When are you considered old?
Apparently there is no single age when you are considered old, as it depends on context and perception. Officially, 65 is a common benchmark due to its historical association with retirement and social programs, but official definitions can vary, with organisations like the United Nations defining old age as starting at 60.
Public opinion also differs, with many people feeling that “old age” starts in their 60s or 70s, while others feel it is much later.
Some people consider that the age from 60-75 years are the “autumn” years of life, when people often start to welcome grandchildren.
A recent study in the UK found that 70 is the age where most people believe someone is considered old.
I feel old age follows “midlife”
(See my previous post) –https://amidlifeadventure.org/2025/11/03/embracing-freedom-at-midlife/
and my personal view is that the perception of “being old” can be influenced by location, relationship status, and a person’s health and lifestyle. Let me briefly explain why these may influence your interpretation:
Location:
People living in developing countries, with lower life expectancies, may quite understandably define old age as someone younger purely because they are expecting to die younger.
Some third world nations base old age on a person’s ability to contribute to society rather than a fixed number. The point at which they cease to be able to work and provide for their community is the time at which they reach old age and have to depend upon their “village” to support them.
Relationship Status:
Sexual satisfaction is strongly linked to overall life satisfaction, mental health, and social well-being in older adults. The emotional support and connection derived from intimate relationships contribute to a better quality of life and may protect against feelings of loneliness or isolation, which are often associated with aging.
I read a recent magazine article about Jane Seymour -the actress, now aged 74, where she stated “I honestly never thought I would find a really committed, healthy, lovely, loving relationship at this time of my life but I’m incredibly blessed that I have. 70 is the new 50!”
She goes on to say “Sex is important too. In my parents’ generation and I think a lot of people, they reach a certain age and they go “That’s not part of our life anymore”.
To this she responds by saying” I just think, with maturity you understand your body, you understand what feels good and you have knowledge, so put it down to that”
A Person’s Health and Lifestyle:
The two ages with the largest molecule and microbe changes, scientists have found, occur when a person is in their mid-40s and early 60s.
I think health and lifestyle has the greatest effect on age perception and affects people often more than their actual chronological age. People who maintain good physical and mental health, and lead active, socially engaged lives, tend to feel younger and have more positive self-perceptions of aging.
Research suggests that physical decline begins in the decade of the 50s and worsens as we age, especially for those who don’t exercise.
Hair and Face:
I’m fairly fortunate that my hair has been shades of blonde most of my life and currently it isn’t going grey or white and I don’t have to dye it.
I don’t look at my face and despair at the wrinkles or “crows feet” because quite honestly if they are there I don’t see them. I wasn’t brought up in a world that was overly concerned about creams and potions and loads of make up except if you did wear it “make sure you take it off before bed’ was what my Aunt taught me!
Smoking:
I’ve never smoked. Smoking creates premature wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion. It breaks down collagen and elastin, reduces blood flow to the skin, and depletes nutrients like Vitamin C. This leads to a gaunt, aged appearance that can make a smoker in their 40s look like a non-smoker in their 60s.
Alcohol:
Drinking alcohol can accelerate the aging process by damaging DNA, decreasing collagen production, and worsening age-related health issues
Alcohol contributes to cellular aging by shortening telomeres, and chronic or binge drinking is linked to faster biological aging and an increased risk of diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
The effects of alcohol can also be amplified in older adults due to reduced muscle mass and a less efficient liver, leading to stronger effects from the same amount of alcohol.
I gave up alcohol 21 years ago.
Healthy Lifestyle:
I read this article recently:
https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/healthy-eating-in-midlife-linked-to-overall-healthy-aging/
Whilst this study is based in America and I live in the UK I do feel there is some truth in it.
I gave up “takeaways” nine years ago.
