When is someone considered elderly? A new study has attempted to provide a more precise answer.
According to a survey of over 2,000 people in the United Kingdom, the age at which people start to be considered "old" is 69.
The result is expected to displease several well-known figures who are currently at this age, such as Tom Hanks, Kim Cattrall and Steve Harvey.
The study was conducted by the company Seven Seas, which asked British adults when they really start to age. In the past, other research has suggested that "old age" begins around the age of 62, but the new data shows that perceptions are changing.
Health and wellness expert Donna Bartoli says that while society is pushing the boundaries of "old age" further and further, many people are still not adopting habits that help them age healthier. She says that taking care of your health shouldn't be a long-term goal.
Big differences between generations
Other studies show that perceptions of age vary greatly from generation to generation. A survey of 4,000 people found that:
Baby Boomers set the start of old age at around 67
Generation Z sees this limit much lower.
According to Gen Z, people in their 60s, including figures like Michelle Obama and Brad Pitt, are now considered "over the young age line."
In fact, this generation thinks that:
Mental decline begins around age 62
Adapting to technology becomes difficult around age 59
Fashion sense "disappears" around age 56
Age stereotypes and prejudices
A large portion of young people (18–29 years old) say they do not expect to look good when they get older and think that in old age, social life weakens and health deteriorates.
Among the most used expressions for the elderly are:
"Stuck in habits"
"Dressed like a young man, but old"
“You are too old for this”
"Dinosaur"
“Over the hill” (over the hill)
However, young people do not only have negative attitudes. In some cases, they show more openness to hiring older people than older generations, seeing experience as valuable.
The problem of ageism
The "Age Without Limits" campaign, which aims to combat age discrimination, emphasizes that prejudice against aging begins at a young age and affects the way people see their future.
Experts warn that these stereotypes create a distorted view of aging, making it seem more negative than it actually is.
In the end, the main message of the study is clear: age may be a different number for everyone, but the way we perceive it directly affects how we age. /GazetaExpress/
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