Geriatric??

It is usually referred to as Age Care Medicine now; I have not heard the term geriatrics for a long time.

You are not wrong, Holly

I was classed as "elderly prima gravida" when I had my first baby at age 27!

Someone please tell me where exactly I fit

It's funny you should say that phoenix, I was thinking exactly the same this morning and came to the conclusion that I am old enough for them to want income tax, NI contributions and any other taxes off me that they can get but not old enough to actually pay anything out! It's all become a tad one sided hasn't it

Rather a bad choice of term, IMO nina although it is of course a medical one. If it's meant to encourage people to go for health checks, then for heavens sake come up with something else!

Nonnie it's all just labels, isn't it? I see those ads for retirement villages/apartments etc, and I find it quite alarming to realise that both Mr P and I qualify!

Add to this the fact that I won't get a state pension for another 10 years, so I will have to continue to work (hah! hollow laugh, I should be so lucky) then I feel it comes under the "insult to injury" category.

Someone please tell me where exactly I fit, qualify for older persons housing, but don't qualify for the pension, free prescriptions, eye tests, dental treatment, winter fuel allowance, bus pass...............

Disgruntled of North Devon

I recall whilst working in Oman for a contractor the term was used for anyone over 40.
This was back in 70`s.
Mick

I've always associated the word 'geriatric' with an older person who is ill - just looked it up and it is that (but it doesn't state what age is considered old). I think it does have negative connotations though doesn't it and maybe it has been misused over the years to mean any older person.

Nonnie - my brother maintains that it is always the next decade to your own that is considered old (and, of course, that will keep changing as you enter that decade )

I can remember, at the ripe old age of about 12, thinking I would kill myself when I reached 21 rather than get THAT old lol

nina I haven't been able to establish when elderly starts let alone geriatric! It surprises me when I see apartments for sale for the over 50s or over 55s which are for the older person. I'm not old yet let alone any of those other words and I'm older than the person you quote!

I would feel insulted. I wonder if they would call Joan Collins geriatric I saw her in the paper the other day dancing away.