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Post by mimi on May 26, 2020 10:23:49 GMT -5
Since the pandemic started, lots of people have talked about the elderly. It makes me wonder what you consider elderly. Is it an age, dependent on health condition of the person, a state of mind or something else?
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Post by maurinsky on May 26, 2020 10:35:05 GMT -5
age + health/well-being (which may be partly a state of mind).
My parents have been elderly since they were in their early 60s. I have a staff member who is going to be 70 this year who I do not consider elderly.
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Post by mimi on May 26, 2020 10:46:01 GMT -5
I consider elderly a state of mind but it always shocks me when I hear people in their sixties referred to as elderly. (DH is 63, I’m 59.
I’m always surprised when I see people close to my age think of themselves as old because it never crosses my mind that I’m old.
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Post by jen on May 26, 2020 10:53:42 GMT -5
Two years older than my husband, whatever that may be.
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mare
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Post by mare on May 26, 2020 11:12:20 GMT -5
60 and over
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Post by stellarfeller on May 26, 2020 11:29:08 GMT -5
I think it depends on age and state of mind. My parents are both in their eighties and are elderly, but I think it’s only been in the last five years or so that I started thinking of them as such.
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Post by GiftOfFlavor on May 26, 2020 11:29:16 GMT -5
When I hear the word “Elderly” I think of someone who is frail and older. I don’t think it starts at a specific age in my mind, more their condition than age.
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Post by stellarfeller on May 26, 2020 11:30:20 GMT -5
Wow, really? My brother is 57, and I can’t imagine him being elderly in three years 😳😄 |
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Post by kimbelina on May 26, 2020 11:44:12 GMT -5
When I hear the word “Elderly” I think of someone who is frail and older. I don’t think it starts at a specific age in my mind, more their condition than age. This |
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Post by nansel on May 26, 2020 12:06:59 GMT -5
When I hear the word “Elderly” I think of someone who is frail and older. I don’t think it starts at a specific age in my mind, more their condition than age. Yep, this. I work with a lot of volunteers who are retired, and there are some in their late 70s I wouldn’t call elderly . But I’ve also known people in their 60s who are physically frail and act “old”, and I would describe them as such. |
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Post by mimi on May 26, 2020 12:10:52 GMT -5
That would make my husband elderly & me elderly next year. My oldest grandson said last year that most people (I’m assuming his friends) think of grandmas as an old person with a walker & that I’m not like that at all. |
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Post by shaena on May 26, 2020 12:47:19 GMT -5
I consider elderly as someone frail and needing protection either physical or mentally.
I suppose the officially definition for most is over 65 but I don't find a lot of 60 and 70's age group people meeting that criteria anymore.
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Post by villanelle on May 26, 2020 12:49:58 GMT -5
It's probably shifting as I get older. lol But in my mind if I must pick a number it's probably 70, though there are people younger than that whom I would consider elderly on an individual basis. And when I read the term, I assume it's probably meaning 65+ in a more official capacity.
My parents both turning 77 this year. They are still extremely active. Mom for sure doesn't trick me as what I think of as the concept of "elderly" and dad is maybe just starting to get there. Likewise, my MIL is in her early 70s and in no way looks, acts, or seems elderly. Her husband, in his late 70s, OTOH, very much does. So on an individual level, I think the concept of "elderly" is more about condition and behavior. But when used as a blanket term, I think 70 but I assume most users are saying 65.
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mare
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Post by mare on May 26, 2020 12:55:19 GMT -5
Wow, really? My brother is 57, and I can’t imagine him being elderly in three years 😳😄 It's more of an age range for me. I don't think of elderly people as frail necessarily. |
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Post by nansel on May 26, 2020 13:00:04 GMT -5
If we’re just talking age, then I would call someone a “senior” when they’re over 65.
Elderly to me is less about the number and more about health and attitude.
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Post by coachgrrl on May 26, 2020 13:31:47 GMT -5
Elderly to me is about 80
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Post by justthinking on May 26, 2020 13:48:03 GMT -5
Elderly to me is about 80 Somewhere around that age both my parents started looking frail instead of spry. That to me is the beginning of elderly. |
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Post by junebug on May 26, 2020 14:15:30 GMT -5
Yes, a "senior" may be mid-sixties, but "elderly" does imply a certain level of fragility.
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Post by Tpatt100 on May 26, 2020 15:23:05 GMT -5
It will always be anything ten years older than my current age.....
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Post by maxmammy on May 26, 2020 18:23:27 GMT -5
My dad is 80. He is really showing his age in the last couple years. I think he’s “elderly”. I’m soon to be 52 & a grandma.... I’m not elderly  |
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