What age do you consider to be "elderly"?

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Today I'm saying mid-70's and up. I'm in my mid-50's and can't see me as being elderly in my 60's. I'll still be working, traveling, and holding my own pretty well then. I might start taking things more slowly when I get to my mid-70's...

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I think it's not any one set age. One can be elderly at 64, or one could be NOT yet elderly at 74. I think it's when you begin relying on others for simple tasks you used to perform on your own.

 

[King Schultz]

Just a side note; I started a happy birthday thread for JaxDad and tvguy on the 'birthday board' above if anyone wants to join in.

 

[King Schultz]

Today I'm saying mid-70's and up. I'm in my mid-50's and can't see me as being elderly in my 60's. I'll still be working, traveling, and holding my own pretty well then. I might start taking things more slowly when I get to my mid-70's...

You'll always be young to me my friend. . .

 

[JaxDad]

Just a side note; I started a happy birthday thread for JaxDad and tvguy on the 'birthday board' above if anyone wants to join in.

Thank you!

 

[King Schultz]

Thank you!

You're welcome. . .


WillyJ.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

I remember watching Full House when I was about 8 and Danny Tanner was turning 30 and I remember thinking WOW HE'S SO OLD.

I was a jerk.

 

[Neesy228]

I think it's not any one set age. One can be elderly at 64, or one could be NOT yet elderly at 74. I think it's when you begin relying on others for simple tasks you used to perform on your own.

I would agree with this.

My mother is 63 and she's got bad knees, a bad back, gripes about everything, is happiest when she's being coddled...basically acts like she's "elderly." However, my aunt (who is her older sister) is 73 and acts like she's 30! She's vibrant, active, healthy, volunteers for countless causes etc.

Some of it is luck and circumstances, some of it is mental and attitude.

If we're going purely by chronological age, I would say over 75 is elderly.

 

[Mikie]

When I think elderly I think more of the persons health vs age. Elderly to me is someone frail, needs assistance walking (steadying hand, walker, cane), hands may shake, maybe oxygen.

My parents are in their 60's. No way would I consider them elderly. They are extremely active, fit and healthy. One of my Grandmas is in her 80's. She is also active and has none of the issues above. My other Grandma I would say is elderly. She has several of the above issues.

To me there is also a difference between elderly and senior citizen.

I used to think I could pin a number to it, but now I really agree with this. "Seniors" are definitely my mom and mother-in-law at 68 and 77, respectively. Independent, healthy, gray hair, but otherwise healthy and going strong!
My dad was "elderly" at 68 when he passed and had numerous illnesses and looked much older than his years. Father-in-law at 87 and frail health is definitely elderly, but his roommate of the same age at the rehab center doesn't seem "elderly" at all, because he's very healthy other than getting physical therapy to recuperate from a broken leg.

 

[cornflkgrl]

Always 20 years older than my folks because if I called them elderly I'd get in trouble

 

[cedricandsophie]

I'm 66 and my husband is 70. Most of our friends are in their 60s and 70s. I consider elderly more a state of mind then an actual age. We are heAlthy and active. Plus I don't dress in frumpy clothes. I know people my age or younger who I would consider elderly because of their attitude or unwillingness to travel, go out to movies or theater, wear modern and attractive clothes, etc. and we have friends in their 80s who can run circles around us. I hope I'm never considered elderly.

 

[powellrj]

My grandson who is 9 told me yesterday since I am elderly, I can fish for free, so would I take him fishing. That kind of hurt since my DH is older than I am! My dad is 81 and while he can't drive anymore due to dementia, he is in wonderful physical shape. He is in assisted living and refers to many of his neighbors as old farts and I think he is older than they are. I am going with anything 20 years older than I am.

 

[Realfoodfans]

When I was a young kid, 30+ was old.

When I was a young adult, it was 50+.

Now that I'm over 50, elderly is 80+

I was going to post the same thing! I think as long as you can try and keep as healthy as possible we aren't aging in the way previous generations did - however you sometimes see someone described as say 60 and sometimes they look much younger sometimes much older!

 

[suebeelin]

Happy Birthday! I am 54, going on 30! I had kids pretty late in life, so they are keeping me young. At least that is what I like to tell myself...

Ugh tell be about it.

15yrs ago I was 30. In 15 yrs I'll be 60.

I have a 6 and 3yr old.

My mom is 72. I do consider her elderly now. She was in the icu a few months ago and I worry about her all the time.

She told me I'm not allowed to have anymore kids bc she doesn't feel young anymore. Given the fact that I'm now 45, her wish is likely granted. No more kids for me.

 

[Realfoodfans]

I'm 66 and my husband is 70. Most of our friends are in their 60s and 70s. I consider elderly more a state of mind then an actual age. We are heAlthy and active. Plus I don't dress in frumpy clothes. I know people my age or younger who I would consider elderly because of their attitude or unwillingness to travel, go out to movies or theater, wear modern and attractive clothes, etc. and we have friends in their 80s who can run circles around us. I hope I'm never considered elderly.

So true - my Dad will be 90 this year Mum is 88 - they have only become "elderly" since their health has deteriorated over the last 2 years - always been active, sociable, though sadly struggling now they've been an inspiration to all the family!

 

[DiannaVM]

Since retirement age here is 65, I would say 70 is elderly. But then again, I hardly consider my grandparents to be elderly lol (or my friend's parents for that matter!) who are all over 70. To my mind, elderly is someone beyond 70 who has very limited or diminished physical mobility......

 

[Realfoodfans]

I think you are probably elderly when you don't own pants with zippers or shoes with laces AND you confuse your teeth with your partner's.

I know that's a bit of a joke but you know what I must disagree - my lovely Dad is definitely "elderly" being 90 this year but he dresses smartly every day including shirt and tie (though he does now wear a cardigan!)

 

[disykat]

I wish there was an actual definition. I'd put it at 75. Then people could "be in really good shape for being elderly." etc. The ambiguity of the term makes it useless because no one will admit to being elderly.

My dad is 85 and has dementia, but doesn't consider himself elderly.

 

[Realfoodfans]

I would agree with this.

My mother is 63 and she's got bad knees, a bad back, gripes about everything, is happiest when she's being coddled...basically acts like she's "elderly." However, my aunt (who is her older sister) is 73 and acts like she's 30! She's vibrant, active, healthy, volunteers for countless causes etc.

Some of it is luck and circumstances, some of it is mental and attitude.

If we're going purely by chronological age, I would say over 75 is elderly.

Awe I feel sad for your mum - pain can be very aging. I was 60 in April - my family say I'm definitely still "young" - I love modern clothes, a night on the town with the young ones, rolling down a grassy hill with the grandchildren- but when my illness kicks in I take myself off to bed for a couple of days to recover then I can get back on with enjoying life!

 

[pocomom]

I know that's a bit of a joke but you know what I must disagree - my lovely Dad is definitely "elderly" being 90 this year but he dresses smartly every day including shirt and tie (though he does now wear a cardigan!)

My grandpa was the same way. The first three people at his wake were his talior, his shoemaker and his barber.
Certainly not all elderly dress only in elastic and switch their dentures- but if you do, you are probably elderly, regardless of numerical age
I must confess the switched teeth actually came from a true story about my grandparents , lol. My grandma jokingly told us to "put her down now" after that one, but luckily we had 10 more memorable years with her. Elderly, but well dressed and well read until the day she died.