I joined Slimming World eight years ago, gave up processed foods and since then have followed their food optimising programme. I will admit I’ve not lost as much weight as I’d like to and am currently focused on losing another fourteen pounds BUT it brought me into a world where fruit and vegetables feature highly in my daily food intake. Hubby and I regularly eat ten portions a day.
I was never the type of person who exercised regularly but the Slimming World Body Magic programme opened up a new world to me which alongside my local leisure centre brought daily/weekly exercise into my life.
Since 2018 I’ve attended aqua aerobics and aqua zumba classes. I did a couple of aerobics classes too before my knees started complaining but I didn’t give up. Instead I took my physiotherapist’s advice and switched to Pilates.
Hubby and I also walk a fair amount particularly when we are away travelling.
Interestingly I also watched the “IMO Podcast” with Michelle Obama which focused upon “Getting Old” and Michelle too said that “health is the key. It is important to have a healthy baseline so you know when something is wrong. Exercise, eat healthy but don’t overdo it” she said.
“It’s not what you look like, its what you feel like”
The Last Quartile:
Some people just cannot face the idea that at 60 they are potentially entering the last quartile of life.
In the UK, post the pandemic between 2021 and 2023, life expectancy was 78.8 years for males, 82.8 years for females so at 60, 75% of your life is already behind you.
Interestingly in the above mentioned IMO podcast Jane Fonda, now aged 87 says “At 60 this is the beginning of my last chapter. Be conscious of how you present yourself to the world. Don’t die with regrets but surrounded by people who love you” and Michelle Obama says “You know how fast time flies so be mindful of what you have left. You need to get to a point where your children can continue without you”.
Some credible thoughts -I’ve certainly started to revert back to more colourful clothes. For some reason I’d let my wardrobe become a bit staid and boring, maybe I was drifting into this idea that as you get older you should be more conscious of what you wear and dress according to your age.
More recently I was in a Marks and Spencer store looking to buy a new jumper and held one up to show my hubby before saying “do you think this is an old fogey’s jumper” meaning is this what old women wear? We both admitted it was and it went straight back on the rack!
I think getting to a place where your children can continue without you is a real blessing. You want to know they can survive and thrive without you. I guess we want them to be confident in their lives and settled, it gives us less to worry about.
Being in the last quartile also brings others factors to the forefront such as “have you made a will?” “Do your family know whether you want to be cremated or buried etc”. Have you, where possible, made provision for your other half so they can still thrive without you? What do you want to happen if you become terminally ill?
Life is definitely finite and once you hit 60 I do think you start to think more about the idea that you are not here forever.
When I was a funeral celebrant I saw first hand how difficult and messy things can be when there is no will or funeral arrangements particularly if you have a large family who might not agree. I also saw how horrible the remaining close relatives can be to one another where money is concerned. My Dad, bless him, taught me many years ago “nothing splits families more than births, marriages and deaths” and it is so true!
You might think you have nothing to leave but I’ve seen children fighting over the most trivial of things.
I also think when you reach this stage of life you should be far more self aware than you’ve ever been. My tolerance levels are definitely diminishing with age and I also find myself getting a little left behind with the rate at which technology, for example, is constantly evolving.
Keeping your brain active is important because otherwise I think it starts to dim like a light bulb going out. Even writing this blog keeps me alert and stretches my literary and research skills.
I read a huge amount, I’ve already hit 70 books this year with a few weeks still to go!
Travelling also helps me stay focused, it takes a lot of planning when you do it all yourself and also keeps me involved in the world around me when I am out and about discovering new places.
Staying at home sitting in God’s waiting room is anathema to me, I cannot think of anything worse.
Conclusion:
As I come to the end of this post I think the key advice I’d like to pass onto those younger than me is “plan your future”.
Make sure you are going to have enough money in your old age so you can still enjoy life. Never give in to old age, persevere, try and stay healthy, keep your brain active, have fun and remember “tomorrow is promised to no man”.
The photos included in this post are completely random and taken on our travels across the globe.
A Midlife Adventure 