How old is elderly?

I have just visited 2 of my aunts, both aged 88, both living independently in comfortable houses they bought years ago and managing as well as they did 20 years or more ago. They still have all the mental capacity they always had and both use computers as a matter of course. They have activities and interests that keep them busy indoors and take them out into the community as well.

They are both unquestionably old but I am not sure I would describe them as elderly, the word is nearly always used to explain older people who are beginning to unravel a bit. 'He keeps leaving his keys in the door, but he is quite elderly'. Neither are either of them vulnerable in anyway, another description older people get lumbered with.

Of course not MrsEggy. If you had been planning to walk 20 miles I can see why the hosts might have questioned it.

DH and I were planning to walk from Paignton to Brixham (5 miles) via the coast path, but our hosts at our B&B doubted if we would make it - lots of steep steps up and down. To their amazement (but not ours) we did it in a morning. I am 78, he is 79. Are we elderly?

According to DGD1 (age 6), I'm not as old as nana as she has more of those marks on her face. She is actually lots more wrinkled than me but is only 4 years older than me!

Our younger GS announced rather solemnly to me the other day that I would die. Rather startled by this, I asked him if he knew when. "No", he replied. "It could be any time." I asked him if we should tell Grandpa. "No!" he said sternly. " We don't want him to worry." I found out later that his class had been to the village church and had been looking at the graveyard. He was fascinated by the headstones. Next he'll be asking me what I would like written on mine!!

Our lovely five year old DGS wants to know why we and his other grandparents, all of us in our early to mid sixties, aren't dead yet. As we have finished raising children, he couldn't see the point of us still being around.

True story . . .

On my 65th birthday, my grand daughter, aged 6, asked my daughter "How old is grandpa? Is he really old?"

My daughter replied - with a touch of truth "He's not that old. He hasn't grown up for decades." !!

When I worked at a hospital taking blood tests, a lady of 91 came in. She said she had been to see her doctor who asked her to come up to us, so she walked a mile uphill to get it done. She couldn't wait until the next day to get a lift as she was flying out to America to see her grandchildren!

Why are those of us who've around longer than we care to admit, bunched together as "the elderly"? Teenagers as a group don't get called "the teenagerly"! We are "elders", so there!

Hmm, I've been pondering about this lately . A friend asked me what I was going to do on my birthday since it is a 'big' one!
I've kept the weekend free with no intention of planning anything or lifting a finger. Happy to celebrate though. Being 60 is, I've decided, not my problem but it might be everybody else's !

I did ask one medical person what is the age below which a person may fall and above which they "have a fall". She didn't know.

I was lined up for an all-night student rave last week, until the host got ill and cancelled. I might be "crazy granny" there but I was invited. I don't feel "elderly" except when I want to sit down on a bus.

I'm 'As old as my hair and a bit older than my teeth' although I do sometimes find the mind is willing but the body says 'Bog off' especially when halfway through a marathon gardening stint or after walking up a mountain!

I'm 61, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm now middle aged.

Bijou Good for you! My Mum used to say something along the lines of 'I'm as young as my nose and as old as my teeth'.

I am 92 and hate it when people call me "dear" and talk to me as though I am past it. I have survived cancer and now my only problem is walking difficulties due to arthritis. Cook everything from scratch, am my own hairdresser, etc. The surgery phoned the other day to see if I was Ok because it was such a long time since I'd been in touch. I don't feel elderly. It is all in the mind.

Strikes me 'elderly' is when you've 'had a fall' as opposed to just 'fallen over' !

It's a state of mind. How does that song go? "To be young when you're a hundred, to be old at 17". I'm 76, born at the outbreak of WW2, yet inside I feel no different from when I was in my 40s. Thank God I enjoy reasonably good health, am surrounded by a loving family, a large proportion of which are teenage grandchildren. I also refuse to be cowed by technology (which is a great way to keep yourself basking in their admiration!!). To me, nothing is more aging than the comment: "oh, I can't be bothered with all that at my age."

I do not consider myself old at seventy five, my body is limited due to arthritis, but I am happy, live alone, quite contentedly; I have family, particularly the two daughters, who, with a school friend of fifty four years, are my best friends. I mix with those of all age groups, I walk around the village several times a week, admittedly with the support of a walker/chair with wheels; which I call "my hoss!" I do my own shopping, and will talk to anyone. I expect they think, "Here comes that dotty old girl!" But I don't care, I smile, they smile. I am approached for advice, sympathy, sharing and humour. I have spiritual beliefs, I look into my own motives and I love people. What more could I ask for? Blessings to all. Margaret.

Just back from the gym ,second session this week at 79. Do not feel old!

I suppose I am elderly at 83 but I am quite proud of my ability to look younger, certainly behave younger. I don't disapprove of the young and as for their music and language, I just don't understand it so it goes straight over my head! I've just moved house and that took a bit more out of me than it ever has before and I've moved a lot - technology isn't really my bag but I do Twitter and ebay and can cope reasonably well - so, to me, it is just a number!! (And all in the genes really!)

A neighbour of mine who is 92, was affronted because her doctor called her 'elderly'

I'm with Letitia on this one. Things have moved on since our grandmothers' day. I think of 97 as 'old' and maybe 87 as 'elderly', though I guess when I'm nearer 87 I might change my opinion... I'm 68 and still feel I qualify as middle aged (kinda..)

Whitewave, I have to agree and say that these days 70 is 'late middle age' although that implies a very long life indeed!

I just feel so much younger than my chronological age and hate the thought of being classed as old, much less elderly. Age is only a number after all. Surely it's how you feel, how much energy for life you have etc

I am 67 and still working which keeps me active .I tend to slow down but am busier than ever .I found a medication given by my GP caused me to have falls and affect my balance .Please read the leaflet of prescription drugs and doctors do not tell you of side effects like hair loss .Thats enough to get anybody feeling old,

Nonnie - when I'm not getting the response I feel I should on the phone over maintenance, repairs or delivery times I find a mention of 'over 70' and 'heart disease' works wonders. It seems to imply I might expire unless they pull fingers out and socks up and provide better service. Gets rid of charity phone calls too.

Agree with jing - have always thought of 'elderly' as coming before 'old'. Was amused around 60 whe passing a group of youths playing football in the street. One called to the others to stop kicking the ball as I passed saying 'Make way for elderly!' I thanked him for his consideration, smiling to myself at having a new title. Much preferred to 'old granny' or 'coffin dodger' which I've also heard.
Elrel (Elderly Relative)