BellaOnline Forums Family Senior Living Elderly Am I?

At what age do we become Elderly? I'm 61, Am i there yet?

Rosie, I don't know what the offical answer is, but I am now 60. A few years ago my oldest son told me I was elderly. I told him I must be - I was the mother of a middle-aged man. He immediately changed his tune, and hasn't put me in that category again.

We'll both have to see if others think we are elderly. I DON'T!

I may be gettin' older, but REFUSE to grow up

Love both your answers

I've seen people in their 30' act and look the part of an older 'acting' 50'ish - 60 person. On the other hand I've seen and enjoy much more the people in their 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's so young at heart it was contageous

Anyone can shave 20 years off, in appearance alone, by changing the colors or style of clothes they wear, hairstyle, excercise, the company they keep, etc.

I think what we feel on the inside easily carries over to the outside.

_________________________________

Elleise
Clairvoyance Editor

The question for me is "How young is young?" I often feel as though I'm eight years old! And that can't be good!

That all depends, Lori

Are you mature for your age at 8, lol? I think it's a wonderful attribute. But sometimes people like that tend to draw other people to them needing energy of their own. Sometimes that part can be trying.

________________________________

Elleise
clairvoyance Editor

I just turned 62 in Jan. and I sure don't feel old as yet. I just saw a survey done by PEW (can't remember their whole name :)) that had to do with the highest increase in internet users are in the 75 year-old range.

The division my age group is in was called the older boomers, rather than senior citizens, so I felt pretty good about that!

I have always felt and probably acted about 10 years younger than I am until I started living with my Dad who is 86. When he is gone, and I am living near my grandson, currently living in another state, I probably will feel younger again. At least that's what I hope.

I'm almost 60 and while the number sounds scary, I don't feel much different than I did at 30.
I think elderly is more about appearance and action than about a number. I see people in the nursing home where my father is that are elderly. The way they walk, act and think are elderly but in age, they may differ by 30 or 40 years.

You are kidding! I would have never guessed that; late 40s early 50s at the most.

Thank you. - Clean living. Pure heart.

I'll be 61 in April. I don't think I am elderly..
I also think age is just a number..
I have friends in all age groups...20's on up.
And Lynn you look terrific!

I don't think we should ever consider ourselves elderly as this seems more a way of thinking than a reality.

I am nearing 60 and feel very young and I'm very healthy. However, I had to go to the opthamologist today because I was seeing shooting lights in my peripheral vision. It wasn't a detached retina, thank goodness, but he told me I have the beginning of cataracts! Now This made me feel a little "elderly."

Rosie, I don't know if you got the answer you were looking for, but I have done some checking on this subject. You won't believe what you won't find out. But here are some:

1) Elderly and Senior Citizen are usually used interchangeably. So any time you hear the term Senior Citizen you can think Elderly. I did find statements that suggest 65-70 years old are Seniors, however Senior discounts start as early as 50, some at 55, most at 60.

2) Both are generally a state of mind. Health, humor, activity, etc, determine this. (I personally don't like most 'appearance' statements. My husband and both my sons were completely bald in their early twenties. I don't think that means they were elderly. Also, I don't think people need to color their hair. How often have you looked at someone and said "Who do they think they are kidding"?

3) The only location I found that gave a definitive age grouping was the US Census. One category was "Older Population" which included people 55+. The next was "Elderly Population" which include people 65+.

So there is no answer.

As Phyllis Diller said: "Maybe it's true that life begins at 50, everything else starts to wear out, fall out or spread out."

Thanks a bunch Granny, I was curious only because a nurse said to me "like you {meaning me} were elderly" it kinda blew me away. I don't feel any different, well some aches n pain maybe

Aging is an odd experience. As the inner spirit gets stronger, the outer body weakens. Maybe our bodies are like cocoons and they will be shed someday when our new and gloriously experienced spirits outgrow them.

I still feel young. And we shake our heads to realize that my husband will be able to get the senior discount or move into a 55+ community in a few years. It's just so hard to believe.

I am 64 and feel more alive now than ever, mentally and emotionally. Age is a state of mind, elderly is a person full of wisdom. I never think of an actual age when I feel a person is old, it depends on their outlook on life and many things. I am shocked that Lynn is the age she said for I see her as a youthful and vibrant person.

Thank you Phyllis. I feel youthful and vibrant. --- Except when I spend time with youthful and vibrant 30 year olds and I fade out.

Elderly to me is someone who shuffles along with a walker. I'm 63, work a 44 hour a week job, go to school full time, socialize with my friends, keep up my own home, cater to 3 cats..I'll accept senior citizen..saves me money sometimes, but elderly...NEVER! ! !

Way to go Granny, It's just a number

I'm 60 -- feel young inside so passing by the mirror can surprise me sometimes.
I am more active than i was in my 20's! I walk every day -- I even have 2 car-free days a week where I walk everywhere. My schedule is full of meaningful things now whereas I was just moving through life when I was younger.
Sheryl

I had to have catract and found from the eye doctor, it isn't an elderly disease -- even babies get it -- for some reason people associate with the elderly -- I was shocked when I was told I needed the surgery and I was a lot under 60 at the time -- I think mine was inherited, since my mother, my grandfather, my great-grandmother, and a lot of other relatives have had to have it done. So no, catracts don't mean your elderly, it just means you have a problem the eye doctors can fix nowdays. As for being elderly, some place says 60, some say 50's, so I think it is more what we think or how we can use the age to our benefit. If McDonald's will give me a lower price at 50, then I'll take it. This is from a woman who was born in 1945 and lives in a low-income place for elderly people, plus who has been crippled all of her life and now uses a walker. Inside I see myself as someone in their 20's! Not the person other people see me as. Donna Werhan donnaw@kans.com