Is age just a number?

[Shemadee]

An article in the paper recently referred to an "elderly" couple who were actually in their early/mid sixties. I haven't quite got the hang of being middle aged but definitely don't consider myself elderly. When do you consider middle age and being elderly begin! Can remember my gran in her 80s complaining about all of the old people in her nursing home!

[Nanto2girls]

I don't think of myself as elderly,nor does hubby.Not sure what I would consider elderly,maybe when we can't do a lot of the things we can do now.

[Glammanana]

I would personally feel insulted if someone referred to me as elderly,I actually don't feel any different as I did in my 30/40s (or even younger) lol.I think alot has to do with your overall attitude,I enjoy all the new fashions even though they are not for me I know what suits me and so does hubby,he is in fact 70 next week but to look at him you would think he was early 50s dressed in his denims cool shirt & deck shoes he looks quite the man about town really.

[Mimi]

Well it's quite clear "they" can't have it both ways
We are called elderly when we are in our middle to late 60s but yet this government has decided that we are fit enough and young enough to work till our 70s .
I always think of elderly as someone in their 90s.

[Daisy]

When I had my 60th birthday I dropped the phrase 'an old lady in her 70s' from my vocabulary - and I'm so glad I did, because I'm nearly 72 and am definitely NOT old/elderly or any other ageing tag you want to use!

[Elisi]

Well, I'm not quite ready to be called elderly yet! Nor am I ready to sit and knit



But a lot of this depends on how your health is. If you are lucky to have good health then you can be active and social and have your hair done, go to clubs, meet ups, all sorts, but if you are poorly, then all this stops and you begin to feel your actual age.

[Enfys]

Daisy, you and I are the same age! I certainly don't think of myself as elderly although I am to some people. It's a lot to do with attitude I think, we try to keep up with things, technology etc, in my head I'm still young...ish .

I remember, years ago, when I worked in a building society, two louts mugged me as I was leaving the office with the post. I think they thought it was money for the bank. I was fine....the worst thing was the report in the local paper when I was referred to as a "middle aged" woman!! I was 42

[Gemini]

Someone referred to my cat/house sitter as elderly. I was affronted for her. She's in her 70's and I certainly don't consider her elderly. My mum is elderly (86) but then she may not think so

[Daisy]

Daisy, you and I are the same age! I certainly don't think of myself as elderly although I am to some people. It's a lot to do with attitude I think, we try to keep up with things, technology etc, in my head I'm still young...ish .

I remember, years ago, when I worked in a building society, two louts mugged me as I was leaving the office with the post. I think they thought it was money for the bank. I was fine....the worst thing was the report in the local paper when I was referred to as a "middle aged" woman!! I was 42

Enfys - I've just checked and I have to confess - I was born 24 hours before you! I was going to say 'I'm older', but we're not using the 'O' word!!! Of course we're still young, but I do think there's something in what Elisi said - our health is the deciding factor. How awful being mugged, but shame on the paper for describing you as middle aged at 42.

[Shemadee]

It occurred to me that the journalist was probably in his/her twenties and at that age everyone over 35 seems old! Very true that it is more a matter of health than numbers.

[Skye]

Does anybody ever consider themselves as elderly? I don't feel any different from when I was in my 20's/30's! Obviously a lot is to with health, but also having a loving partner, a family near or far, interesting hobbies, maybe a p/t job to keep us busy. I' ve recently read that 60 is the new middle age, so we can put that knitting by the fire away for quite a few years yet!

[Gemini]

Yes Skye!! I can just about cope with the idea of being middle aged now I am 60

[herriotfan]

I'm registered disabled with a host of health issues but I certainly don't consider myself old, even if I do knit and cross stitch, which I hasten to add I've done since my youth!
I keep as active as my body will allow. I have days when I get very frustrated that my mind is still racing around like a 20 year old but the flesh has other ideas.
I'm young at heart and that's what counts!!

[Avo]

What's wrong with knitting! I'm in my 50s and I like to sit and knit - and i'm certainly not 'old' .

[ZIZI]

Shem I said the same thing when the BBC news site referred to a chap who had been knocked down by a drunk as elderly. He was 63 for goodness sake. I looked at my husband who is 64 next month and thought "mmmm am I married to an elderly man? Nah, annoying sometimes but not elderly"