A study in The Lancet found that life expectancy was projected to grow in every one of 35 developed countries, albeit at different rates. The study concluded that by , women in South Korea will likely have an average life expectancy of over 90 years.
Researchers believe the gains are largely attributable to medical advances that allow people to extend their lives, as opposed to decreases in child mortality. So if the definition of "old age" depends on the average length of people's lives, what age is considered "elderly?
Stanford economics professor John Shoven looked at mortality rates for different age groups through time and suggested that "middle-aged" adults are those whose chances of dying within the next 12 months are one percent or less. That would mean that American men today would be considered middle-aged until they reach about age 60 up from around age 44 in and women wouldn't leave middle age until 65 considerably later than age 48 like in Similarly, Shoven suggested that an elderly definition could include adults whose chances of dying within the next year are four percent or more.
So how old is "elderly? How old is "old? However, there are a few commonly accepted ways to define old age:. Not surprisingly, everyone has different ideas about what elderly age is or when old age begins.
A survey by Pew Research Center found that Americans aged 18 to 29 believed that a person becomes old when they turn 60, whereas those over 65 said a person doesn't get old until his or her 74th birthday.
Notably, the same survey found that only 35 percent of people over age 75 said they felt old. And a survey by PayingTooMuch. Old age is often characterized as a time of loneliness, frailty, and decline. Conversely, it has also been described as a time of freedom, happiness, and affluence. Every person's experiences are unique. But such contemporary stereotypes about aging can have a big impact on the decisions people make and the attitudes they adopt.
In general, however, once you turn 55 you start to enter the senior age demographic. By the time you are 65 you reach the most common age for retirement from your job. However, an increasing number of senior citizens are working after 65, so retirement can no longer be a key factor in becoming a senior. It can be safe to say that after 65 you are designated a senior, regardless of your working status.
As noted, many fast food restaurants offer senior citizen discounts. However, that is just the beginning. Most sit-down restaurants and grocery stores also offer discount days for seniors. In addition, you can get a discount on airfare, sports tickets, hotel accommodations, and movie theater tickets.
Hair salons, tire service centers, and cell phone companies also offer senior citizen discounts. The AARP provides members-only discounts on everything from car rentals and resort stays to pet care and technology.
So why are there so many discounts for elderly persons? Seniors are on fixed incomes and often with limited assets that are to last for an unknown number of years. Yet seniors need to be able to live a healthy, happy life in retirement. To help seniors afford both the essentials and the extras, companies offer discounts for this age group.
In terms of senior citizen living and care options, there are three main types to consider. Seniors typically live at home, either by themselves or with a caregiver, or in a senior living apartment or retirement community.
Within these three types of housing are varying levels of care that are aimed at meeting the needs of seniors. A senior citizen who is able to live on their own at home requires the lowest level of care. They can manage their day-to-day activities including meals, transportation, and bill paying. Most often they have minimal health problems and are active seniors who may work part or full time outside of the home. In some instances, these seniors will have caregivers who live with them.
This might be a relative or live-in nurse. In most situations, but not all, a caregiver moves in with a senior citizen when they start to have trouble with daily activities.
This would be the type of living in which a live-in nurse is involved. A live-in nurse typically stays with a senior during the day, while leaving them alone overnight.
They do not live with the senior full time. If a senior is either unable or unwilling to live alone, they will typically transition to a senior apartment within a retirement community. These communities are highly diverse and include specifications, such as LGBTQ , golfing, luxury , religious , or military veteran senior communities. Within these communities, all of the residents are seniors over 55 who are active in some capacity. Seniors live in their own apartments or single dwelling houses within the retirement community.
They are provided with specialized services that allow for a low-to-medium level of care. For example, there may be an onsite medical clinic, physician offering home visits, and routine health checks. Geriatric care is a branch of medicine focusing on older adults and the health care needs of aging people. This can include nursing care, end-of-life care hospice , and much more. It carries connotations of the person being worn out, senile, or having a low life expectancy.
As you can see, there are many terms out there to describe an older adult. Some of them carry negative undertones while some are more neutral in nature.
Is there a specific time when old age begins, or a cut-off between middle age and old age? There are different ways to approach the subject of what age a person is considered a senior. Of course, the numbers themselves are subjective.
Senior citizen discounts might be given at age 50, or at age Retirement age might be 50 in one country, but above 70 in another. Again, these factors are not set in stone — retirement age can vary widely, and people can become grandparents at younger and older ages. People today are living much longer than they did hundreds of years ago, and even only a few decades ago. In Canada, the average life expectancy for males born in is 74, and 81 for females.
By comparison, the life expectancy for those born in increased to 80 years of age for men and 84 for females. As people live longer, the threshold for what age is considered elderly is shifting. If you look back in time, someone who was only 45 years old may have been considered a senior, but today that person is thought of as middle-aged.
