood of series illness or injury and they generally use age >65yr as a marker for frailty. Two common ones are Curb-65, more likely to need hospital admission with pneumonia, Canadian c-spine: more likely to pick up a spinal fracture in simple low mechanism fall..

I find it interesting that so many put down different meaning to 'old'. Like if at certain age you still do something you can't be old.
I've never considered old to mean you can't do something. It is just a word to describe age like teenager.

As a teenager I considered everyone over the age of 25 'old'... now in my early 30's.. don't ask! 😆

I think it only depends from a policy/marketing segmentation perspective.

Socially.. well, I don't know. I'm not great with ages but looking at my IL's, relatives, colleagues etc none of them look like an 'elderly person' I'd offer my seat to until about mid-70's. So I wouldn't consider 65 elderly!

@SleepyRich medical terms are another thing I mean they still have 'geriatric mother' written on forms for women in their early 30's. May be true medically but who would ever call someone that outside of the hospital..?

It’s not out of touch

34% of 65 year olds work

I thought it was more too but it’s not! So that poster isn’t really out of touch

Surely middle age is middle of your life and not many people are living 130.

Quite- you can be old and like rock music/ run marathons. MN is like “schrodingers old person”. 65 isn’t old at all unless the government wants to raise the pension age in which case it’s all “ ooh noo. Can’t be expected to work till 70” 🤣🤣

I know a lot of people in physical jobs who are still working well into their sixties. I have a cousin of 97 who would be furious to be called old. My paternal grandfather lived to 98. 40 is middle age. I wonder if the posters might change their mind, because people on here seem to have babies later.

I remember as a late teen reading in the newspaper about an elderly man ...he was iirc 57 which was a similar age to my dad at the time. We all thought it was hilarious!