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Elderly

(106 Posts)
Newquay Mon 16-Sept-19 00:01:11

Just had a conversation with a dear friend, aged 68, who, despite being fit and active, considers herself elderly. I’m just turned 70 but don’t consider myself elderly. I do realise, of course, the dear old NHS would consider me elderly but what about the rest of us? What do you think?

chicken Mon 16-Sept-19 13:39:32

I spent yesterday hacking out great barrowloads of brambles, I grow all my own vegetables, I recently painted the kitchen ceiling while teetering on a ladder----I'm 83. My OH is the same age, he's doddery, his memory is appalling, he spends most of the day asleep. Becoming elderly is just a matter of good or bad health.

Missiseff Mon 16-Sept-19 13:55:58

My husband's 69, 12 years older than me, and due to retire next week. I don't think of him as elderly and he's certainly fitter than I am!

chrissie13 Mon 16-Sept-19 13:55:58

When I went to the library to be photographed for my bus pass, the lady said "Did you know you're now classed as elderly, I've taken a lot of these photos and nobody has looked remotely elderly".

sharon103 Mon 16-Sept-19 13:59:05

I'm 65 in December and my son refers to me as being in the 'Autumn of my life'.

grandtanteJE65 Mon 16-Sept-19 14:07:58

Whenever I try to dig the garden I KNOW I am elderly, otherwise I don' t give it a thought.

I accepted about 10 years ago that I can no longer run to catch a bus.

Cathy21 Mon 16-Sept-19 14:09:40

I am 77 later this week and still line dancing! However 77 does seem a lot older than 76!!!! Think I’ll start counting backwards.

TillyWhiz Mon 16-Sept-19 14:15:14

I'm another 69 year old who is definitely not elderly although I seem to be on the scammers' phone list for the elderly and vulnerable. They soon realise their mistake!

Aepgirl Mon 16-Sept-19 14:17:19

I don’t consider myself elderly (I am nearly 75), but I have younger friends who seem to think hitting 70 is the beginning of the end.

lizzypopbottle Mon 16-Sept-19 14:21:19

People will insist on putting themselves into boxes! I'll be 68 next birthday and I'm about to attempt my 5th dan karate grading (5th level black belt). I'm training hard to get stronger for it so I'm at the gym twice a week for personal training. There's no quarter given there and they know my age. I'm not elderly. Some people younger than I am are elderly though. Unless you have a medical condition or injury, it's a state of mind.

Witchypoo Mon 16-Sept-19 14:29:34

I am elderly. Old. Past my sell by date

sophieschoice Mon 16-Sept-19 14:29:57

I used to look after a wonderful neighbour who was 78 years. Housebound because of a dodgy hip,the doctor thought it would do her good to go to a local day care centre.
She wasn't sure but said she'd give it a go. When she arrived home I said "did you have a nice time" she said "it was ok,but I don't think I'll go again" I said "oh why's that". "It's full of "old people"was her reply!!

maryhoffman37 Mon 16-Sept-19 14:32:55

I hate "elderly" and would prefer "old" but at 74 don't feel I am either.

Oldandverygrey Mon 16-Sept-19 14:33:52

I am in my seventies, fit and active, but I do consider myself elderly

Greengage Mon 16-Sept-19 14:45:39

I know I am not young anymore as I am 73, but I fell in love three years ago which has definitely given me a bit of a sparkle! Having done the 'three score years and ten' bit, anything now is bonus and my life is in a very good place. I currently have my health, a family that I love, and am more happy than I deserve. Elderly is just a word - some may think it applies to me, I don't!!

WendyBT Mon 16-Sept-19 14:47:43

Well I am much more active than I used to be, in my 20s or 30s. Manage my 10000 steps every day and I'm a 65 plus.

cmwmoonshine Mon 16-Sept-19 15:49:06

My late granny had a saying that she wasn't old she was OLDER !
As I get closer to 50 I often open my mouth and she comes flying out ! (We lost her the day after boxing day last year at the age of 91 !)

Patticake123 Mon 16-Sept-19 16:04:38

This describes my husband. He’s 71 and thinks he’s old. I’m 69 and definitely disagree. Mind you, he still does 500 sit ups each day and runs and/ or walks 5 miles daily. It’s either that he genuinely does think 70 is old or he’s fishing for compliments about how fit he is for his age. I just ignore him!

Menopause Mon 16-Sept-19 16:22:57

I run a hairdressers & won’t have my girls use oap or elderly we say Senior because I think Senior is more respectful. I have to have a different title for pricing as my Senior prices are of course cheaper

BlueSapphire Mon 16-Sept-19 16:25:53

Oh my goodness, if it's 75 according to the registrar then I haven't got long! I'd better hurry up and make the most of it!

Gonegirl Mon 16-Sept-19 16:26:33

Why do people seem to think that being old is somehow insulting? Something that must never be admitted to?

If you are over 75 you are elderly or old. The two words mean the same thing.

tidyskatemum Mon 16-Sept-19 16:36:59

My DM decided she was an old lady the day she retired - aged 58! She had always been quite fit and active but stopped trying and sat on her bum eating cream cakes for the next 30 years! I’m 65 and wouldn’t dream of thinking I was elderly never mind old.

Juicylucy Mon 16-Sept-19 16:53:43

I do really believe it’s mind set I don’t class myself as elderly I’m 63. But some do.

TrendyNannie6 Mon 16-Sept-19 17:48:28

Well I’m not elderly as only in sixties but to be honest if I was in eighties I would probably still say I’m not elderly if I’m lucky enough to reach that age, you are as young as you feel or as young as the man you feel lol and I’m married to a toy boy so I’m happy

Oldandverygrey Mon 16-Sept-19 17:48:58

Menopause I think that is respectful of you and your staff to refer to older people as Seniors and not oap or elderly, however, if you are old you are old, no getting around it, I don't mind what I am called be it elderly, oap, old dear, or whatever

GabriellaG54 Mon 16-Sept-19 18:45:58

I'm old (74yrs 7months) but you can call me anything you like.
I'm content to be the age I am but would love do the whole 36 'mummy' years again.