Elderly is a way of thinking and acting, rather than a number of birthdays. The person who is rigid in thinking, unable and unwilling to consider new ideas, and rutted into acting in limited and old ways is elderly.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How do you define elderly? At what state of you life do you become elderly?
By Wayne from Huntsville, TX
I don't know if anybody really knows. Myself, I think after a person reaches their mid-fifties a lot will depend on their physical health and how well they have taken care of themselves. I have an acquaintance that is my age, but she has smoked since she was a teen ager and is also a fairly heavy drinker and she looks about ten years older than our 72 years.
I also have people tell me that I look about 10 years younger (they are amazed when I tell my age). However, mobility-wise I have a real hard time getting around because of pain. I was absolutely amazed when I was 55 and thinking myself middle-aged and found out that some stores were giving senior discounts to people starting at age 55.
I had always planned on being a grandma that aged gracefully and would be able to play, etc. with my grandkids, but health problems sure changed that.
I'm not sure there is a definitive answer to that. I'm 66 years old, but I feel like I'm in my 40's (it's still nice to get the senior citizen discount, though).
I didn't consider my Mother to be elderly until a few months before she died. It was when she needed my help to pay her bills and shop for groceries that I thought of her as elderly. Before that she was active and relatively healthy.
I believe "elderly" is a state of mind. Some people seem to be elderly in their 50's, and others are still youthful and vibrant in their 80's. I think the key is to stay as active as possible, exercise your mind, by reading, staying current, doing crossword puzzles, etc. Also, as much as possible, make a conscious effort to walk with the same strong, steady stride that you did when you were younger.
One becomes elderly when they realize and define themselves as such. Or do you mean when to define others as elderly? I'd be cautious on that.
The closer I get to it, the higher the age of being elderly goes. I would say anyone over 75 is certainly elderly. I have a hard time with 50- year-olds qualifying for AARP or anyone under 50 being a grandparent (but some are) .
It's definitely a state of mind. I'm 65--and probably (because I take more care now!) in the best health I've been in years--and work 12 hours a day (in my "retirement!). However, my "hero" is my colleague who also works (can't see why people retire), is an absolute ball of energy and is 87!
Yes, physical things happen, but that can happen at any point during life. I'm so fed up with the TV shows and commercials who present over 50 year olds as incompetent and just plain doddery. And don't get me started on how kids are so much better at computers. I've been quite competently using computers for over 30 years. We're a "living" group. Just remember we're the Baby Boomers!
Well I am 53, so I went to Goodwill, Wednesday, and try to buy some books on senior citizen day and the lady asked how old I was, she told me I had to be 60 years old to take the discount, So I told her as the casino, you only have to be 50 or older to get 50% off on meals there for senior citizen. My mother was with me, so I just had her to buy the books. My mother is 70 years old.
You are as young as you feel, I am 53, and I work in a Nursing home. I see 70 year old people that get around better than I do and look better, and they are only there because their children did not want them living at home alone. I see these older people that look better than these younger people and move about better also, this old guy that live down the street from me rides his bike every morning come rain or shine.
My grands- kids, ( ages 5, 7, 9, 11), don't even want to walk a block and 1/2 to school, they feel I should waste my gas on them! I make their butts walk! I will pick them up if is raining real hard, like storming, but usually I just let them walk, a little water won't hurt them.
It's a state of mind. Two people may be the same age and one may be looked upon as elderly. I'm 71 (closer to 72) and I take no medications whatsoever. I've never smoked and the only alcohol I consume is a margarita on occasion with friends. I see way too many senior citizens taking every med the doctor wants to give them rather than change their lifestyle.
I never felt elderly till I turned 70. I am almost 72. I still have a lot of energy but I have had several things happen in the last year or two that has slowed me down. I stay very active with gardening etc. but I made the mistake of smoking and quit 17 years ago. I still got mild emphysema from it. I also have asthma. If I wouldn't have quit smoking when I did, I am convinced I would be dead by now.
Of course nobody feels as old as they are; when you go to a class reunion, everyone looks old but yourself! haha
I want to know when I elderly please. Then I can retire. I'm 3 months away from 77 , bones hurt at time, do all my own chores, work part time ,legally blind so my eye doctor said for the past 10 years,take 1 medicine pill a day,so-so exercise, involved with family , live alone, use the computer had several BIG falls but all the parts that I was born with I hope to take with me when I go. Sure we are slower, yes my house is not sparkling clean, no my garden needs work, yes I can friends,relatives daily,yes I still WRITE letters or cards daily, and sometimes the days are too busy to think I added another day to my life calendar.No I don't have money , no I didn't have the cherish life but who guanteed that? Yes my skin is wrinkled, no I don't wear a wig, yes I make some home detergents like many of you lovely people share on this web site. Yes I check my own car oil, fill the tires with air but most of all I love being my age since all younger people say they love being around me. I am a great grandmother of 3,grandmother of 6 and mother of 5.
Age is all in the mind image you project to ours.
I think this is different with every person. I know some young people in their 80's and some old 40 year olds! We can't physically do some things as we age, but at 69, I feel younger than I ever have. Honestly.
