How old is elderly?

I'm in late middle age (68) 😉. I suppose when I hit 70 I might feel old but at the minute, I can't imagine that that will feel elderly which, as others have said, has a frailness component in it somehow.

In many societies an "elder" is a person who is respected for their wisdom and revered. It's only in youth obsessed cultures that the inevitable "ageing" that we all will experience (unless we are already dead) is seen in such a negative way.

I'm elderly. Or our children are sure I'm elderly.

Their latest is to call me 'boomer' (I'm wrong age, apparently that is not important) because I'm out of touch with tech.

Oh well, elderly boomer on this side of Heaven. Good enough.

I opened this thread and saw i had posted on the first page and had no recollection of posting on it but was about to post the same as I did....I can't tell you how relieved I was to learn it was an old thread and not me losing my mind!

I’m 73 and classed as a “moderately frail elder “according to my GP records!! I wasn’t happy with the phrase but apparently it’s my blood pressure medication and my hip replacement surgery .
My SiL said he forgets I’m old, when the other day we were talking about upcoming holidays , and I mentioned insurance being astronomical for over 70’s
But today having spent 3 hours in my much neglected garden I feel very old 😐

Back in 1966, I was in an amateur production of Dick Whittington, and the opening number included the memorable lines: -

What you see on stage is
The later Middle Ages.

I have decided that I am now "later middle-aged".

Possibly as people are living longer , the definition of elderly has changed . I’m 64 , fit and healthy and consider myself middle aged . My DM is 87 frail with mobility issues and possibly early dementia, I consider elderly.

It's not your age which determines your fraility, it is the journey you have had in your life. Trauma mentally and physically age you quickly.

You know you're elderly when they discontinue your blood group!