I had a discussion with an old friend over the weekend and the subject of our mutual age came up. At 66 we acknowledged that we are old, as in seniors. But we weren't as sure when we would reach 'elderly' status. We concluded that somewhere in our mid to late 70s, we would probably qualify for that designation. You know, another 10 years or so from now. At least 10 years. Probably more.

Well, I looked it up when I got home and the definition of 'elderly' appears to be 65+. Holy $hit! That was a shock.

So, how many of you guys are over 65 and therefore 'elderly'? Did you know you are officially 'elderly'? And is that the right age for that designation?

They say age is a state of mind.

My mind says I am 20.

My body says I'm not. Then just laughs at me for thinking something that stupid as it gives me a cramp or some joint stops moving for a few steps.

I am 67 and don't feel "elderly", senior I'm comfortable with. My perspective may be a bit skewed, about 25 years ago I started wondering when they started letting 12 year olds carry guns and drive cop cars...

my dad is 71. has had 1 knee replaced, needs the other one and a hip done. but he won't do it cause his 1st 1 is still messed up. he can still get up and down on a creeper but he was a mechanic professionally for 47 yrs. he refers to himself as an "old guy or omf". when he goes out somewhere and people ask him how he is doing, he says "not bad for an old guy" and they laugh. he says " i ain't elderly, i'm just frickin old". he gets mad if someone says he is elderly. just like he gets mad when someone uses the word technician. he was a mechanic not a technician.

Just depends

I have two drivers in upper 60's and one is 70 .. work circles around my MUCH younger drivers

Every day

Yeah, 65 seems kind of young for some people to be considered elderly. But it works to an advantage in some cases, such as criminal law. In Florida for example crimes against people 65 and over can result in additional chargers "on the elderly".

Well folks, google the % of us males who make it to 80 then 85. Sorry to say at 65 you have a shovel looking at ya from the corner of the room.

Dont hate the messenger.

So yes, 65 is elderly just like 15 is still a teenager.

Should make some want to do more in life while they still can.

You are as young as you feel,
and I do not feel a day over 101 years old.

I'm 65 years old. One day, the wife and I were at a car show and I saw a cool station wagon. I commented on how I would like to have it and my wife said, eeew, that's an old man's car. I said what the heck do you think I am?

66 years old here and my body is pretty beat up from 33 years of millwright work in a steel mill. I raced three out of four weeks every month this summer and work hard at thinking I’m 29 years old. I’ve learned a few tricks that really help with three day Rae’s in 90 degree weather. If you can sit, sit. Stay out of the sun between rounds as much as possible. And watch the alcohol. I do 100% of everything on my car and race by myself so you have to use your head. We aren’t 16 anymore.

68 here or is that hear LOL.
I'm not 40 anymore and I do have some limitations due to a hip replacement that left me with lower back issues. % years ago I had a good wake up call after a triple bypass went sideways. 4.5-5 weeks in an induced coma, 3 weeks of rehab and about 14 months to recover from the Propofol and Fentanyl side effects. Quit the beer and smoking ( was quite easy after the above )
Finally winding the business down and hoping to start enjoying life a bit more

GEEEES! Who let all these old guys in here?

I'll be 66 the end of this week. Some days I don't feel that young, but some days I don't feel that old.

I closed my shop Oct 1st, 2018, coming up on 4 years now. Last winter was the first year I didn't have to be in the shop every day. This retirement thing takes some getting used to, but I highly recommend it to everyone.

Some people think retirement means you don't have to work anymore. That is not true. Retirement means your working for someone else for less pay, hopefully at a slower pace.

Elderly is that guy that is 10 years older then I am. As long as he is still living, I don't have to become elderly.

It just means to many of us we do a hell of a lot more but with zero pay. Odd concept.

63 today,

I have my good and bad days
But for the most part Im healthy, take no meds of any kind

Just days Im tired and dont feel like doing anything.

Retirement is 12 months away.
I can go now but financial adviser says its worth it to stay till vested at employer , And that day Sept 3rd 2023

Just turned 73, I had to look at that number for a few seconds thinking I’d better get going on my projects (cars) I’m doing my last job at work now (self employed for 40 years but at the shop full time since 1973). At 65 I figured I’d work till 75 or even 80 but now the ole body is saying NO, meniscus in the knees are getting me. My plan was to move all the machinery down to the shop (3200’) I built at the house but now I want to just sell the stuff and walk away, clean break thing. Dads 94 and still alert, his sister lived to 98, so I feel I got at least 20 years left. But dang 90! Now even old people call me mister lol. Funny thing, I lived next to a women’s college the girls looked old when I was 15 now those girls look like little kids in middle school.

I am only 64 but I can still say GET OFF MY LAWN!

That is funny.
I see "Elderly" as an old person that mumbles to oneself, shuffles his/her feet when they walk, wears plaid shirts and these dumb looking hats:

I guess it comes down to if you're using the word "elderly" as a noun or an adjective? Am I old or acting old......I think I'll act young and continue to fool some people and friends including myself

Shoot I was really down when I found out at a much younger age that I was an adult, now I have to deal with being elderly Thanks for this thread Dave.......NOT......(just kidding, it had to happen sooner or later...wish later but hey )

I've continued to do this just to keep myself from realizing I'm OLD and an elder. I can hide under a full-face helmet and no one knows I'm an elder until I have to have someone help me off of those things and help pick them up when "I've fallen and can't get up"

Mike

I have several friends, customers and neighbors that are over 75 and the still wrench, race, cut fire wood and whatever else needs to be done that can be done safely. They leave the chiminey cleaning and high gutters for me.

Hopefully I can find someone as helpful as me when I am at that age lol.