At what age is it justified (not insulting) to call someone elderly.?

Answer 1

I am 62 going on 40, at least that's how I feel most days.
An elder, to me, is someone in their 70-90's. But when I was way younger it was anyone over 40. Times change.
If I were you I wouldn't call someone elderly to their face, they might try and rearrange yours. Key word there is "try."
To get down to the bone here, it is never justified to call anyone anything (insulting or not).
Try to put yourself in their position and you'll see what I mean.
Have a great day

Answer 2

The term "elderly" is misunderstood by a lot of people. I would never describe someone as being elderly, in their presence, because I don't know what their concept of the word is. I would describe someone as being elderly, if they are no longer employed and over the age of 70. I am over the age of 70, but I still work, 7 days a week. I don't consider myself to be elderly, overweight maybe, but not elderly.

Answer 3

I personally believe the term " elderly " should be applied to their physical condition, more than their calender age. There is no way I am elderly.....But the calendar might say so. I haven't needed a doctor in the last 20 years for anything major.

Answer 4

Elderly is 90+, I think.
I know so many people in their late 60's that are just starting to enjoy the good life. These people are in SHAPE too! Biking, swimming, golfing and vacationing. My in-laws have WAYY more fun than we are having now and they are each 68, I don't even think of them as 'old" never mind "elderly". Thats' such an awful word. I dont really use it at all unless referring to someone so old and aged that they have no idea what's going on and they are 90ish and ill-like. Good rule of thumb: Dont call anyone "elderly" but do respect your elders/anyone older than you.

Answer 5

60 isn't anywhere near elderly!

Maybe to a 16 year old it sounds elderly but not to a 55 year old!

I don't think of elderly until a person is over 80 years old.

Answer 6

You do well to ask. Generally, 'youth', by an older person, can be the first 70 years of their own life & the first 30 of other people's.

These days we have the baby boomers who invented the Peter Pan life. They are now in their middle youth - the eldest are 65+ and the youngest 48. Not one of them is elderly, so watch your step.

Answer 7

It's an individual thing. Some days I feel elderly even though I'm in my 50s but I had an Aunt who would go berserk if anyone called her elderly and she was 96!

Answer 8

Elderly means respectful. If I tell you she is an elderly lady it means she is to be respected. Its not an insult unless that woman hears it and doesnt like it. The person has to be above 60 or so I can say.

Answer 9

well I believe it depends on the health situation and physical and mental well being...at the present time I would say above 80 but if we can hopefully be able to use stem cell technology to treat Alzeimer's and Parkinson Disease and provide better managment of illnesses during old age so that people can have better quality of life and stay active and teach them better communication skills so that elderly spend more time with their families maybe we might have different criteria in the future...I do not know what might happen in the future...

Answer 10

I guess it all depends on why your needing to convey a person's age and whether that person is around and/or has an opinion as to how they would prefer to be referred to.

There are many older people who are very active, physically and socially. They're considered the "young-old". I wouldn't refer to those types as elderly because they don't see themselves that way.