When does one become "elderly"?
 

When do you describe yourself - or someone else - as "elderlyy"?

I can't honestly say I've given thought to this, but knowing I've maintained my youthfulness better than most I know, I'd elderly, will arrive when I turn grey, need a cane for walking, and can no longer see without my spectacles.

As for "when" do I describe someone as being elderly? When I see an older person hunched over, walking slowly, with reduced mobility and having moderate trouble with simple motor skills such as opening a door, writing, or with tasks in and around the home, then I would think of them as being elderly, otherwise I always use the term, mature.

I just call myself "old" at 75! 76 on eclipse day!

I'm 74 and never though of myself as elderly until the last year. I had a knee replacement last fall and will probably have lumbar vertabrae fused in Sept. I am still not walking well after knee and my bad back prevents me from standing up straight. I sometime use a cane or walker when I'm out and will be on my feet for more than a few minutes. I am elderly now. :thumbdown:

i'm 58, I look a lot younger and act it. I did get a crystal candy dish, so does that make me an old lady now.
I have hard sucking candy in it. in the winter, my throat gets dry, so I have candy in it. haven't eaten any lately, it's been summer and the humidity is higher.

I figure as long as I have better things to talk about than my health problems, I'm not elderly!

Some people seem to age faster than others. When I think "elderly" I think of someone really old, or infirmed. But everyone is different.

I'll be 64 in December and for the most part still feel young. But on days my sciatica acts up - I feel ancient!

I was going to say when they 'walk old', but then I remembered I've used a cane so many times clear back into my 40's when my fibro was at full blast :)

I just try not to let my mind get elderly.

That's me, too. :)