Elderly?

I gave in when my GP referred me to the falls clinic at our local hospital and I was assessed by the Consultant in the Care of the elderly - ie geriatrician. I'll be 80 by the end of the year, so I suppose that figures!

I'm not sure that we get to choose whether or not we are 'elderly' - it is all in the eye of the beholder!
And let's face it - when we were under 30, did any of us know anyone over 60 that we didn't consider elderly, however well they were / looked for their age?

I did hear on the radio that they will only recall health workers who retired in the last year or two, not years or decades ago- that would be counter-productive! And it's all very well them keep saying that the elderly are the most vulnerable as if that's ok then!!

Elderly is a state of mind!! Not sure when I will be elderly, I'm 75 now. Maybe give or take another 5 years or so?

62 here, work in a pressurised environment. I have got a occ pen, but need to work to have a decent standard of living.
I also collect and look after my Grandson once s week to help help his Mother out financially.
I am not elderly and do not like to be called that, I am in good health apart from having sciattica.
I too have to wait until 66 and 6 months to collect my state pension. Even so I am one of the lucky ones, mortgage, car, and credit cards paid off. I am also in greater London where my partner and I benefit from a free bus and train pass. I never forget that I am fortunate, and some people who have worked as hard as me are not in such a good position as they had no works pension scheme.

At 55, l am a little below the "elderly" group but on the cusp. I do have asthma severe enough to need a long acting reliever as part of my daily preventative inhaler. I have realised that l would be vulnerable if l were to catch it. However, l refuse to give in to panic and am carrying on as normal.

I am 65 and was shocked to be called elderly..
Anyone else?
?

yaiyai Could you give some examples please? Pension Credit is much more generous than working age benefits.

Equally why are the Government talking of getting in retired NHS employees - by definition most will be in the more vulnerable categories

My thoughts exactly. Lucca.

As usual the government want something for nothing.......I worked in admin in the NHS for over 25+ years, wanted to go back part time after I took retirement, they told me it wouldn't be possible, even though it is a practice widely used even to this day. So I'm sorry I won't be volunteering to help out the NHS in this crisis.......the government gives us nothing so why should we pander to their thoughts and needs?

So what's new?

Moggycuddler, I'm afraid that you'll be officially 'geriatric' at the grand old age of 65!

I have also read that anyone brought back out of retirement to help the NHS will not have face to face contact with patients. They will help give information and advice on 111 for example.

Today they said that those older than mid 50s will be more vulnerable to the virus. Apparently as we age our immune system is less efficient and, of course, we are more likely to have other health issues when older.

It doesn't matter how fit or well you feel the fact is that people over 60, over 70 and over 80 are more susceptible to be seriously ill or even die from the Coronavirus. Once over 60 the immune system is not so good. Just look at the percentages of people who have died from the virus and the age groups. Anyone over 60 is in more danger than a younger person unless that person has underlying health problems.

Hear hear eazybee
'Elderly is someone who is five years older than me.'
Don't recognise myself in the mirror sometimes, I suspect thru failing eyesight tho.
I'd help but guess they wouldn't let me due to being 66.
Ex nurse and only just got my pension too and still PT working outside the NHS. Happy to do so as the country has given me a lot.

I am 75 yrs of age and my husband is almost 80yrs and neither of us consider ourselves elderly. We are fortunate to have good health, live a full life and look after each other well.
My husband who is a professional man is still writing learned papers.
I always say that if you have good health therein lies your wealth.

easybee, ?

Gummie, why should the Government give anybody anything for childcare? Whilst as mother of 6 it has been lovely to receive child benefit, it was our choice to have children.
I am incensed though that I have paid into a pension plan since I was 18 yet I now have to wait for a full 7 years longer than the terms I signed up to. A private pension fund would never get away with that.

Hmm I agree with all the above. Also if retired doctors and nurses are brought back we are generally 60 plus therefor apparently more susceptible surely? I now work longer hours looking after DGC than I worked in NHS so won't be able to help.

Seems that the government are going for 70 as elderly. This suits as they want people to work untill 68+

I suspect that elderly always mean quite a lot older than me

Yes they certainly contradict themselves. The state pension is allegedly a ‘benefit’ but not so when applying for anything available for those in receipt of a ‘benefit’

I am 76 and do not feel elderly. I agree it is double standards when it suits. If we are more susceptible, more may catch the coronavirus and yippee, fewer pensions to pay.