What Age Is Elderly?

It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of whether a person at the age of 60 is considered elderly, since some people may feel great to continue working, others can no longer get out of bed due to health problems.

No one can give a clear definition of old age. Some people believe that they are already old at 60, so they think that their life is already coming to an end. However, it is important to pay attention to the fact that older people still head big corporations, become presidents, run their own businesses, and so on. That is why people are still arguing what age is considered old. Keep reading to find out the details.

What Is Considered Old Age In USA?

Since it is difficult to unequivocally say what age is elderly, let's rely on some data. 65 years is the age at which US citizens are officially considered elderly. So, according to the Social Security Administration, about 90% of people over 65 receive Social Security Benefits. However, some people are still completely independent and work after 65, which makes age qualification a bit more difficult.

It is also important to note that some researchers look at this differently, estimating health and mortality (rather than life years). So, the researchers at Stanford University came to the same conclusions: if you are 1% or less likely to die within the next year, then you are considered middle-aged, if 2% or more -  old, if 4% or more, then you are considered as elderly or very old.

However, despite the fact that the definition of old age is subjective, according to official data, an American citizen is considered elderly at 65 years old.

Is 60 old?

First of all, it is important to understand that age is not what you have in your passport, but how you feel. While one person at 60 can no longer get out of bed, loses his memory and is unable to move independently, another lives a full life, runs a business, plays sports, visits restaurants and goes on vacation with friends. Can we call them both old? Hardly.

Moreover, in different centuries age is perceived in absolutely different ways. That is, in the 1950s, people of 55 were considered old, which now sounds unthinkable. Since that time, mankind has taken a noticeable step forward and achieved great success in the field of health care.

Also, age at different ages is perceived in completely different ways. If you ask a teenager if a 60-year-old is old, he will most likely answer yes. This will happen because he associates this age with his grandparents, who already look old in his eyes compared to him and his parents. People in their 20s and 30s already have some life experience and understand that 60 is the new 40, as people can still pursue their hobbies, run a business, work, etc. If you ask people aged 60-65 if they consider themselves old, the answer is probably no.

At What Age Are Women Considered Old?

Of course, this question is also quite difficult to answer, since every woman feels differently. However, it is important to note that, on average, women live 5% longer than men, which means they age a little more slowly.

An interesting fact is that women are much more likely than men to try to look younger. This is why they visit a beautician, dye their hair, do skin care and other things that help them look and feel better. Other women, on the contrary, accept their age and enjoy the time when they can relax and spend time with their grandchildren. So, while one woman may look 45 at 60, another may look 70. It is also very important to note that single mothers are more likely to look older than women who raised a child in marriage.

In other words, it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer at what age a woman feels or is considered old, since this is influenced by a huge number of factors, such as health, sports, lifestyle and much more.