topic Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations in Community Chat

This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

lolakimono — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:23:21 GMT

From Time.com/money

If age really is just a number, what number marks old age?

Well, the answer to that depends on how old you are now.

Millennials hold the least generous views on aging, saying that you are old beginning at just 59, according to a new study by U.S. Trust. Older groups, however, put the starting point further out.

Gen X on average bumps the beginning of old age to 65, while boomers and the silent generation both agreed that age 73 is the start.

Here's how different groups defined "old" and "young," according to the 2017 U.S. Trust Insights on Wealth & Worth report:

The survey of more than 800 high-net-worth households defined millennials as being between the ages of 21 and 36, Generation X as ages 37 to 52, baby boomers as people 53 to 72, and the silent generation as anyone 73 or older.

Surprisingly, millennials were the most inclusive when it came to defining who is young, saying that only at age 40 does youth end. Of course, this means they think middle age spans only 19 years.

Gen X and boomers see people growing up quite a bit faster. Both groups on average say youth ends at 31, while the silent generation was more lenient, bumping the figure up to 35.

Asked separately to define the the age at which someone hits the prime of life, in terms of a person’s resources, potential, capacity and influence, millennials put that at 36. Older respondents--all already past 36 themselves--felt the prime of life came later. Gen X said age 47 was the prime, while boomers put it at 50 and the silent generation selected age 52 as best.

For another view, the Japan Gerontological Society and Japan Geriatrics Society released a study earlier this year that concluded the term "old" best applies to those between the ages of 75 and 89. People ages 65 to 74 could be thought of as "pre-old," while those age 90 and over earn the title "super-old," they said.

Negative opinions about aging can be a significant impediment to older workers who are looking to find new jobs or advance in their careers. That's a particular problem as longer lifespans and savings shortfalls have many people looking to delay retirement or work part time after they stop full-time work.

One piece of good news: AARP has demonstrated that young people's sense of what age is "old" can be changed pretty easily. As part of its Disrupt Aging campaign, the group questioned millennials on what age was old and then introduced them to people who were the ages they named. In an entertaining video, you can see how the youths all changed their answers to a much later age because none of the people met the millennials' expectations of what an old person should look, act or sound like. The signs they were expecting to see? Illness, memory loss, difficulty walking, and struggles with technology.

Meanwhile, a study by Pew Research Center several years ago found that many of the markers we associate with aging--including illness, memory loss and an end to sexual activity--are experienced by fewer older adults than younger adults think.

In the end, maybe we should just take comfort in the fact that age really is just a number and that what we think of as old now may in fact not be that old.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:25:44 GMT

Gen-x'er here, I think one is "old" at 70.

I considered myself middle-aged when I hit 40.

I guess I'm different from my other fellow Gen-x'ers.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

Laura14 — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:31:15 GMT

Also Gen X and I think they needed to ID these people to make sure they knew who they were talking to. 31? That wasn't even my answer when I was asked what I thought old was in college. High five to the millenials. 40 was my answer when I was their age too.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

Imaoldhippie — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:41:27 GMT

Nothing against you lolakimono, but I think this is a stupid, ignorant article and a waste of time.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

faeriemoon — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 12:07:26 GMT

I would love to see the video that changed people's opinions of "old."

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

CalminHeart — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 12:13:02 GMT

I'm a boomer in my mid 60s. I'm not old. I'm just getting started. I get to do things younger generations would envy. They can look down on older people if they want. They don't know what they're missing!

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

hopi — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 12:41:21 GMT

Sure hope tax dollars was not wasted on this.

Concepts of age and old change as a person ages.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

lolakimono — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 12:51:46 GMT

@faeriemoon wrote:
I would love to see the video that changed people's opinions of "old."

@faeriemoon

Add the (normal) beginning of the address in-

aarp.org/disrupt-aging/stories/ideas/info-2016/what-is-old-video.html

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

faeriemoon — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 12:53:10 GMT

Thank you, @lolakimono!!

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

millieshops — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 12:53:24 GMT

@ImaoldhippieNothing wrong with the article - as long as we readers keep in mind it's just reporting a survey of a particular group of people.

No survey speaks for individuals - we're talking people, not machines, so there will always be outliers in any category.

I am, although my friends and probably some here will disagree, a member of the Silent Generation! What makes me feel old is not often how I look in the mirror - it's losing the people who have been a part of my life for years and years. Right now there's a macabre contest in my mind for who will be #3 just this summer, not a contest I want anyone to win.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

Susan Louise — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 12:54:00 GMT

@CalminHeart wrote:
I'm a boomer in my mid 60s. I'm not old. I'm just getting started. I get to do things younger generations would envy. They can look down on older people if they want. They don't know what they're missing!

@CalminHeart I needed to read your post today...a much needed pick-me-up! I am 57 but feel like I'm 80. I worked very hard most of my life holding down 2 FULL time jobs with manditory overtime for over 20 years and had several health issues including being a lung cancer survivor.

In short, my wrinkles have wrinkles...oy! However, I have learned to accept them and think of it as my 'earning' every single one

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

faeriemoon — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 12:58:44 GMT

That was really interesting, @lolakimono!

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

faeriemoon — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:00:48 GMT

@Imaoldhippie wrote:
Nothing against you lolakimono, but I think this is a stupid, ignorant article and a waste of time.

I thought it was enlightened, inspiring, and definitely worth reading and watching.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

Pook — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:13:21 GMT

I think articles and surveys like that probably cause some to become old before their time! I know many younger than me (65) who are old and it's not wrinkles or health issues - it's a state of mind. If you think you are old, you will begin to act, dress and feel old! While I like the events where retirees from where I used to work get together, they can be a bit depressing when I see how many have become old in spirit and have changed the way they dress drastically to old styles, no longer exercise in any way, have quit caring about their looks saying I'm old why bother and shrug their shoulders.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

SilleeMee — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:20:43 GMT

I have nothing against any generation. However, some of the Millennial ideas or thoughts are concerning to me. I surely hope that they will be able to bring solutions for the aging people of our world. Millennials are taking over now and aging is the farthest thing from their minds.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

just bee — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:04:29 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I have nothing against any generation. However, some of the Millennial ideas or thoughts are concerning to me. I surely hope that they will be able to bring solutions for the aging people of our world. Millennials are taking over now and aging is the farthest thing from their minds.

@SilleeMee

Like the Revolutionary War was fought against France in 1984?

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

Sooner — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:05:27 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
Gen-x'er here, I think one is "old" at 70.

I considered myself middle-aged when I hit 40.

I guess I'm different from my other fellow Gen-x'ers.

Boomer myself. I think "old" is 65 and beyond.

I think middle age is 40 to 60.

I think youth ends about 25 to 28--it depends if the person is grown up enough to support themselves. When you're supporting yourself, you need to be a grownup.

I think a lot of people have a hard time with those numbers, trying to deny reality, but hey, 60 is not middle age unless you are going to be 120 some day.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

firewife — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:11:03 GMT

OMG, really. If you have your health every day of your life should be prime age

and enjoy every facet of that day. I am turning 60 in December and it's not an issue.

My health, thankfully, is better than at 30 (with 3 little boys and smoking.) Everything

in moderation and be thankful.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

firewife — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:12:27 GMT

btw, i stopped smoking at 37.

Re: This Is the Age When You Become 'Old,' According to Four Different Generations

ALRATIBA — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:19:25 GMT

I'm a member of the silent generation ... I'm not old yet. I'm "the kid" in my group.

Will definitely let you all know when I do get old.