When Are You ‘Elderly’?

Elderly is when you can’t cut your own toe nails! I’m just about managing it at 75.

I use Joanna Lumley as my yardstick as she is 5 years older than me at 74. It always cheers me up when I watch her, as I did last night.

When asked my age I say "72 +VAT". Pleased that most enquirers can't do that sum.

My MIL still drives, copes with her own housework. DS helps her with her techy stuff, but a few days before her 88th birthday she went into hospital and is still there. She's still being cantankerous and mean, but when we are old enough to be rude to everyone younger than us! I still feel that I'm mentally 16 with a body that can feel anything from 16 to 200!
My godmother was a district nurse/midwife and when she retired she decided to help out with meals on wheels because she was worried about the elderly people around.

When you choose to be, age is but a number!

I’m 60+, but would hate to be considered elderly.
I actually refer to my bus pass (not that I mention it in company!) as a “travel pass”.
The word I really loathe is pensioner.

Instead of elderly I prefer the term ‘recycled teenager’ conjures up a wonderful image of lots of us having a really good time and being really happy, present circumstances not withstanding. ?

When I joined Slimming World I was incensed to find I was classed as a senior citizen, I m only 63 ?

I think whether we are elderly, or even old, very much depends on the age of the person describing us.

Strictly speaking, I suppose we are elderly or is it old? once we have reached the legal retirement age.

I admit I would not describe myself or someone of my age (69) as elderly or old, but that I think is due to vanity.

It has its advantages to be classed as elderly if it means that heating companies, delivery men and the like are more helpful.

A few years ago, my neighbour who was 82, told me she'd been in a shop and a young woman next to her said to her little boy "Let this old lady come past". My neighbour had looked around for the old lady and then realised it was her. She was quite shocked! I am 64 now and would not like to be referred to as elderly. I don't feel it and I don't think I look it. When I read of an "elderly person" I think of someone in their 80s at least.

I was positively old having my daughter at 35. Elderly is showing signs of age.

The power companies can choose to fully or partially reinstate the electricity supply or keep it switched off!
My husband and I discovered that over 20 years ago, when we had a power cut on New Year's Day! My husband's mother who was nearly 80 and in poor health was staying with us at the time and my 2 children were both under the age of 10. The power was off completely for several hours, and as the time clock for the gas central heating requires electricity, the house soon became absolutely freezing!
My husband called our electricity service provider to complain, and to ask if there was anything they could do, given our situation. There was! Within 30 minutes, we had power fully restored! Meanwhile, almost all our neighbours in the street were left without power until the next day!
This shows that it pays to complain - you don't ask, you don't get! ?

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

The post man asked me the other day if I had been given my jab . I told him I was a long way down the queue , he said how old are you . I'm only 52 but must look older , I thought I didn't look to bad for my age . Obviously not , I'm must change that mirror . You know what they say you are as old as you feel . Some days I feel 100 .

My late G/M when aged 90 insisted she would never ride in a wheel chair, because people might think she was old. It still makes me smile now. So elderly or old is all in the mind.

Our 3 year old grandson tells us we’re not old, we’re grown up. ?

I was an elderly multiple when I had my third baby at 36!

I think elderly is when you get a Zimmer frame and can only eat yoghurt.

I'd have thought 'elderly' is usually signified by the age of retirement, but as they keep putting that up and up all the time then its a 'grey' (parden the pun) area.

Why is there the assumption that we more mature ladies are more affected by bad news?

I took issue with my local radio station the other day when it was said ‘some people still use old-fashioned cheques....’ I pointed out that embracing tradition is not being old-fashioned.

‘Elderly’ retreats as I reach each age I thought it applied to.

HOrg I agree with you. (Today 3rd Feb 10.31)

At 80 I’m still waiting to become elderly. I don’t mind being “older” but I neither feel nor look elderly. However if it benefits me in any way,that is OK.

Primagravid with first baby at 28 years old. Interesting that when one of my daughters had her first baby at that age she was the oldest in the NHS Hospitals own ante-natal classes, and the youngest at the NCT ones!!!

I loved turning 50 years old - was similar to when I had my 16th birthday - both times could hop between different groups (being a child/being an adult) and (being 'getting on' / being middle years).

60 was exciting as I acquired my Freedom Pass in london. Used to be interesting at the hospital I worked for the next decade, as people asking me assistance in the corridors would tell me they were finding it difficult to get around now they were older and often turned out to be younger than me!!

At 70, I permitted my children to use the term 'ageing'. I was retired then, but still very much involved in much voluntary work. Must admit age began to catch up with my body during that decade.

In a few months time, I hope to celebrate my 80th birthday and will then permit people to call me elderly (physically, but not mentally). If I make it through the next decade, then perhaps I will allow the term 'old'!!!

It depends on the individual. Saw Michael Morpurgo being interviewed by Jon Snow on Channel 4 News last night. Was gobsmacked when he said he was born in 43, seen 50 year olds looking older than him.