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Is 75 young or old?

(107 Posts)
kittylester Tue 01-Sep-20 19:28:05

DH, at 75, has just restarted doing his volunteer driving for RVS, mainly driving people for radiotherapy.

Today, he drove a chap who said he was unsure whether it was worth having treatment at his age for a normally easily treatable cancer, hes 75!

So, is 75 young or old?

Blinko Thu 17-Sep-20 20:15:42

If you're 90, then 75 is young. If you're 50, then it's old... Age is comparative, don't you think?

Deedaa Thu 17-Sep-20 20:14:38

My grandmother had her gallbladder removed when she was 90 and was very cross because they put her in a ward full of old people!

Rufus2 Tue 15-Sep-20 16:01:43

Good luck all other "oldies" over 75
Joesoap I'd say you're "middle-aged" and Good Luck to you; you might need it in the UK! grin
Cheers

Puzzled Tue 15-Sep-20 15:42:08

You are as old as you feel.
Good health is a tremendous advantage.
We know folk who are in their 90s (one has just bought a buggy. had to wait for metallic red one to be delivered)
Another of our age, uses a walking stick, but leads Scottish dances!
Another much younger lady of our aquaintance is definitely "glass almost if not completely empty")
Our ages add up to over 160 but we are still active in all sorts of ways. Watering others gardens, dog walking, reinforcing a friend's garage roof.
Age is an attitude of mind. health plays a large part, but the mind provides the stimulus.

Joesoap Sat 05-Sep-20 12:12:21

I am 75 + pretty healthy, apart from arthritis in a hip which is a nuisance, but I am still getting on a plane in a week and going to the UK for a month, two weeks quarantine ala Boris, and two weeks holiday after that,I will be in the house on my own and intend to do well, with adjustments here and there.I keep my mind active and rely on Gransnet daily to help out! Good luck all other "oldies" over 75

Nanny27 Fri 04-Sep-20 17:37:37

Thank you for those kind words Esspee.

boodymum67 Fri 04-Sep-20 15:05:41

I`m 67 and hubby is 72.

We`re far to young to die, but we`re too old for clubbing?

Yes, there is a huuuuge gap twixt the 2 aforementioned things

BUT

this just shows how wide the space is for whoever one is talking about. Abilities, circumstances and enjoyment vary greatly, so there isn't really a one size fits all answer.

Alishka Fri 04-Sep-20 14:59:52

MaggieTulliver

Of course 75 is old ? Average life expectancy in the UK is 81 FFS. It doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life and learn new things but it does mean that the time you have left is a lot more limited than it used to be!

True, that!smile

Greeneyedgirl Fri 04-Sep-20 09:29:16

There is a great taboo about death in many western countries and we get by perhaps, by not thinking about, or denying, ageing. I think that is why we pretend that say, 60 is the new 40, when clearly it isn’t. it can be scary. I think that there is a certain freedom when we accept our lives are finite and live each day as fully as we can and are able. Life is so precious because it is transient.

Skweek1 Thu 03-Sep-20 23:12:00

When I was young, retired people were much older than now; I have a lot of aches and pains, having osteopena but don't think of myself as old at 71' For all that I'm suddenly feeling frustrated that I can barely walk any more!

MaggieTulliver Thu 03-Sep-20 22:02:51

Of course 75 is old ? Average life expectancy in the UK is 81 FFS. It doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life and learn new things but it does mean that the time you have left is a lot more limited than it used to be!

Judy70 Thu 03-Sep-20 21:52:06

I am 70 with Rheumatoid disease, I have lots of interests including wild crafting which gets me out walking with my dog, I grow many of my own fruit and veg......I always make a point of not sitting watching television during the day. I read,knit and crochet and visit my kids. I have to keep active or I get very stiff and sore.

Esspee Thu 03-Sep-20 21:48:12

Nanny27 Your mother sounds like a wonderful person who lived life to the full. The memories she left will help you at this time. ?

Nanny27 Thu 03-Sep-20 21:39:06

Yes Greeneyed we were all so pleased for her. She died last week aged 95. We are heartbroken but are celebrating her wonderful life.

Greeneyedgirl Thu 03-Sep-20 19:34:47

How brilliant Nanny27.

Nanny27 Thu 03-Sep-20 19:07:11

My mum got married again at 81. He was 83 and they had 5 very happy years travelling all over the world before he died. (exhausted probably!)

NannyG123 Thu 03-Sep-20 10:18:12

Although I think age is just a number, many people at 75 are still full of go, and have lots of interests and energy, although there may be a lot of aches and pains,wear and tear due to aging.. but also many people aged 75 just want to sit, and watch TV etc. I think it's an individual thing. Although my teenage gc would say it's ancient?

Greeneyedgirl Thu 03-Sep-20 09:14:59

75 is clearly old, but obviously levels of fitness of body and mind vary enormously at that age. Much depends on luck, genes and lifestyle. I try and live and savour every day as if it’s my last - just in case grin
Styles of clothing have changed since our parent/grandparents era, so that helps maintain the youthful appearance. As long as you don’t strip off ?

MerylStreep Thu 03-Sep-20 09:01:09

GreenGran
I was having a conversation with my stepdaughter. She said you won't always be young ?

GeorgyGirl Thu 03-Sep-20 08:40:01

75 can't be young or even middle aged or else we would be living to 150, so it must be old, just looking at the figures. I don't think age is just a number, parts of bodies do wear out and even if they are replaced and the brain is still agile you've only really got at best 25 years left, so yes, 75 is old whether we like to admit it or not.

Lewie Thu 03-Sep-20 08:33:04

Bijou your comment brought back wonderful memories for me. My maternal grandmother lived to a ripe old age and she drank Guinness every day too! smile

For me the 70s are the new 50s - age is all in the mind.

Juicylucy Wed 02-Sep-20 22:54:08

Bijou how wonderful to read your story . Well done you.

Juicylucy Wed 02-Sep-20 22:48:30

I do believe it’s a lot to do with mindset. I’m 64 but feel 45 I love socialising, I’m up for most things and take every opportunity that comes my way. My ex husband however is 68 and in bed at 8.30/9 every night, moans a lot, won’t do anything out of his comfort zone, he generally thinks he’s an old man so he has become one, even though he’s in good health so he doesn’t need to. Thank goodness we divorced years ago.

Barmeyoldbat Wed 02-Sep-20 22:05:55

I am 73 and reckon 75 is not old, people tend to live a lot longer in better health and thats what I am hoping for. I have a few chronic conditions that could make life difficult but I let it stop me. Mr B is also 73 and a fell runner, he has just been to the dentist to see about implants and when he had his pulse taken the nurse thought there was something wrong with the testing equipment as his pulse kept treading as 41. But as the dentist explained its because he is so fit thats its low. So really you are as young as you feel.

Urmstongran Wed 02-Sep-20 21:20:18

It’ll be that Palmolive soap kitty! Works wonders.
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