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Are you elderly?

(92 Posts)
petalmoore Mon 01-May-17 21:22:09

I often rearecipes which include raw eggs, pâté, or unpasteurised cheese, which come with the warning that the resulting dish should not be eaten by infants, pregnant women, people with low immunity and the elderly. I often make my own mayonnaise. At 67, am I putting my health at risk? They never tell you how old "elderly'" actually is. I suspect it means "older than I am" however old you are. Can anyone enlighten me?

seacliff Tue 02-May-17 20:27:38

How I feel varies quite a bit. Recently I have been eating badly and put on even more weight, which has made walking fast/climbing quite a few stairs an effort. After an active weekend trying to keep up with younger family, I suddenly feel on the way to "elderly" and I don't like it at all.

It's made me determined to improve my fitness and eat less. It really is a question of my health and mobility. I know it's in my hands.

Deedaa Tue 02-May-17 20:20:37

When it comes to food safety they usually take over 65 to be elderly, but it is only a precaution. I eat runny egg yolks, pate and unpasteurised cheese and I'm not dead yet! I suppose at nearly 71 I must be at least elderly but I seem to see a lot of young people who seem much older.

Jalima1108 Tue 02-May-17 20:13:57

Oh no Sheilasue!!

The interesting conundrum is - we never know how someone else 'feels'. Does my friend who is the same age and seems very energetic and walks the paths around Britain feel like me and push herself through the agonies? Or does she feel more energetic and pain-free?

Sheilasue Tue 02-May-17 20:01:59

Age is just a number your as young as you feel

M0nica Tue 02-May-17 19:37:57

I think this is one of those let out clauses like the sentences you see on packaged food. 'Does not contain nuts but has been prepared in a factory where nuts are present', or something to that effect.

It means if you eat pate/raw eggs/raw milk, those responsible can say; 'Well, we did warn you that it might make people of your age ill', if indeed that is the result. Although I would like to see a legal definition of the phrase 'elderly'.

I think the answer is, use your common sense. If you are still fit and healthy, do not worry about it (I don't) but if you do have health problems assess the risks and make an informed decision

Grannycupcake Tue 02-May-17 19:11:52

An old lady died recently at the age of 117. She said she had two raw eggs every day.
Judge for yourself.

Jalima1108 Tue 02-May-17 18:24:49

I think it depends on how much is hurting on any particular day Anya
Some days I feel nearly normal.

Jalima1108 Tue 02-May-17 18:23:38

Sometimes I feel elderly and this evening is one of them.
I think it was because I was gardening earlier.

So I can't be elderly although I feel like it at the moment.

Wheniwasyourage Tue 02-May-17 18:21:55

My railcard says that I am a Senior, and I can cope with that, but elderly - definitely not.

annsixty, you know what they say; if you look like your passport photo then you're not fit to travel, so you could probably go wherever you wanted with no hassle.

NfkDumpling Tue 02-May-17 18:14:03

That's always worked for me Mattie. When asking for 'senior' discounts, DH always asks for "Two Wrinklies tickets please". It's never been questioned.

grandMattie Tue 02-May-17 17:37:35

I understand that "elderly" is 10 years older than one is now grin

BRedhead59 Tue 02-May-17 16:58:04

I am only 64 so defo not elderly!! - I do think one should plan for being elderly though. What if you have to give up driving, walking too far, using stairs, travelling abroad, eating certain foods, what will your backup plan be?

Juggernaut Tue 02-May-17 16:56:28

I'm 59, so I'm just a slip of a girl really!
When my great grandmother was 92 she used to take a neighbour for a 'gentle walk' along the promenade, as "old Mrs Underwood is getting a bit frail now". Old Mrs Underwood was 68, 24 years younger than my great nan!

grandMattie Tue 02-May-17 15:52:38

I once laughed at the "elderly" thing when talking to a friend. She was an A&E doctor and she severely told me that one was classed as medically "elderly" after 60! So that was me told...

Blinko Tue 02-May-17 15:48:54

Hi Mags1234 I have issues with my stomach, it won't fit into my bikini any more. Not decently, anyway. Does that count? Lol!

Izzywizzy Tue 02-May-17 15:39:23

I understand that Mags Having poor health takes its toll on the mind and body.
Some days I feel like I'm 90 in my body but 30 in my mind !

henetha Tue 02-May-17 15:18:27

I'm 79 with dodgy knees. I suppose I am elderly, but I feel very young inside my head and am endlessly fascinated by life in all its wonders on this fantastic planet.

Blinko Tue 02-May-17 15:05:01

Yeah, but no, but yeah but no....imo at 70 elderly is at least ten years' time. And 'Old' is wayyyyy beyond that! Older people, who are they? confused

mcem Tue 02-May-17 14:55:19

Following maags1234's theory my daughter with her complicated health issues is more 'elderly' than I am!

Anya Tue 02-May-17 14:54:50

I do! Yesterday I was OK today I'm elderly. In fact I'm a bad-tempered old grump. I've got hay fever, with a headache, I've cut my finger with a pair of scissors, nothing is right for me, the house is cluttered up with DH's birthday cards from Saturday and every time I go out to the garden the clouds come over and block out the sunshine.

Perhaps tomorrow I'll feel better and then I'll not be elderly....you see it's a state of mind and body ??☹️

Ana Tue 02-May-17 14:13:02

Sorry mags1234, I don't see how having stomach problems can cause sudden 'elderliness'! grin

keffie Tue 02-May-17 14:04:27

I am 55. I am a member of what I call ''The Saga club'' That is has far as anyone would ever dare call me. They can say I am a ''classic'' too. Anyone dared call me elderly even at 60/70/80 + better beable to run faster than me

MaryXYX Tue 02-May-17 14:00:17

I have a bus pass and I get free prescriptions, so I'm a 'senior'. I went camping at Easter for the first time in 30 years ... OK, I'm elderly and crazy.

mags1234 Tue 02-May-17 12:28:46

Hi, I think it's health related rather than your actual age, e.g. If u have health issues with your stomach.

David1968 Tue 02-May-17 12:28:05

When we visit our DS and family in the USA, we are called "Seniors". I love this - think it sounds better than "elderly"!