Your parent might be a resident in a retirement home but still feel young at heart. Mom or Dad might be just reaching retirement age but be plagued by health problems usually experienced by much older people. It all depends on the circumstances at hand. In most industrialized Western nations, someone is considered a senior by the age of 65 or so. But remember: That number is based primarily on retirement age and the age at which social benefits kick in. We all have to define it for ourselves.
What are your thoughts on what age someone should be considered a senior? Have you had these kinds of discussions with your family members? We would love to hear your opinion. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dementia Care. Palliative Care. Self-Care Guide. Care Channel. Caregivers in the Workplace. Search Search. Tips on living a healthy and full life. Growing older: What age is considered elderly?
Understanding age terminology There are all sorts of words and terms floating around that are used to describe older people. Geriatric Geriatric care is a branch of medicine focusing on older adults and the health care needs of aging people. When is someone considered a senior? The bottom line: What age is considered elderly? Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.
Lena Lussier. In High school, College and university and work place. Theses days you get no respect from the young they figure you should respect them. Hate to see how they are treated when they are Seniors. This topic is very subjective. My mom is currently 74 but is going on In huge contrast, my friend and athlete, is I dress and look much younger than my years.
I think my friends and I look great for our ages - 50 is the new 30! Donna M. As a person who worked in a hospital 42 years before retiring, my perception of "elderly" age 65 and over is related to the physical condition of an individual , not chronological age.
Lack of mobility , frailty, chronic disease ,inability to care for oneself , and also an accompanying mindset preventing the individual from physically recovering , or psychologically moving forward , factor into my perception. I am not saying it is their fault or that their mindset is deliberate. Rather that their genetics and life journey contributed to the aging process , Whereas, others have been dealt a"a better hand" , retaining youthful attitudes and physical gifts great skin , athleticism , sharp mindedness, for ex.
Enabling them to enjoy vibrant life. Marie Grace. Hello Im in my 70's and work 3 jobs. My health is good and I consider myself still young. Thax, Marie Grace. I'm 81 and living in a retirement community. We have residents in their 60s to over Most who are my age and younger still go hiking, read professional journals or are Habitat volunteers.
Some still work; if not to earn a living, then to stay active. My attorney, who is several years older than I, still goes to his office 6 not5 days a week. I bicycle regularly 15 - 20 miles at a time. What I don't see is any discussion about treating people like myself, not just with respect, but with the same kind of respect given to adults under I'm not nearly that old.
I run 2 companies and I don't even think of my self as old. Key is That's simple. Key is: bodies in motion remain in motion … bodies at rest……. Sally Furr. My two older bro's were called "baby boomers". Meanwhile there was no categeation for someone born in mid-to late 50's like me. Suddenly I read "Baby Boomers" were born to Didn't read that until recently, so now I evidently qualify as a "Baby Boomer". I've been "carded" into my late 30's.
I've never seen the point of being categorized into ANY group! I'm just ME. Dated many younger guys who acted like "old farts" they didn't last long. Think these "categories" are ridiculous!! Marvin McConoughey. Thank you for an excellent statement on age categories. At the age of 83, I now consider myself to be very old. Alternatively, I view myself as aged, which sounds appropriately older than senior or elderly.
Functionally, I am also very old. My daily two mile rural walk is painful, my height has decreased several inches, and I now do daily exercises in addition to walking to cope as best I can with the aging process. Mentally, I remain sharp, though not as cutting-edge as in my youth. There has never been a better time in history in which to grow old. Oh my gosh. I loved reading your inspirational post. Thank you so much for sharing! I am a "senior" and my chronological age is 88years, I have many serious comorbidities.
BUT for some reason I do not look my age. There are days that I feel like I am years old, and days that I feel mid forties. I still live alone , do all my housework, cooking and baking which I like to do I do most of my heavy groceries on line and really like to go to my favourite Fruit and Vegetable store, weather permitting. I appreciate you voicing your opinion Margaret. I think that our 'essential self' never ages, even though the body does and we can have days when we feel we are years old!
I love your description of your identities, from Mom to watercolourist and carver. You sound like a Renaissance woman to me! Thanks again for sharing! Take good care, Jane.
Betty Harris. I consider old age when your mobility becomes affected. If you need a cane or Walker or even a wheelchair. I consider one elderly when they reach 85 and have significant health problems that keep them from every day activities like walking and enjoying the things they use to before becoming somewhat ambulatory.
Carol R. In many cases longevity is achieved by thinking positive, feeling young by keeping interested in life and keeping a social network. Helping others and keeping the body and mind in the best possible way sharp helps.
Age is just a number and if we're fortunate to be blessed with good health in our older years age doesn't really matter too much. Alfonso Munevar. Last month I became I feel younger than that number.
However, arthritis has being my companion for the last 15 years. I have always been physically active. Biking, jogging, walking swimming and streching every day. Had my knees replaced and and continue to be active at a slower pace. So when people ask my age, they say "you do not look that old, you look like ".
I do not feel that old either but my body reminds me -from time to time- that certain tasks are a bit difficult to do. Wonder if I am a senior or an elderly? I really get it Alfonso.
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