The definition of old age is changing. Where someone might have been considered elderly once they hit 60 in the past, most 60 year olds might be shocked if someone suggested they were geriatric. Older adults are still spearheading businesses, running marathons and contributing significantly to the economy. The debate begs the question — what age is considered elderly in today’s society?

There are three aspects of aging: biological, psychological, and social. Most people transition through life stages in characteristically orderly ways, so in most societies, you would be considered an elderly person at the age of 65 to 70. This is the age when most people retire and start receiving some form of pension.

The normal aging process has five primary stages:
• Independence – this stage of adult life means that a person doesn’t need help with activities of daily living as they can handle pretty much all of their needs on their own.
• Interdependence – at this stage of aging, physical activity and mental health may be deteriorating, making cognitive tasks more taxing, and they may require some help with certain tasks.
• Dependency – By this stage of aging, a person typically cannot handle their ADL`s (activities of daily living) independently.
• Crisis management
• End of life

People who reach these final two stages of the aging process need almost 24-hour care and assistance.
Typically, the elderly has been defined as the chronological age of 65 or older. People from 65 to 74 years old are usually considered early elderly, while those over 75 years old are referred to as late elderly.

What is the difference between Old and Elderly?

Older
• An all-purpose comparative adjective for people, things and ideas.
• Means one that has a greater age than another.
Example: — He is my older brother. — (Greater in age)

Elder
• Nearly always applied to people, but very occasionally used for things.
• Is both a noun and an adjective.
• The noun means one who is higher in rank than another.
• Adjective means one who is more senior or higher in rank, order or respect by virtue of age, duration of existence, responsibility or influence.
• Adjective additionally means something belonging to a previous time or era as a matter of standard practice.

Examples:
Zaid is the elder brother to Zubair and Ziyaad. — (senior by age)
Cyril Ramaphosa entered politics in 1965 and is one of our country’s elder statesmen. — (senior by respect)
A religious elder is valued for his wisdom and holds a position of responsibility. — (senior by rank)
Much that was forbidden by elder custom is accepted today. — (Previous practice)