I.m not that old. !!!

grannybuy

A doctor who worked in geriatric medicine told me that at the facility in which he worked, the staff used the terms, ‘ off their feet ‘, ‘ off their head ‘, - or both!

And, of course, that will be them one day!

Witzend

I was described in my notes as an ‘elderly’ primigravida when having my first baby at 28!

This made me smile, me too at 27, with baby number one. Goodness only knows what I was considered when babies 2, 3 & 4 arrived at 39, 42, & 44!!

I have noticed a tendency lately for tv presenters to say “0h bless” or similar to anyone over 80. This really sets my teeth on edge. My body may be 80+ but in my head I am still in my 20s.

Age is a state of mind, I know several ladies who always seem much younger than their biological age, but equally many who seemed ‘old’ in their thirties!

"Geriatric" is no more a pejorative term than "paediatric". It's simply medical terminology for those of us over a certain age, although that age might be a matter for more precise definition. I have no doubt that whatever that age is, I am now past it,

A recent letter from the consultant to the GP merely declwcribed me a a pleasant lady, what should I have done to have earned the description very pleasant I wonder ,,(phone consultant by the way)

Before my last operation the consultant sent a letter to the GP describing me as "this pleasant, well read lady" I had a good laugh because I read it as "mind what you say because she worked in the profession" 😆

I had a be admitted to hospital when my chemo made me really ill. I had to be separate from other patients as my immune system was compromised. I was put on a care of the elderly ward in a cubicle as it was the only bed that was suitable. I’m 63! All the staff said they never usually had patients under 80.

I was described as a lovely elderly lady, very fit for her age, by one consultant, he was Italian. Kept the letter.

After having a chat with someone I hadn’t seen for some time she said’Well lovely to see you. Why don’t you come along to the Senior Citizens club on a Friday ?”
I was rather nonplussed as I have never yet considered myself old enough for that. I will be 70 in July 😄

Lexisgran I knoe exactly what you mean about 'Oh bless'. I first heard it in the mid-1990, when I was looking for some pretty underwear for my mother, aged about 80, who was always beautifully dressed from the skin outward, and my toes curled, but over the last couple of years I have heard it used more and more widely by all kinds of people in all kinds of situations.

Person A: 'The traffic was terrible today' Person B: 'Oh bless' I do not think people now even think what it means, it is just an all purpose meaningless phrase that means little more than 'I have heard what you said'

IMO Doctors should not be describing patients as pleasant, or unpleasant, but stick to the medical diagnosis or opinion. I thought judging people in such a way had disappeared along with coded rude descriptions such as FLK as I’ve seen written in the past.

Farzanah

IMO Doctors should not be describing patients as pleasant, or unpleasant, but stick to the medical diagnosis or opinion. I thought judging people in such a way had disappeared along with coded rude descriptions such as FLK as I’ve seen written in the past.

I had to look that up.

I might be a GOW soon.

A GP once said "Oh bless" to me when I said I was in pain.
🤬

Yes, our senior nurse practioner kept saying that in a consultation I had with her on a minor medical problem.

Some how, it undermined my confidence in her capability, even though I know it shouldn't, especially in her case where I know she is very capable.

That is not even unconsious bias, but very conscious bias!!

DH once received a copy hospital letter that began "Thank you for referring this charming gentleman who was mobile without a stick....." DH was 64 at the time, is extremely well preserved and active and was most insulted especially as the referral was nothing to do with his mobility which would have made the comment relevant. I told him not to worry but to hang on to the "charming" which of course he is!