Age

jackieb

I remember reading a newspaper article a few years ago, and it described someone as elderly. They were 56!

My parents moved into sheltered housing when they were in their early 70s, back in 2001. They moved out in 2002 because it made them feel old. They were told there had never been anyone who had moved out before.

It all depends on the person. My Mum is 81 and she still bakes, drives and she dresses well. Not dressed as mutton, but not polyester dresses either. I'm 45 and i'd wear her clothes if they fitted!

harrys_nan

Primrose wrote: »

Elderly is 20 years older than I am!

I think I'm going to use that as my guide as well, like that one x :rotfl:

jackieb

harrys_nan wrote: »

I think I'm going to use that as my guide as well, like that one x :rotfl:

If you don't feel like you're elderly, then you're not. At 67 I wouldn't regard you as old.

Bennifred

Beckyy wrote: »

In my mind it's when you reach an age at which you become less able, I don't think one age can make you it, the same way I don't think being 18 marks being an adult.

Noooo! Becoming less able doesn't necessarily have anything to do with age - I'm 54 and I definitely don't consider myself elderly but I am less able than many my age because I have MS. You're right about 18 year olds though.

PlymouthMaid

I remember when I was pregnant for the first time begin referred to as an elderly prima-gravida (first timer) at the great age of 26! I wonder if that definition has changed since 1988. Now that I am 51 I certainly don't feel especially older even though my students seem very young sometimes but I sense society categorising me in an older box.

True 'elderly'; in my mind does have something to do with health, frailty and confidence in interacting in the outside world. I see my Mum as getting elderly as she is beginning to show these signs at 73 and my Dad at 77 most definitely as he has advanced Parkinson's and now lives in a care home. The health, frailty and low confidence can happen at any age but old age brings them all together I suppose.

Toto

Well seeing as I've been 27 for some years and see no reason what so ever to change this status quo, I don't think this question applies to me

Vicky123

PlymouthMaid wrote: »

I remember when I was pregnant for the first time begin referred to as an elderly prima-gravida (first timer) at the great age of 26! I wonder if that definition has changed since 1988. Now that I am 51 I certainly don't feel especially older even though my students seem very young sometimes but I sense society categorising me in an older box

They were still using it in 1996, think they might have moved it up a bit now with so many having first babies in their 40's!
I've noticed a lot of famous people who are of pensionable age refer to themselves as middle aged but funeral plans are being targetted at the over 50's. My local pub offer cheap meals for the over 50's, seems weird and can't imagine many 50 somethings taking them up on it.

ellay864

My phone rang while I was out shopping recently...my ringtone is the Doctor Who theme (geek and proud!). This was about a week before the 50th anniversary special so very topical. Two girls of about 12-13 yrs old in the shop heard it, saw me pick it up and I heard one say to the other 'I love it when old people have cool ringtones'. I will be 50 in August!

System

Elderly = when your able to draw your state pension.

marisco_2

Judi wrote: »

Elderly = when your able to draw your state pension.

I know plenty of people coming to the age whereby they can draw their state pension, who would be horrified to be thought of as elderly. Being elderly is a combination of things nowadays. It used to be that when you hit a certain birthday, you had to act a certain way. Those days are long gone thankfully.

My guess is that you are elderly when you start to act that way. You dress old. Your health begins to go and you let it affect your outlook on life. Your mind closes to new ideas. So, "Old is as old does" as an elderly Forrest Gump would say.