When do you start middle age - and when do you become old?

Answer 1

When you start asking questions like that you are middle aged, and when you forget what you asked by the time someone answers you are old

Answer 2

Old age cannot be defined exactly because it does not have the same meaning in all societies. In many parts of the world, people are considered old because of certain changes in their activities or social roles. For example, people may be considered old when they become grandparents or when they begin to do less or different work. In the United States, people are often considered old if they have lived a certain number of years. Many Americans think of 65 as the beginning of old age because United States workers become eligible to retire with full Social Security benefits at age 65. People in the 65-and-over age group are often called senior citizens. Starting in the year 2003, the age at which a person becomes eligible for full Social Security benefits will increase gradually until it reaches age 67 in 2027.

Middle age is a non-specific stage in life when a person is neither young nor old, but somewhere in between.

Answer 3

I recently read that 50, is the 30 of years ago. If this is true, then 70 must be middle aged. With the advances in health care, many people are living into their 90's. Now we have to find a way to care for these older Americans, as no one was expected to live so long after 65. Therefor the system breaks down in a person's mid 70's.

Answer 4

Middle-age used to be considered 50, but now "50 is the new 40." I would say middle-age varies from person to person, but because of modern medicine you could argue it's 55-60 years old. I believe you don't become old until you feel old. My grandmother is 82, and she is still as active and healthy as she was 20 years ago. If you asked her, she would say she's way past middle age, but not old yet.

Answer 5

If birth is point A and death is point B, middle age is about A and a half. You become old when you can't laugh at the world around you. You become old when you aren't amazed at the leaves changing colors and falling to carpet the ground. You become old when you can't find adventure because you just don't want to climb that hill. You become old when children laughing is an irritation, not an invitation. You become old when you give up.

Answer 6

Forget about middle-age and old age and just think about life! I've met middle-aged 20 somethings and young 70 somethings and I agree with the person who says that middle age arrives when you think it has! When my children started leaving the nest, I felt really middle-aged, but I've come through all that and now I'm young again! Take it from me - it really is all in the mind. We should stop putting people into labeled compartments and just see them as regualr people instead, no matter what age.

Answer 7

Well the average living age in the modern world has been raised quite a lot in the last 50 years. I would say middle age starts around 45 now...and as for old? You are only as old as you feel! I know someome who is 85 and she acts younger then my 60 year old aunt! It's just perception!

Answer 8

Middle age is officially supposed to start at the age of 38.

Old age.. well, you become old when you decide you're old. I discovered this when distributing Christmas presents in a geriatric ward. I offered one to a -- to me -- old lady of 96 and she pushed it away, suggesting that I might like to give it to an old lady instead, as there were many old ladies around who would appreciate a present at Christmas!

But sometimes the decision is taken out of your hands. Any woman who gives birth to her first child at the age of 35 or over is subjected to the indignity of being described as an "elderly primigravida"! This does wonders for her morale!

Answer 9

I start middle age first thing in the morning when I get up and think I'm too fat, how this happen? By the evening, I'm old right up until the 4th can of Tennents Super when I feel surprising young and sprightly again. Then it all starts over again the next morning.

Answer 10

The average life span is 80 years, so at 40 you're about half way through it. You never have to become old if you don't want to. Your body may age, but in your mind, you can be as old as you choose.