How old is "elderly"?

[Robinrs]

I'm turning 52 on Tuesday! I used to work at a senior living center and they called me "baby"!

I guess it's relative. My mother was NEVER elderly and she died at 76, but my Dad was "elderly" just about all my life. He walked slow, talked slow and embraced his age. My Mom NEVER did, she always said you become an old lady the minute you stop learning....

In HER description, I'm NOT elderly! But eeeeasing up on it!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Makes perfect sense!!

Great! It's Friday and I wasn't sure if me wanting to go home now had somehow affected my speaking abilities.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I'm turning 52 on Tuesday! I used to work at a senior living center and they called me "baby"!

I guess it's relative. My mother was NEVER elderly and she died at 76, but my Dad was "elderly" just about all my life. He walked slow, talked slow and embraced his age. My Mom NEVER did, she always said you become an old lady the minute you stop learning....

In HER description, I'm NOT elderly! But eeeeasing up on it!

Or stopped living life. I know elderly people who, after retirement, just stop living life and just sit on the couch and watch tv. My grandmother was never like that. She embraced life and learning right up to the end, and when she went, she went quick...the way I want to go. When my grandmother was 80 (I believe) she went to the Dr.'s office for a phyiscal. The Dr. told her that since she was so healthy she'll live to 110...2 days later she was dead. It was her time to go and she didn't linger. She died as quick as she lived life.

 

[disykat]

I feel that "young" people are in their 20's and 30's (younger than 20's are just kids!), "middle age" are people in their 40's, 50's and 60's. "Elderly" are the 70's, 80's and 90's.

I think this sounds about right too. My parents are in their mid 70's and just now starting to embrace being old. That doesn't mean they've stopped living. They still travel, etc. They just have to be careful to avoid injuries, watch their health more carefully, etc.

There are many beautiful things about being old. My parents have noticed how polite and helpful strangers are to them now - especially young people.

 

[mickeyfan2]

When you start collecting social security.

 

[mirthmaiden]

OMG, when did this happen? I was always "young". I am the "youngest" in my family. I am the fun one.

So all of a sudden it hit me: I am 51. So unless I live to be more than 102; I am past middle age?!

So, when do my nieces and nephews start referring to me as "my elderly aunt"?

As long as I'm younger than you, I feel OK To answer the question, I don't know exactly. My parents are in their 60's and I don't think of them as elderly. I guess 70's???

 

[maddiemom]

Working in healthcare really changes your view of what elderly is.

Most patient that I see who are between 70-79 I usually tell them that they are spring chickens still! I would say that 80ish is my point of conceding that people are old.

 

[binny]

It really does depend on your frame of mind. My cousins Grandpa who everyone in the family calls Grandpa is 101. My aunt took him in last year to see about having his drivers license taken away and the doc did a thorough check, eyes, mental, reflexes... the works. Then he looked at my aunt and said " Wish I could take it away. Im sure he LOOKS scary to other people but the truth is he is in better form than most anyone else on the road!"


Up until 4 or 5 years ago he would disapear for days at a time. he would go visit a friend a few hours away or go hunting.

Now his favourite joke is to sit in his lazy boy when my aunt goes over and she gets real close thinking he has finally gone and he will pop his eyes open and yell " Gotcha again!"

God love him, he's going to outlive us all!

 

[Lanshark]

My age times 2

 

[crz4mm2]

My Grandma was only 74 when she died. She was in no way "elderly'. She mowed her own yard, walked to town every day to get her mail and was getting ready for a trip to see her newest great grandchild when she dropped dead of a heart attack.
I hope I go as easily.

I think it is not a number, it is how you act.

 

["Got Disney"]

how old is elderly...JMO but when you start to fart dust...that is elderly...I am 50 so have a long way to go before that happens.....

 

[Liberty Belle]

It really depends on the person, but I think it can start in the seventies. I think of 50 to 65 as middle aged, even though technically, I suppose, it's not.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Its all your state of mind.

Personally I think of elderly as being into your 80's



50 is just getting started, or so Ive heard

Ditto..

Also today I was speaking to one of my coworkers who is in her 60's as she stands on top of the counters in the school kitchen to put the drink machines together.

I told her I hope I am like you...seriously. She said, you have to exercise.

 

[MinnyGranny62]

I like the post best that stated ...I think it is not a number, but it is how you act. I do not consider myself elderly and probably won't until I at least reach 99, and maybe not then either.

 

[disney1990]

Some place between 80 and 90. My Mom is elderly -- she turned 85 yesterday.

 

[disykat]

It's funny to me that people have such a negative view of the word "elderly." To me, it doesn't mean "infirm" as most people here seem to think.

 

[The Mayor]

OMG, when did this happen? I was always "young". I am the "youngest" in my family. I am the fun one.

So all of a sudden it hit me: I am 51. So unless I live to be more than 102; I am past middle age?!

So, when do my nieces and nephews start referring to me as "my elderly aunt"?

you always liked a good tune...if someone calls you "elderly" then just break out in this song in your best Peter Pan voice


I won't grow up,
(I won't grow up)
I don't want to go to school.
(I don't want to go to school)
Just to learn to be a parrot,
(Just to learn to be a parrot)
And recite a silly rule.
(And recite a silly rule)
If growing up means
It would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree,
I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me!
Not I,
Not me!
Not me!
I won't grow up,
(I won't grow up)
I don't want to wear a tie.
(I don't want to wear a tie)
And a serious expression
(And a serious expression)
In the middle of July.
(In the middle of July)
And if it means I must prepare
To shoulder burdens with a worried air,

I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me,
Not I,
Not me!
So there!
Never gonna be a man,
I won't!
Like to see somebody try
And make me.
Anyone who wants to try
And make me turn into a man,
Catch me if you can.
I won't grow up.
Not a penny will I pinch.
I will never grow a mustache,
Or a fraction of an inch.
'Cause growing up is awfuller
Than all the awful things that ever were.
I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up,
No sir,
Not I,
Not me,
So there!

I won't grow up!
(I won't grow up)
I will never even try
(I will never even try)
I will do what Peter tells me
(I will do what Peter tells me)
And I'll never ask him why
(And I'll never ask him why)

We won't grow up!
(We won't grow up)
We will never grow a day
(We will never grow a day)
And if someone tries to make it
(And if someone tries to make it)
We will simply run away
(We will simply run away)

I won't grow up!
(I won't grow up)
No, I promise that I won't
(No, I promise that I won't)
I will stay a boy forever
(I will stay a boy forever)
And be banished if I don't!
(And be banished if I don't)

And Never Land will always be
The home of beauty and joy
And neverty
I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me!
Not me!
Not me!
Not me!
No sir!
Not me!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Sounds like you are having the same crisis I am having. I was supposed to have my 50th bday this January. But at 49, I decided to start going backward...so now I am 48..next year I will be 47...well, you get the picture..

 

[bigmerle1966]

I think that "elderly" is a state of mind. And you are FAR from elderly Auntie!

I know I am your favorite.

Here, let's have some beer in the sink. That will make us feel young.

You know, that reminds me. I was looking at the community college brochure and they have a beer appreciation class. Too bad I don't like beer!

And they also have an introduction to wine course too!

 

[RobInBigKC]

72.467 years old.

-- Rob