At What Age Does Old Age Begin?
Opinions about when old age begins vary widely, but a recent study suggests that most people believe it starts later than their peers did decades back. This shift may be due to increased life expectancy and improved health in older adults.
A study published in the American Psychological Association’s (APA) journal Psychology and Aging found that people in their mid-60s believe old age begins at 75. However, as people get older, they perceive old age starts later. The study analyzed data from 14,000 participants in the German Aging Survey, who were asked the question: “At what age would you describe someone as old?”
The findings of the study showed that those born between 1911 and 1935 thought that old age started earlier, compared to the participants born after 1935. Dr. Markus Wettstein, co-author of the study, said, “For those born in 1931, the perceived onset of old age is 74 when they are 65. For those born in 1944 it is about 75 years when they are 65 years old”.
Interestingly, the study also found that as people grew older, they pushed the age they considered old upwards. At age 64, people said that old age begins at 74.4, on average. However, when they reached 74, they thought they were not old yet, saying old age begins at 76.8.
Women also perceived old age started later than men. People’s physical and mental health also affected the outcome. Those taking part in the study who were lonelier, or had more chronic diseases, or reported poorer health had higher chances of perceiving that old age began earlier.
The study also mentioned that the trend of viewing the onset of old age later in life has slowed in recent years. Wettstein said the increase in life expectancy and retirement age could be a factor that adults believe old age has moved upwards.
“Life expectancy has increased, which might contribute to a later perceived onset of old age. Also, some aspects of health have improved over time, so that people of a certain age who were regarded as old in the past may no longer be considered old nowadays,” he said, as per the APA.
Life expectancy in Germany is around 81 years at birth, a rise from 71 years in 1974.
“We should be aware that conceptions and perceptions of ‘old’ change across historical time, and that people are quite different regarding when they think old age begins, dependent on their age, their birth cohort, but also their health etc,” Wettstein said.
Many adults also remain healthier for longer. “As long as older adults are healthy, they might have the impression that old age lies still ahead of them,” Wettstein said.
While the study provides insights into the changing perceptions of old age, it’s important to note that these findings may not apply to all countries, as cultural views about aging can vary. However, the study does offer a glimpse into the evolving nature of aging and how our perceptions of it continue to shape our experiences as we grow older.
