Am I now officially "old"?

Falling over is fine but 'having a fall' is a sign of old age. When I broke my knee skiing aged 75 everyone assumed I'd had a knee replacement due to arthritis! My son suggested that I get one of those alarm things but I refused however I did agree that he could put a tracker on my 'phone! They have one for the children and it means that if he tries to call me at ten o'clock at night and I don't answer he can check to see if I am in the middle of a field somewhere having fallen over while walking the dogs!

I’d be ready to catch/help anyone, of any age if they tripped nearby, just a steadying hand. Broken bones are not the prerogative of any specific age.

I was grateful and it is nice that people offered their seat but I felt guilty! I was saying oh thanks but I am only sixty five my husband just said sit!

Chloe, aged 5, when asked if she would like a mince pie informed us that ‘only old people eat mince pies!’ When I told her that I had made them she replied that I must be really old!

I’m not really old but I do trip over a lot especially when sober, never when I’ve had a glass or two!

When DM was 82 she used to go out collecting for 'Help the Aged'. It was a while before it dawned on her that she was older than most of the people she was trying to help.

I am delighted when younger people offer me their seat. I don't mind if they think I am old, I accept gratefully. I have only begun to feel old in the last year. My husband is a year younger but seems a lot older. Now there are things that neither of us can manage any more. It is nothing to be ashamed of.
My mum decided she was old when she was 72 but then ten years later she said “what on earth was I thinking? I am still not old yet “

I often trip on or over things I don't like steps or stairs. I felt old the last two trips on the train to Cardiff people offered me their seat. I know they meant well but my white hair must make me look older than I am.

Just before the first lockdown I tripped over a kerb and broke my shoulder while I was wearing hiking boots.

If people want to think I'm old they can. I don't regard this as a problem for me. Why is being thought young such a cultish thing?

lixy

I was asking my mum to get a buzzer to wear in case she has an accident as she lives alone.
She gave me her best 'teacher' look and said disdainfully, 'No, those are for old people.'
She was 87 at the time!

Oppsadaisy love the cartoon!

Hmm buzzers, I was going to ask a question here about buzzers/smart watches but probably another thread is more suitable.

I was asking my mum to get a buzzer to wear in case she has an accident as she lives alone.
She gave me her best 'teacher' look and said disdainfully, 'No, those are for old people.'
She was 87 at the time!

Oppsadaisy love the cartoon!

I am dyspraxic. I have been fallinng over, taking tumbles, having a fall for most of my life.

Last week, on holiday, I was filling up the water tank on the boat we were holidaying on, when it reached full and water started spraying over me, I stepped backed quickly and tripped over the sewage emptying pipe on the ground behind me. Nobody helped me. I was up and on my feet before they could reach me.

Had a fall in not dissimilar situation a few months ago. I thought I was standing on the first step of a step stool, when I was on the second, stepped back, the ground wasn't where I thought it was, staggered backwards, was just getting my balance when I staggered into a manhole cover that stood proud awaiting the new patio and rolled back over it.

I describe these constant falls as being a built in bone density check. As long as I fall regulalry and sustain no damage beyond a bruise. I have strong bones.

DS tripped over his feet last week, went spread eagle, graised a larger area of inside arm and broke his elbow in two areas and the humerus. More breaks than I have ever had - and he is 30 years my junior.

This is old age, well, it made me laugh!

I would be concerned if my friends didn't try to stop me falling, old or not. I've been falling over all my life - down the stairs, up the stairs, off kerbs, over a matchstick... once crossing a busy street in London on a zebra crossing, legs and undies exposed for all to see.

My mother-in-law said she knew she was getting old when people stood up for her on the tube - but she always declined and so she says didn't accept she was old until she was pleased they did it!
I think she was in her mid/late 80s before she thanked them and took the seat.

Bluesky - I started fearing the ‘falls’ years ago when I would ‘trip’ over nothing while out. Then I changed shoes and no more trips!

I was the same after falling down a pothole in the pavement about seven years ago and breaking my wrist.

I rarely wear heels these days. Fortunately, flat shoes seem to be more fashionable now - dresses and trainers.

Just before Christmas I was secretly congratulating myself for having stayed upright for the last few years. A few days later I tripped over nothing and broke my elbow. Serves me right for being so cocky

We are gong to a couple of weddings this year so I am contemplating getting out my heels - or maybe not

SueDonim

I saw an article about Bridgit Macron yesterday. It says she’s almost 70 and they referred to her as being in ‘late mid-life’.

But of course! I do like Mme Macron, I think she looks fab, (I won’t add ‘for her age’)!

Hmmmm very late

I saw an article about Bridgit Macron yesterday. It says she’s almost 70 and they referred to her as being in ‘late mid-life’.

I always thought that as the Government of the day never lets you have anything until it’s almost too late, the start of your ‘old age Pension’ coming into your hands means that you are old.
Although now that it’s called State Pension I suppose you’re only as old as you feel. Some days that’s very old.
Other days not so much.

I realised I was old when my neighbour offered to bring in my shopping at the beginning of lockdown.
I will never forgive her for that. ?

I slippped just before Christmas and broke my wrist leaving my art class at a local hotel, it was caused by a combination of slippy heels on wet leaves. The nurse told me gently, "never mind it could have been your hip!" which made me feel rather old and decrepit. However, my friends either asked me if I'd "come off my horse" or if I'd spent too much time at the bar which made me feel much better! You are as old as you feel. I'm 73 but it's just a number!

They say that how people react when you “have a fall” aka trip, fall over, fall, , determines whether you are old or not.
If they rush to help you to your feet and check you are OK, I’m afraid you are old, if still young, they leave to sort yourself out.

I started fearing the ‘falls’ years ago when I would ‘trip’ over nothing while out. Then I changed shoes and no more trips!

Well, you do call yourself "OldWoman70"

It depends on whether, when discussing this over dinner afterwards, they said 'you fell' or 'you had a fall'.