Hmmmm, difficult question.
My step-father is in his 70's, but doesn't look or act old. Other people the same age as him definitely seem 'elderly', as do some younger than he is.
I suppose retirement is the benchmark to some degree. Once you reach compulsory retirement age it seems society is saying 'you are now too old to be productive any more'
It's not something I have ever really thought about, but looking at the question now I think 80 is probably the age at which I personally would consider someone to be 'elderly'.
I work in an organisation that support older, elderly, people. We are a national organisation we do not have a definition of old. We have searched government and other organisations for a definition and couldn't find one.
Our only remit is that 80% of our clients must be over 55 years old.
Not a lot of help but I will keep digging.
There are several tell tale signs for when someone has become elderly/old/older
1. The second thing they tell you is their age "I'm 83 you now."
2. They wear a coat in the summer
3. The women wear 'hairy' hats (don't know the name of the material)
4. The men wear ties on the outside of v-necked jumpers.
5. The men have more hair up their nose or in their ears than on their heads.
I'm sure there are more and I will return when I remember them (ooo senior moment :shock: )
I think thats the key.... age and ageism is always from the point you are at at the time.
I.e. a 10 year old will see a 20 year old as reaaaaallly reaaaallly old because it's twice their age, when in fact it's only a ten year difference.
Apply the same ten year gap between say a 48 year old and a 58 year old and the difference might not be so hugely apparent because the rate of development has slowed down.
Thanks HornyBear for voicing my own thoughts so articulately. I am just turned 60 and retired early to give myself time for enjoyment and my attitude to being old is 'fuck that for a game of soldiers'. Some people start acting elderly as soon as they reach their twenties. I enjoy the company of younger people better than the old; I am in an evening class of lively teenagers and get on famously with them though my sexual tastes run to older women. I don't quite know what I would do with a woman in her teens or twenties to be honest. Basically though I respond to people more than an agegroup.
Hi, I'm new here so hope you don't mind me butting in.
I was interested to read all the posts about this because it's something I've had a lot of involvement in recently. I work in HR and one of the things we have had to do is to take note of the new age discrimination law which came into force in October this year.
As far as working arrangements are concerned employees now have the statutory right to request working beyond the statutory retirement age and we
might be of interest to some.
Outside work, I guess you're only as old as you feel!]
:smile2:
The word 'elderly' brings to mind frail, needy, dependent and I hate all of these labels as I think we are just getting into a world where ageism is seen as something to be scorned upon.
Mum is around late 60s and she is no shape or form elderley though I think some people have the idea still if you are over 55 you are 'elderly'. :shock: :shock: :shock:
Sure it helps in the health service to label things but as people are living longer and working longer its difficult to know what is really elderly
The only one I know is that you get certain benefits over the age of 80
Great to see some really intellegent replies on this one; I frequently suffer the 'wrinkly syndrome' when adding in the contact columns yet sometimes swing with some friends, she 68, he 65 and they both shag like rabbits! And if you find big bellies a problem, just pop into my local Wetherspoons and look at some of the paunches on 20-something lads....! Perhaps attitude is the key, from we oldies ourselves to those who attach the labels. As for myself, I will admit to being old when my willie no longer carries out it's designed function...you may then shoot me!! Cheers, Guys.
)
haha.. ooh best have it in black please to enhance the tan I shall have from many trips abroad as a retired person! oh and yes please.... peephole with one clasp at the back for hubby to undo (he'll need all the help he can get by that age 
hwoar: 
..... he kept up with me for hours ... fabulous! you know who you are m8 :thumbup: ) and i have meet someone 10 yrs. younger who just wanted bang bang all night ....not me! which is why like to meet people around 34 - 45ish but i will chat to anyone who is nice and honest who i get on with and who can handle the type of person i am, who knows now and then i meet someone younger or older due to the fact that we get on like a house on fire!