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!

Several members of my family, and the very brave and wonderful lady, who saved my life when I was two, were over 100 years old when they died.

Henetha - totally agree! I’m only a few years behind you, but definitely feel the best is yet to come! X

😂🤣🤣

TerriS

Henetha - totally agree! I’m only a few years behind you, but definitely feel the best is yet to come! X

How do you find these old threads?

I think it different for everyone, I would say 90's is elderly.
I had my 60th birthday today
This is me

Debbi58 - you are a spring chicken. You look like Penny Lancaster

Pretty lass Debbi58. I reckon as how elderly is 10 years older than you currently are so for me it would be mid 80 s and for my husband 90 +! I have a friend who is 89 and she says 89 is the new 49, good on her !

I think I’m elderly now that I’m 78. Definitely that’s how I would be described if I were to have an accident. I feel a bit less strong my wrists are weaker and my balance is less good. Yes I do those balance exercises but not sure they really help. Y skin is thin and bruises easily. So I’m elderly. I think I accepted it when I was 70.

Just been walking with some friends. We had stopped for coffee then went to get bus back. Realised we were waiting on a bench outside nursing home We wondered if passing motorists thought we were escaping

I ll be 80 next spring and I m definitely NOT elderly far far from it I can still do more than many younger folk and my mind isn’t elderly I don’t dress or feel elderly we ll see when
I m 90

I think it is also a lot to do with one’s state of mind and level of activity.

My mother who died at 101 had a saying.

“I would rather wear out than rust out”

And I think she was wise. She kept as physically and mentally active as her body allowed her to be. So even when she got relatively frail, she remained independent and had a lively interest in the world.

So I would never really have described her as elderly although she clearly was.

I had an aunt who lived to be ninety nine, she died only six weeks before her hundredth. She always wore pastel colours and would never wear black or navy blue because she said it made her look old. She had a friend who was in her late eighties and was always referred to as a funny old thing.

I think it is always 10 years older than I am.

Gwyllt

Just been walking with some friends. We had stopped for coffee then went to get bus back. Realised we were waiting on a bench outside nursing home We wondered if passing motorists thought we were escaping

Gwyllt as long as no-one gently guided you back inside... 🧓🧓🧓

Husband and I were walking through our local park along a path when a group of small kids on bikes appeared. The little boy in front stopped and shouted to his friends "STOP!! Old people! " We laughed, but it was quite a shock!

Marydoll

In hospital in my early sixties, a nurse classed me as a geriatric patient. When I objected, he changed it to elderly patient.
I was not pleased at all!

A couple of months ago following a TIA, I had to attend a Stroke Consultant. The appointment letter was headed Geriatric Clinic! I’m 74 but other patients were, in some cases, very much younger.