That's not me

I do wonder how old some Gransnetters are sodapop!

I'm around that age too and it was a shock when DD said that she was middle-aged now. I can't be the mother of a middle-aged child, can I?

No - anybody 65 or older is 'geriatric' in medical terms. We don't 'feel' old - unless we're ill - but a quick look in the mirror confirms we're elderly!

My brain says I am 21, my body tells me otherwise ??

I think of myself as "Not as young as I was", but at 75 I don't really feel elderly. It reminds me of my grandmother who used to walk with a stick, eat a light diet and have a rest after lunch. I don't do any of those things. I wear jeans and trainers _ she wore directoire knickers!

Well in that case I have 7 months until I am geriatric best start planning some wild parties/activities beforehand

I keep battling on to keep to the standards of 10 years ago (I'm 85) and protest that I can still do those things.Eg making bread - started at 1pm and it's not in the oven yet and I'm kn-----ed. So why do I do it?
It's as if I don't want to get old and feeble, but now I'm beginning to think it would be nice to be looked after for a change. I was in hospial a few times last year, for tests etc and really enjoyed it.
Suppose it would be worse if I was really poorly so must be careful what I wish for.
Aye, old age is no joke.

I am now 72 and didn't realise that was elderly until the pandemic. A bit of a reality shock.

Well, the newness has worn off a bit, but old?

I’m 77 and all bits are still working .

Does anyone else get a shock when reading something like that

Nope.

But then I was the oldest mum around when my youngest was at primary school, older than many of the kids' grandmas. Then when DD was at secondary school I was pipped to that place by one other person.

I don't believe people are really shocked at being thought old when they get into their seventies. I also think it's ageist of old people to pretend that they are shocked at being thought so. What is wrong with being old and being thought old? Nothing.

Old does not automatically mean suffering from dementia and needing a walking frame, though there's nothing wrong with being at that stage either. Old/elderly means older than people who are obviously young.

It also means more susceptible in statistical terms to various health issues.

We all know this.

What's in a name, eh? I think of myself as old(ish!) but never elderly. My younger self would have thought me ancient. I'm lucky enough to enjoy good health at the moment (I think!) which contributes to this current youthful joie we vivre. Long may it continue!

76 still feel a spring chicken most of the time although I m not stupid and know I m not but hey ho I m happy kidding myself
BUT I m far from geriatric ….by the way when I had my third child at 28 I was called a geriatric mother

Not vintage though, bluebelle. I was vintage . A GP friend gave me a bottle of Vintage Mumm ?

I realise I can't do everything I did 10 or 20 years ago and I think there's a real danger if you don't accept this. You get elderly men climbing ladders for instance, insisting they can still do it. Until they fall. You get elderly people driving cars when their eyesight and reflexes are no longer functioning properly, which puts everyone at risk. I think middle-aged children are sometimes tearing their hair out when their elderly parents won't slow down when they really should.

Old/elderly is ten years older than I am, and always will be.

Recently I was both touched and flattered when my 16 year old granddaughter said 'Grandma may be 78 but she doesn't think old'.

1My elder daughter will be 60 in the next couple of years. That CAN'T be true as it's no time at all since MY 50'th birthday!

It's the connotations that go with being labelled "old" that I object to. Probably half the residents of my village are 70+ but all are active and busy, and using computers/internet/mobile phones etc. Of course, some are fitter than others - you can't help the wear and tear - but none are "sit-by-the-fire and doze old". They run most of the village activities and organisations, too, since most of the younger folk can't/won't be bothered.

Well I feel about 90 and not a very fit 90 at that. Unfortunately, I've got more than 20 years to go till I reach that age chronologically! I've always embraced my inner pensioner.

My 13 year old DGD said recently, “you are the youngest old person I know” I think that was a compliment? I am 68

I'm 62 and my GP recently mentioned something about elderly people (she was reading my notes), so when I said I'm only 62, she apologised and said that 65 is the age that doctors consider a person to be elderly

Lucca

Old/elderly is ten years older than I am, and always will be.

Exactly Lucca

My daughter is 54 this year Framilode that can't possibly be right

If you want to feel decrepit have a look at Mumsnet. They think everyone takes to a shawl and a rocking chair at forty! ?

BlueBelle

76 still feel a spring chicken most of the time although I m not stupid and know I m not but hey ho I m happy kidding myself
BUT I m far from geriatric ….by the way when I had my third child at 28 I was called a geriatric mother

I had my first at that age and was an elderly primigravida ?

Perhaps I need to go cold water swimming with you, Bluebelle, it might perk me up a bit.