Quote - "Cut pensioner benefits now, they won't be around by next election"

teddysmum

A group of us were discussing old age (real old age) yesterday, as three of us had a relative in a care home.


All agreed that we would not want to be alive, when we were no longer ourselves ie a shell, sitting in a chair or lying in bed with no dignity, but unless we go before we become unaware we are stuck with it.

teddysmum

Talking of people working later and later in life, always makes me think of stories in novels set in the early 20th century: Therein are references to 'poor old Mrs Jones ', who is worn out and 'hasn't long for this world'; she's about 40 .

lessonlearned

One of my grandmothers died at 52. Her death certificate said cause of death was "natural causes linked to old age"........This was in the 50s so not that long ago.

How times have changed.

ancientofdays

Thinking about what IS elderly, I am in my mid sixties, reached state pension age a few years ago but have not claimed it yet. Until a few weeks ago, was working full time but have just reduced my hours a little. I do get free prescriptions but have only ever used this once as far as I recall, winter fuel allowance and a free travel pass and always think that these could be removed easily if cost cutting strikes. After all, I do have a salary.
My mum, though, I think you could describe her as quite elderly, in her late 80, I feel amazingly fortunate to have my mum around at our ages. Though she is a very long way away.

[Deleted User]

I think that being elderly is when there are constantly creaking joints and aches and pains that cannot be relieved, showing that the body is finding it harder to cope. This could be at any age, we all know when that happens. It isn`t a mental state as tbh most of us still feel 20 in our heads, with a much younger outlook than in years gone by. It isn`t about being at work or retired, it is all about the body telling us when to slow down. The hard part is listening to the body and reconciling in our heads that we are indeed becoming elderly