At what age can a person be considered elderly? According to a study published in an article by the American Psychological Association, the perception of aging changes across generations. “Life expectancy has increased, which could contribute to delaying the perception of the onset of old age (…) Furthermore, certain aspects of health have improved, so that people of a certain age who were considered as old in the past may no longer be so today.noted Markus Wettstein, lead author of the work and professor at Humboldt University in Berlin (Germany).
The evolution of the perception of old age
For the purposes of this research, scientists analyzed data from more than 14,000 people collected as part of the German Aging Survey to determine how ideas about aging are changing. According to the findings, the volunteer’s age, gender and health status were determining factors in the perception of old age.
In particular, the research team found that as participants aged, their view of the onset of old age changed. For example, a 64 year old subject indicated that old age begins around 74 years old while a 74 year old person responded that old age begins around 77 years old. “On average, the perception of the onset of old age increased by approximately one year for every four to five years of actual aging”described those responsible for the study, who also observed differences of opinion between generations.
Beginning of old age: differences of opinion depending on sex
Depending on their gender, participants do not have the same appreciation of the onset of old age. Women reported that old age began two years later than men. These differences of point of view have become more pronounced over time. People who felt alone, older or in poorer health also tended to report that old age started earlier compared to participants who felt cared for, healthier and younger.
Following these results, the researchers estimated that older people consider that the onset of old age begins on average from the age of 75.
