I am very upset

Aka

I think it's odd to not mind old but to object to elderly. Both from the same stem. Old is blunt (but fine). Elderly is a gentler word "bordering on old".

I say again, why mind about something so trivial?

If people were proud in stead of ashamed of their elderliness there'd be no insult in the word, especially as there's nothing to be ashamed of.

The up side of being elderly is being invisible. There's far less pressure and I dress to please myself and for comfort.

There are always things that rankle Bags but different things rankle for different people.

I'm with B on this one. In fact I would go so far as to say I honour my age.
If I didn't embrace my age then it would seem, in a way, to be a dismissal of all my life that has gone before, and I can't and won't do that.

I certainly don't see myself as invisible, and don't feel others do either.

AKA I could not imagine for one nano second , you being invisible !
&

I'm only invisible when on my crutches or luggie!

bags I know that old and elderly derive from the same original word, or whatever the terminology is.
I don't mind 'old' because its factual.
It's the often slightly condescending usage of 'elderly' that grates.

You can choose not to feel condescended at by letting others' stupid condescension slide off you.

Same as feeling patronised. You can't be patronised if you don't give a damn what patronising tw@ts say. As that Labour MP said: she'd been patronised by better people than David Cameron. Translation: Stuff it in your pipe, Cammo, and smoke it, you silly man.

It is stupid to be condescending about age. Cultivate a look which says just that.

Besides, elderly means "bordering on old". That's factual too.

I'm neither - at almost 65 I'm late middle aged!

Quite a few years ago, when I worked at a building society, I was mugged by two yobs as I was leaving the branch to go to the post office.I was ok, and they only got away with mail but what really upset me was the report in the local newspaper saying "middle aged woman attacked"!! I was 43!!!!

I am now 70 and still don't consider myself elderly or old, maybe late middle aged.

I can do better than that Natsnan. I was 37 the first time a young lass described me as middle aged. Thirty years later I'm still not middle aged let alone elderly.

Natsnan and Brendawymms - I can beat you both. Many years ago I went for an interview and although I had all the qualifications needed was told I probably wouldn't fit in as theirs was a young office - I was 28!!

When I was in my teens I thought anyone over the age of 50 was old, now I am in my 60s I don't think it matters a jot!

thatbags I'm glad you posted about being proud of our 'elderliness' I feel so.I'm 82 elderly,old and use a stick.
I find people very kind and helpful -if I allow them to be
Gally.I confess to playing the 'old lady' card when it's to my advantage.

At age 70 I was offered part-time work in a busy new pharmacy in Bristol.The owner said he had great respect for older people and made me very welcome.When I finally retired just before my 75th birthday he organised a full page spread about my pharmacy career in the local paper.

My 84 year old neighbour still works two days a week on our local outdoor, traditional market. She does her garden, goes out for lunch with her pals, collects several grandchildren from school and cares for them till their various parents arrive to pick them up. She is inspirational as are so many independent "elderly" people, including my mum in law, aged 92. Failing health is the B of old age isn't it.

Maniac I reckon my oh will follow you at 68 he just worked sat mon and tues bless he was tired yesterday! He enjoys it and so many people ask for him! It makes me proud when friends ask what day he works so they can go in for advice!

Maybe the poor thing had bad eyesight.

I went to the doctor with a gynaecological problem and he told me, 'It's your age, Mrs W'. Fortunately we moved that summer and my new doctor diagnosed a malfunctioning coil. Problem solved. I was 37.

I think that mentally I'm ok still. Bit down at the moment but just ordered a light lamp to try.
It's my arthritis which limits me and really gets me down. Because of it I can't go out and mingle, so I get lonely and more depressed.
It's really bad at the moment so I've barely moved from my comfy chair except for food drink and toilet purposes.
Going to take more analgesics and go to bed soon hoping I'm happier in the morning

Why can researchers find a cure for arthritis? It's so painful and debilitating, it limits life and it affects so many people.

Hear, hear, Aka. It must cost 'the taxpayer' (ie you and me) a great deal in disability benefits. A clear case for putting resources into research.