My doctor called me 'An elderly Lady.'

There’s a bit of self deception going on here I think ?

I was 27 witzend and on my file in large capital letters was elderly primagravida
I had a rather bolshie Australian friend when I was expecting DS. She was expecting her DS at the same time and one day at the antenatal clinic in the British Military Hospital in Hongkong, she was left on her own in a cubicle with her clinical notes.
Of course she couldn’t resist reading them and was most put out to find that the Colonel obstetrician had written AWKWARD PATIENT in red letters across the top of the first page ?

I was thinking that you could have objected to the word "lady" as well. Do you think they put "elderly gentleman" on a man's file?
Of course the equivalent without "lady" would have to be "old woman" Not sure that's better!!

Ageism isn't about what I am called IMO, it's about how I am treated. Sorry but I can't get worked up about being called old or elderly because that is what I am. I used to be young but I'm not that anymore and I'm not middle aged either. I've recently had a health problem and I was much amused to read that my consultant had referred to me as a normally, fit and active woman in her 70's, if he'd substituted elderly for the last bit, I wouldn't have minded in the least.

i feel sorry for the younger woman who offered to do shopping for the older people in the close.
that was a kind thing to do, and may of been of real help to somebody who couldn't get out.
if we react indignantly it may deter such consideration in future. and someone who is less able than you, may lose out.
i had a similar conversation with a woman years ago who objected to being offered a seat on the train.
don't be so ungracious. be grateful, and decline politely. think of others. encourage good deeds.

I don’t like the term elderly, but I’d rather see elderly frail female on my file, even if I don’t feel that. Much better than seeing decrepit old woman!

I love that road sign, JaneAinsworth!

One thing that does make me feel my age (a bit, anyway). is realising how old dds are. The elder was 44 last week.

Still, my elder sister’s eldest is already past 50 so at least I’m not that old. Mind you I do remember - rather a long time ago now - being a mite appalled to realise that I had a sister who was 60 - eeek!

trisher Yes, that is how they describe older men. I have DH's hospital notes in front of me. He is described as a 77 year old gentleman

It is not the first time that has been written on his notes. I think the words 'lady' and 'gentleman' are standard medical vocabulary.

I was an elderly multipara when I had no.4 at the ripe old age of 31. I guess in those days people had babies at a younger age but I remember at the time I was mortified. I wonder what they call the ladies these days who have babies well into their 40 s? Ancient ?

I was an elderly prima gravida at 28. I wasn't sure whether I was going to be admitted into obstetrics or geriatrics.

We lived in a New Town then and when the midwife commented on my age I replied that I thought it would be a good idea to grow up myself before I had children. She looked towards the room door beyond which was a waiting room full of women in their late teens/very early 20s and said. 'I wish more of them would follow your example.'

I had an ecg and the dr said it showed slight changes to the heart which were not unusual for a woman of my age and that there me! I’m 63 and feel reasonably you no but he made me feel old!!

Elderly lady sounds a whole lot better than old woman ????

janeainsworth

Perhaps I should market some badges with ‘Old and Proud’ on them.

Great Idea

I always thought when you decide brogues and a padded jacket are the norm, you’re old

Back in the day of paper GP records that were held in a buff coloured envelope my friends GP practice used to write across the top of the envelopes in red ink OBESE PATIENT if they were considered to be so!

I am 76 and certainly don't think I'm elderly, I reckon when my memory has gone (it's going), I need a stick, that's if I can get on my feet, I might acknowledge I'm elderly, Oh, and if someone offer £10,000 to an elderly person I might succumb!!

Well I am fashionably, wear makeup and keep my hair nicely styled, but I won't take offence at being called elderly, because it is a privilege a lot do not get.
I nearly lost my own life, and I have lost family too soon.
Rejoice about getting older ?

Littleannie. I don’t think I would be bothered by the ‘elderly’ however I seriously would question somebody like you being labelled’moderately frail’.!

I would think ‘mature’ would be a better way to describe over 70’s.

On my 67th birthday I read of an ‘elderly lady being mugged’. As I read on I learnt the elderly lady was.........67

Several years ago when I was in my early 60s I went to the doctor with a neck and shoulder problem. He reluctantly sent me for an x-ray but said, and I quote 'at your age you must expect these aches and pains'.

According to my 5 year old grandson I am old.............very old - I am 63.

The word elderly is a reminder that age is creeping up and we need to keep standing straight and feeling younger as long as possible.

Unfortunately you can wear modern clothes, funky hair do, be fit and full of life, BUT after 60 we're classed as elderly My 42 year old son is also disgusted that he is now classed as middle aged. Just aim to go down with a fight and grow old disgracefully

About 10 years ago, I was arguing with the authorities about a supposed traffic offence I had committed. They had photographic evidence. This discussion was by telephone. I asked them to describe the driver. The person on the other end said " I hope you won't be offended but the driver looks like a middle-aged woman in sunglasses." My thoughts were "Yes, I'll take that". So I said "Yes, that does sound like me". I admitted the offense and paid the fine.