My MIL is 91 and still maintains her house, mows her yard, kayaks and drives the old people to appointments! I never think of her as old.... but have met people in their 40's who seem old compared to her!

I work in a shop composed of seniors. A bunch of these ladies (and 2 men) are in their 80's. I am in awe of these old folks. I joke that I want to be them when I grow up (I'm 66!). Even the ones who have some mobility issues are still doing so much. One lady not only goes to the Y for swimming 4 times a week, she is in a quilt guild, helps at a quilt class and works full days (rather than just the 4 hour shift) with me at the shop. This summer she decided to jump in her car and drive to see her grandkids - 1,000 miles to the north! Being old just means you are still living, I think being elderly is just some name other folks might call you, it does not need to define you or stifle what you do.

I think elderly is 10 years older than my age at any given time. (I'm 72) :)

I agree, I am also 72. Some days I feel like 100, but I can still do everything that I could do when I was 18, in my mind that is.

To me elderly is 90+ . I don't think of myself (62) as elderly or a senior citizen. Most of my age group will live to be in their 90's and that's a long time to be considered elderly:) At the fair last year I had a guy guess my age and he guessed 54. He was speechless for a second and then said I had good genes and took good care of myself. I laughed and gave him a big hug and got my prize. Although I have gray hair, some wrinkle and a 62 yr. old body I think I look and seem younger because I am happy, cheerful, energetic and positive.

I agree with Endora. I am going to be 70 in Oct. I do not feel old at this point in time. Am still able to do everything. I am sure that sooner or later old age will catch up. :)

Gramajo I hope your lumbar fusion goes as well as mine did 3 years ago. Wonderful to be pain free. I'm in my late 60's and don't consider myself elderly - most of the time - not yet. It's the age spot, saggy skin, gray hair and wrinkles I don't like! But most times mind and body I don't 'feel' old. Just don't look in the mirror if I can help it! LOL

"Elderly" is a moving target! When I was 16 I knew my 62 old grandmother was elderly and old. When I was 50 I was sure that 80 was elderly because I don't think I knew anyone in the family who was 80. Well, I am 80 this year and I think elderly is a notch or two down the road. My husband is 79. We live each day to the utmost as we have hobbies that occupy us a lot (I quilt and sew and he builds model railroads), we both read a lot and keep up on current events. We are physically active. I still walk a couple of miles every day. We are careful of our weight and diet. We both have some health issues that come in later years. We are active in our church and community. Days are always full and ever too short. We love life. So, I guess, for us, elderly is still further down the road. Aren't we blessed!

Elderly is at least 10 years older than when I'm old.

Four of us lady friends had fun answering this question today at lunch. The consensus was that it is always older than our age, and usually a person comes to mind with mobility problems.