Words for those of us who are getting on a bit

I hate seniors sounds like a school group don't like pensioners or elderly
I have referred to myself an an old gal but prefer the randy one or even a new different one
Get really pipped off when I read about 'an elderly lady' who s about fifteen years younger than I am

My sisters adult children call their mum and dad "the olds".

I would not oblect to being referred to as an "older woman". Or, if in a group, we are "older women."

Older means some people are younger it does not define how old you are.

I do reserve the right to call myself a "Daft old bat" when I feel like it. Or a wrinkly but don't anyone else dare say that to or of me.

I get the feeling it is the 60s and 65s who don't like most of the descriptions used by young people to describe the older generation.

At 80 it has been decided. You are old there is no other way of looking at it. I'm flying soon with Lufthansa and taking advantage of their mobilty help for seniors those who can no longer walk as far as they could in their better days,.
I'll settle for old- or in Germany - Alte Dame which is polite better than Alte Oma which is not.

I suppose in Italy I would be La Vecchia (The Old Lady)

The trouble is we're talking about a huge age range, roughly 60-90, which can span two generations. If a couple in their early 60s are caring for a mother in her late 80s, it's not very helpful to lump them all together as "over 60s". I agree, Margaret, over-80s are old; their offspring are no longer middle-aged, but not "old" either.

My Dad used to say he was a recycled teenager.

Margaret X and grannyticktock - that's precisely my point - you've both hit the nail on the head.

We don't have a good word for the "new old agers" the ones who are still very active and don't behave as old and don't have stereotypical problems of older age.

I like the categories Go Go, Go Slow and No Go but would like to think up some better, more polite ways of categorising older people in that way. Its advantage is that it doesn't categorise people by actual age - so the champion cyclist of 90 would still be Go Go and the 62 year old with early on set dementia would be No Go. But those terms aren't that great to use.

BlueBelle - agree with you about the elderly.

Nelliemoser - I like wrinklies too! It's sort of affectionate.

I don't mind what is said about my age most of the time, I usually respond " I would rather by over the hill, than under it ".

Painted on the front of my house is 'Old Bird's House' so I guess old bird works for me.

I belong to a Facebook Group called "Old Farts and Fogies".

One daughter, calls us 'young old'! How about: YO, MO and VO! Leave you to work it out!! Have a good day,young at hearts!

Golden oldies is quite nice. Doesn't bother me. I spoke to someone recently and she said her family say shei s on one long holiday, it made me a bit cross because she like me has worked for over 40 years. We have earned our retirement.

I hate being referred to as an OAP. If I am joking I state that I am ancient and decrepit.

A Maori driver of a small tour bus once referred to 'the elder ladies'. It took a moment for my sister and me to twig that he meant us, but we were honoured. Couldn't call myself an elder here because of its religious connotations. My Dad was an Elder of the Kirk.

I can't think of anything I like that refers to be as being older as I always think of mt self as mid range, I am 70 +

To me 'elderly' sounds very old as does 'pensioner;. I think that goes back to when I was younger. I am 66 and refer to myself as 'older' Mind you I don't feel 66....I am just going out on a date...wish me luck...

I don't mind 'retired' but hate 'pensioner'. I'm not keen on 'elderly' at 65 but given the increasing ageism online there are far worse words being used.

I do think we need to distinguish between those in their 60s who are still fit and active and those over, maybe, 80 who are elderly frail - there are 2 generations here. My DGC find it hard to understand that the Queen is very old and her DC are older than me.
I have seen it described as Boomers (with Baby omitted) for younger and Seniors for olders which I find OK and can't think of a better general description.

When I gave birth to first DS aged 31 I was referred to as an "elderly primigravida" . So if I was elderly then what the hell am I now? It's all relative anyway my mum at 95 refers to the newer residents in her sheltered housing as "the young ones". Some of them are the same age as me.

Last year I was boarding a bus and the driver remonstrated with two young people over their behaviour. 'You might have hurt that old lady' he said. I went upstairs and sat for ten minutes thinking I hadn't seen another person getting on then......the penny dropped! Always brings a smile to my face........ To see ourselves as others see us right enough! Happily I'm totally with Anya in that I know who I am so no name tags required or found offensive.

My friend's children refer to us as 'the crumblies'!

I presented my senior rail card to the man selling the tickets the other day and he said 'oh you've got a wrinkly card, have you?' As he was polite enough to look surprised I didn't feel too insulted! Whenever I buy tickets when we are out I always ask for 2 oldies please, I'm 63 and OH is 70, not sure I'm too worried about what people call us. I quite like to imagine that we don't fit into any fixed category but I'm probably fooling myself.

When I went into hospital to have my first baby I was referred to as an "elderly prima gravida". I was 26!!