My father, when he was 66, was super healthy and youthful looking. He came to clean, cook and look after my kids because I was hospitalized that year and took many months to recover. He would play pony with my daughter, and trot with her all the way to school. He drove my son to his activities, and whipped up all sorts of yummy meals for us all.

And now at 75 he has been diagnosed with a severe autoimmune disease which has made him incredibly frail and entirely unable to think of anything except his own immediate wellbeing. It's so sad.

6...7!!!

late 60s is not "elderly"
that's 80s, 90s

I think it's unlikely that you'd be elderly. To me elderly implies being frail. That is almost everyone after 80 and literally everyone after 90. Some people at 70. Not a lot of people in their sixties that I would call elderly.

The clinician’s perspective:

Age-Based Categories:
Young-Old (65-74): Generally active, independent, and healthy.
Middle-Old (75-84): May start needing help with daily activities (ADLs).
Oldest-Old (85+): Often require comprehensive care and significant assistance.

My mom was elderly at 67 because she had stopped doing most things, was in poor health, and was no longer really trying at life.

I work with multiple people in their late 60s who are not elderly. They are still working, and seem enthusiastic and invested in life.

Sometimes age really is just a state of mind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you considered "elderly?"

Teeth falling out.
Poor eyesight and driving
Eat less

There are a lot of ages where how old you are/seem really comes down to outlook. My mom, for instance, was middle aged at 30. She was elderly by 60. But it's like she wants to be. Her whole life has been about giving up early.

Meanwhile I have a friend in her early 80s who has more energy and puts more effort into life than many 40 year olds I know. I would say at this point she is elderly, and that change happened around 80. But she doesn't let on! She's slowed down but still living life to its fullest. And in her 70s she really lived it up. She's my hero.

And she's had health issues, too, serious ones. Plus lost her husband when she was in her late 50s. So it's not like she's just had it easy. But she keeps a positive outlook and never gives up on herself. I try to emulate that.

It depends my MIL is only 80. She is fine and good health but she has always felt old.

I met my wife in 1996 and got married in 1998.

Even in 1997 she say I am too old for that, I lived at that time three miles from her and we always had to come for her. She also dressed older and drive a small station wagon. She did not use a computer, smart phone, heck she went to bank branch instead of ATM.

She was only 55!!

When I turned 55 I had three kids at home, driving a cool car, traveling on vacations, doing college tours oldest kid. Working at a cool start up. Even now I just turned 60 just got back outer banks four weeks ago, going away this weekend, travel on business trips, I am just as active as when I was 25. Only difference I don’t stay out drinking all night or going to clubs.

I think age is mental. I did a ten hour drive two weeks ago, then spent three hours helping daughter pack and went out with daughter to dinner. My MIL at 60 barely would drive 15 minutes my house for her own grandkids party and would leave before it got dark.

Look at Trunp, Pelosi, Biden, Buffet, Bernie. They were 67 a million years ago.

Heck Martha Stuart in her 70s Is super hip.

Anonymous wrote:My mom is 68 and she is really living her life (hiking, traveling, learning how to use various apps like tik-tok). Her strive for living well after retirement has even influenced my dad (74 and still working) to go out and do things every weekend. She had a hard life growing up and worked very laborious jobs throughout her life. However, she did not let that get her down and it almost feels like she had a rebirth at 60. I would not call her elderly.

This is so great to hear. I have also had a hard life and am in my 40s now but I really want to enjoy life from here on out. I'm inspired by your mom -- that's exactly how I want to live.

Anonymous wrote:Not quite old enough to run for President or Congress.

I guess they still qualify for membership in Young Republicans/Democrats.

A few more years of living and they will finally have the maturity to lead.

Anonymous wrote:67

I thought this post was a riddle or joke.

My MIL seems much older (68) to me than her 71 year old brother.