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Is 75 young or old?

(106 Posts)
kittylester Tue 01-Sep-20 19:28:05

DH, at 75, has just restarted doing his volunteer driving for RVS, mainly driving people for radiotherapy.

Today, he drove a chap who said he was unsure whether it was worth having treatment at his age for a normally easily treatable cancer, hes 75!

So, is 75 young or old?

Smileless2012 Tue 01-Sep-20 19:34:29

I suppose it depends on your health and outlook on life. Your DH sounds as if he's a young 75 kittylester smile.

V3ra Tue 01-Sep-20 19:50:25

My mother-in-law had a hysterectomy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy for uterine cancer at the age of 88, then a hip replacement at 90.
She's currently 92 and has paid for her flight to Lanzarote with us next June (postponed from this year).
She's registered blind through macular degeneration and is currently staying with her daughter, but under normal circumstances lives in her own house with a cleaner and gardener to help.
She's definitely a glass-overflowing character ?

BlueBelle Tue 01-Sep-20 20:02:48

I think 75 is very very young ( I am) but having said that I don’t think I’d go through a lot of treatment personally of course you never know till you face it, but I used to think I d take what ever was offered but the older I get the less I think like that I definitely know I wouldn’t be opting for an operation at 90 but your mother in law sounds a right goer V3ra
I think we have to accept that life does come to an end and that the money should be spent on younger people needing major treatment

V3ra Tue 01-Sep-20 20:17:42

BlueBelle the surgeon wanted to do the hip replacement using a spinal shield rather than a general anaesthetic, which mother-in-law said she'd prefer, but she also has COPD so took his advice. She worked hard at her physio afterwards.
She was in a lot of pain before the operation but her quality of life is so much better now.
She's planned her funeral, chosen her hymns and written a poem to be read out, but is certainly in no hurry to go any time soon!

Urmstongran Tue 01-Sep-20 20:30:34

It’s not young.
But it’s not old either!

I tend to look at ages in obituaries. Any under 75y I tend to think ‘oh heck’. Any older, I relax a bit.

My dear mum was pleased for every year she got past the ‘three score years and ten’. That’s only 4 years away for me.
?

I suppose it’s all relative.

Tangerine Tue 01-Sep-20 20:38:39

At 75 you don't have to be old in your outlook.

Unless you are pretty fortunate, you are probably going to notices some physical changes by the time you are 75.

PinkCakes Tue 01-Sep-20 21:06:25

I suppose it's all relative. 75 is very old to a person under 40, but to a person of 95, someone of 75 is young.

I'm 61, and I think 75 is young.

Illte Tue 01-Sep-20 21:09:20

Alas my family mostly pop their clogs before that, so I'd think 75 was a good innings.

biba70 Tue 01-Sep-20 21:10:55

Just depends on the individual. How fit you are, and even more importantly, your mindset.

Oopsminty Tue 01-Sep-20 21:11:34

I suppose if we're being logical, 75 is old.

dogsmother Tue 01-Sep-20 21:32:46

Haha, this is my favourite thing.....age is no more than a number. Some at 40 are ancient and others at 90 the best fun to be with.

SueDonim Tue 01-Sep-20 21:42:10

75 is old in that you’ve more years behind you than ahead of you shock but it doesn’t mean your mind needs to be 75yo. My mum is 92, still lives at home on her own without any help, cooking every day and so on. She keeps up with the world, loves to read, loves to learn new things and does all the crosswords in the weekend paper without using the internet.

Bodily she’s a bit creaky (new hip & knee) but her mind is as sharp as it ever was. She says she’s not ready to go anywhere else yet - she wants to see her thirteen great grandchildren grow up!

TrendyNannie6 Tue 01-Sep-20 21:45:04

I don’t think 75 is particularly old, when I think of old I think 80 plus, but it depends on the health situation of the person

BlueSky Wed 02-Sep-20 00:27:44

Wow V3ra ! I do admire people 'older than us' who try harder than younger ones. I used to think 70 was old now I got there I think 80 is old but it's a movable feast! wink

BlueBelle Wed 02-Sep-20 07:45:23

I think ages have changed over the years I looked the other day at a photo of one of my grans and grandad they were less ‘modern’ than my other NaN and granddad but the photo must have been taken when they were about 60 or maybe before and they looked soooo old Granny was in a longish dress full size pinny on hair up in braids on her head grandad in a flat cap and pipe
I don’t dress mutton as lamb but I do keep up with the times with clothes hair etc still ride my cycle walk swim dig climb ladders etc etc some 65 s don’t do those things so I think it is all entirely dependant on your lifestyle and mindset

Whitewavemark2 Wed 02-Sep-20 07:53:50

I think the most important thing is to constantly exercise brain and body. But certainly keep active.

I’m reasonably active and try to exercise my brain.

Winter is a struggle though as I’m quite happy to hibernate.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 02-Sep-20 07:54:54

Anyone got a Fitbit? Apparently they “nudge” you if you have been still for a period.

That seems a good idea.

Lucca Wed 02-Sep-20 08:08:48

Whitewavemark2

Anyone got a Fitbit? Apparently they “nudge” you if you have been still for a period.

That seems a good idea.

I’ve got a cheap version of one and annoying green man buzzes and gestures for me to get up ! I have been known to tell him to bugger off. However I’m on 10k steps minimum per day in any case.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 02-Sep-20 08:47:05

Lucca

Whitewavemark2

Anyone got a Fitbit? Apparently they “nudge” you if you have been still for a period.

That seems a good idea.

I’ve got a cheap version of one and annoying green man buzzes and gestures for me to get up ! I have been known to tell him to bugger off. However I’m on 10k steps minimum per day in any case.

I am thinking of getting one to nudge me through the winter

Whitewavemark2 Wed 02-Sep-20 08:48:44

Whitewavemark2

Lucca

Whitewavemark2

Anyone got a Fitbit? Apparently they “nudge” you if you have been still for a period.

That seems a good idea.

I’ve got a cheap version of one and annoying green man buzzes and gestures for me to get up ! I have been known to tell him to bugger off. However I’m on 10k steps minimum per day in any case.

I am thinking of getting one to nudge me through the winter

DH just told me to get a grip and do it myself?

Hetty58 Wed 02-Sep-20 08:52:08

75 is old. Whether treatment is wanted for cancer (or anything) is totally up to the individual. There should be no pressure from others to accept it. We all die from something in the end!

Illte Wed 02-Sep-20 08:55:21

Love my fitbit. The best thing is it buzzes if you've got engrossed in something and have sat for too long.

Stops you spending hours on Gransnet. ?

Whitewavemark2 Wed 02-Sep-20 08:56:57

Blimey I’m 74 and have so much more living to do!! I won’t have done it all by 75.

I love life and all it offers and am not prepared to give up.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 02-Sep-20 08:57:28

Illte

Love my fitbit. The best thing is it buzzes if you've got engrossed in something and have sat for too long.

Stops you spending hours on Gransnet. ?

That’s what I need!!