What is the Cut-off for "Elderly"?

[preciousjeni]

I was just watching the news and they called a 63 year old woman elderly. In the same newscast, they called an 80+ year old woman elderly.

60s isn't elderly to me. I'd say elderly starts in the 80s. What do y'all think?

[honeychile]

<--- geriatric counselor.


Some people are elderly at 30, some at 90. It depends on a lot on medical conditions, attitude, and the outlook on the person calling the person elderly.

My grandfather didn't pass away until he was 97. He didn't act elderly until he was in his late 80's.

But I do agree - 60 is RARELY what I call elderly.

[texas*princess]

When you qualify for a senior citizen discount, you're elderly... haha just kidding!

Ummm... I think elderly would probably kick in around 65ish? I don't really have an exact year that I would call elderly

[preciousjeni]

Maybe the better question (as suggested by honeychile) is what does elderly mean?

When I think of elderly, I think of a person who has decreased mobility, trouble eating, etc. It's someone who kinda needs some assistance with tasks that would have been easy earlier in the person's life.

So, with the way we're pampered in the west, I don't see people's abilities faltering en masse until the 80s. Of course there are always exceptions. But, overall...

[Peaches-n-Cream]

For me elderly is 75, but that is not etched in stone.

[mulattogyrl]

Originally posted by honeychile
<--- geriatric counselor.


Some people are elderly at 30, some at 90. It depends on a lot on medical conditions, attitude, and the outlook on the person calling the person elderly.

My grandfather didn't pass away until he was 97. He didn't act elderly until he was in his late 80's.

But I do agree - 60 is RARELY what I call elderly.

I didn't know you worked in geriatrics too! Or did I and I forgot? LOL. Elderly usually is about 65, but people are living longer and longer, so I doubt it stays that way. Plus many people I know that are 65 are not 'elderly' like we look at elderly.

[Tom Earp]

Elderly in Your 60's??

OUCH that does hurt!

[carnation]

It varies from country to country for sure. A couple of years ago, we were meeting our new Chinese neighbors and the wife said, "And this is our elderly babysitter, age 49!" We aid, "Um, how old do you think WE are?" and she said, "35" and we said, "We'll take it!"

[aephi alum]

I wouldn't say there's a hard-and-fast age cutoff. You don't suddenly wake up one morning and *bam* you're elderly. To me, it's more a matter of your general physical health and your outlook on life.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
I was just watching the news and they called a 63 year old woman elderly. In the same newscast, they called an 80+ year old woman elderly.

60s isn't elderly to me. I'd say elderly starts in the 80s. What do y'all think?

My dad will be 64 in Nov and he's FAR from elderly......

However, he will take advantage of the AARP discounts as provided.

I think it's a state of mind/health and not age related.

[James]

If you huff and puff walking up a flight of steps.

[AGDLynn]

If you huff and puff walking up a flight of steps.

That's why I take the elevator

[Tom Earp]

No, YOU are Smart!!!!!

Screw All Of You Damn Kids!

[ISUKappa]

Originally posted by SmartBlondeGPhB
My dad will be 64 in Nov and he's FAR from elderly......

However, he will take advantage of the AARP discounts as provided.

I think it's a state of mind/health and not age related.

I agree. My dad just turned 65 in March and I don't think of him as elderly at all. Nor do I consider my aunt (his older sister by 10 years) elderly either.

[blueangel]

Just 100 years ago, the average lifespan was 48. So, elderly would have been about 30 back then

I hate agism!