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How Old is Old?
What we consider “old” changes dramatically with age, and our perspectives can be predictive of how well we age
Our views of aging change significantly as we get older, influenced by many factors, including our current age and health status. In turn, what we deem as “old,” and how we see life playing out when we become old, can affect how quickly we get there. I’ll explain below. But first, some numbers:
Millennials typically view 59 as old, while Boomers put the threshold at around 73, according to a U.S. survey that’s a little old itself (it was done in 2017). More recently, scientists interviewed 300 Canadians ranging in age from 45 to 100. On average, they pegged 73.7 years on the planet as the start of old age. People under 65 put it at 70.5, on average, and those over 65 set it at 77.4.
All this in mind, I asked a related question of my Facebook friends:
When you were in your 20s or 30s, what age seemed “old” and what did you imagine it’d be like to be “old”? And what do you think about being older now?
Among the responses:
In my 20s, 50 was old. In my 30s, 60 [was old]. Now, it’s just a number.”
—Kurt
I’m in my mid-30s and my mom, who’s in her mid-60s and still racing down hills on skis, does not seem old to me! I think of “old” as meaning 80+ (but I could still be convinced otherwise!)
—Elizabeth
I think I always thought of 60 being “officially old”. Still trying to figure out how to reframe that now that I’m there!”
—Colleen
60 was old when I was in my 20s and 30s. I’ll be 76 in a month and I’m still young!
— Mark
When I was in flight training at age 17, I noted in my training diary that an instructor I flew with was “Old, as in mid-50s.” Now that I’m in that decade, it doesn’t feel that old anymore!
—Christine
I’m surprised by the aches and pains and extra effort to do what once was so easy! I’m sure my grandparents and parents had/have the same issues, but they didn’t let on. It’s not for sissies!
—Carolyn
