My doctor called me 'An elderly Lady.'

I’m 40 (joined gransnet for a competition!)

I see 80 and over as bona fide elderly irrespective of how fit, glam etc

From 70-80 onwards... totally dependent on the individual.

MOOMOO haha! And needing a wee Now and can't wait for long!

I agree Venus
As they say it’s not how old you are,
It’s how you are.

I had a phone consultation with a doctor at Addenbrooks. She asked me if I could get someone to take me for a blood test. I explained to her that I lived on a nartowboat where there was no public transport and that I was more than capable of driving myself. I will be 70 in three weeks. I may be older but I am not elderly as she seemed to imply.

Remember a doctor referring to me as being an ‘elderly primagravida’ I was 25 !

A statement I frequently hear when attending a medical issue is 'you don't look it ' when asked to confirm my age .Should I be flattered {hmm}??????

Chronologically I'm 68 but in my head I'm 21 so my doctor saying they would be very annoying (Mind you my knees are about 70)

Sorry, I might be lowering the tone a bit here, but getting elderly doesn’t bother me too much. But the embarrassment of the involuntary bottom burps do, especially whilst out shopping.

Being called 'elderly' made me think that I'm nearer to God then I thought! Someone mentioned that I was being ageist, but the doctor could be considered that for using that term. Being called an older person sits better with me, In my head I'm still thirty! Health shouldn't automatically be defined by age but how you feel. There are fit eighty year olds and unfit fiftys'. It's also the first time I have been described as such. However, people do give me their seat quite often on the tube, so maybe the doctor had a point!

I too when receiving the leaflet for the jab, saw the phrase 'for older patients' and thought 'what a sauce'!

I prefer the term Queenager, I'll have you know!

Though I do have a t-shirt which says 'Too old to die young'.

Hi
Same happened to my mum, a few years ago, I think she was 90 at the time. Doctor referred to her as elderly.
When the appointment had finished mum turned to the very young doctor and said, I hope you nappy rash gets better . The doctor just looked at me in amazement. We then just left

My initial thought was - you were lucky to actually see a doctor. Our 6 are telephone doctors now. I’m seriously thinking of paying £90 for a half hour private gp appointment at a private hospital.

"Elderly" is a horrid word and I refuse to be it. Nothing wrong with "old."

My doctor did a double take once looking at his computer he said I'm just amazed at your age. That was about 8 years ago ... no one says that lately though. Fine, I'm still happy.

I must add I think we should be grateful to have reached a ripe old age, especially in these times so carry on ladies.

I have drifted through life without a care, feeling young at heart but recently feel "old" because I am about to have a hip replacement and that does sound old, I will be 80 this year and hopefully have a spring in my steps in a few months time.

Age is just a number. I believe you are as young as you feel. I know a few young people judging by their life style could be regarded as old. And conversely old people who could be regarded as young. A lot of it is in the mind and what you do with your life that is stimulating. Taking an interest in things, not looking at at a screen all the time.

When I was expecting my first baby at age 33, my GP asked whether I wanted a home birth or at the hospital. I wanted the latter and she had to give a reason for my wish to book me in, and she put down 'ELDERLY LADY'!

I took more exception to the comment ‘large build’ that was put on some notes recently. Looking in the mirror, I will only admit to being a little overweight!
At 81 I suppose that I am elderly, or even old, but my eyes, brain and body deny the fact.

Actually for me the killer word in the phrase objected to is “lady”

After a suspected GCA before Christmas and a complete mess up by the doctor during a phone check up He suggested changing my life style would help..ie do more exercise, eat healthy, lose weight especially at my age .....we have a cocker spaniel and love walking and I average 50 miles a week, I am a size 12 eat no meat but do eat fish and have mainlyvegetarian diet, and have never added salt to a meal when cooking ( you get used to it and then find when you eat out everything is too salty) ...oh and I am 67..... lol

I had to attend the Falls Clinic after a number of quite spectacular falls. They were wonderful but the doctor sent me a précis of our discussion and at the top of the letter it said Geriatric Unit. I was thunderstruck. I’m only 75!! Not ready to be a geriatric yet!!???

My 86 year old auntie (now sadly passed on) used to shop and run errands for her elderly neighbours in her sheltered housing.

Personally I think the term elderly isn’t pc any more. It paints a picture of infirmity and decrepitude and clearly that’s not the case these days. People in later life can be so much fitter, healthier and forward thinking than they used to.
I prefer the term older adult myself.

Littleannie
Rightly so