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BERLIN — Are we getting older later in life? People dread the idea of aging, however, a new study from an international team of researchers reveals the definition of “old age” is changing. Compared to previous generations, people now put off considering themselves “old” until later in life.
The study, conducted by a team of researchers from Germany and the United States and published in the journal Psychology and Aging, analyzed data from over 14,000 people born between 1911 and 1974 who participated in the ongoing German Ageing Survey. Participants were asked a simple question: “At what age would you describe someone as old?”
According to the team’s findings, people in their mid-60s believe “old age” begins around 75. This perception, though, varied significantly across different generations or “birth cohorts.” People born later, especially those born after 1935, tended to push back the age at which they considered someone old. In other words, the threshold for being considered “old” has shifted upwards over time.
“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,” says study author Dr. Markus Wettstein from Humboldt University in Germany in a media release.
Several factors are driving this change in perspective of “old age.” With people living longer, the goalpost for what’s considered old naturally moves further out. Changes to retirement age could also have an impact. In Germany, the retirement age has gradually increased from 65 and will reach 67 by 2031. If people are working longer, it makes sense they may not consider themselves “old” until later.
What piqued researchers’ interest is that they found the trend of delaying old age has accelerated in recent decades but may now be reaching a plateau. While people born between 1911-1935 and 1936-1951 had very different perceptions of when old age started, there was little difference between the 1936-1951 cohort and those born 1952-1974. They speculate this could be due to a slowdown in life expectancy increases.
“The trend toward postponing old age is not linear and might not necessarily continue in the future,” notes Dr. Wettstein.
The study also revealed some interesting demographic differences. Women, on average, considered old age to start two-and-a-half years later than men did. This gender gap has gotten even wider in younger generations. People living in former East Germany, who have a lower life expectancy, tended to peg the beginning of old age earlier than their West German counterparts. Feeling lonely, having more chronic diseases, and worse self-rated health were also linked to considering old age to start sooner.
So why does it matter when we consider old age to begin? Our perception can actually have real impacts on health and well-being. Previous studies have shown that people who believe old age starts later tend to have better self-rated health and lower risks of heart disease and other illnesses. Conversely, perceiving the onset of old age as earlier is associated with worse health outcomes.
Researchers caution that if we postpone “old age” too far into the future, it could backfire by making people complacent about preparing for the challenges that come with aging. There may be an optimal middle ground in terms of health and well-being.
The findings also underscore how our concepts of aging are shaped not just by individual characteristics but by the social and historical context we live in. As life expectancy has increased and health in later life has generally improved, outdated notions of what it means to be “old” are being revised.
“It is unclear to what extent the trend towards postponing old age reflects a trend towards more positive views on older people and aging, or rather the opposite — perhaps the onset of old age is postponed because people consider being old to be an undesirable state,” explains Dr. Wettstein.
Of course, aging is a highly individual experience, and there’s no universally “right” age to consider oneself old. The fact that people are pushing back the onset of old age could reflect a positive shift toward a more nuanced, less stereotypical view of aging. At the same time, the study is a reminder that our perceptions don’t change reality — we still need to plan for the unique challenges and joys that come with growing older whenever we consider that journey to begin. Ultimately, the take-home message may be to focus less on defining “old” and more on living well at every age.
StudyFinds’ Matt Higgins contributed to this report.
Thanks for this article. It is a subject that we all are somewhat interested in, but the real truth is that it is too complex to be understood. I am 97 and have had a good ride but it wasn’t till I passed the 90-mile marker that I started to find any viable answers. We learn early that our body will age with time, and there are thousands standing in line to tell us how to find the fountain of youth. At the same time, we are told that each of us a one-of-a-kind and that is where the answer really resides. Even with our best decisions, there are factors that we have little or no control over with being the stress that comes with the generation we have inherited. By the time I reached the 95-mile marker, the changes to my vascular and nerve system that are vital to a healthy body and mind started to be realized. I was 75 when we entered the new millennium in good physical and mental health with no question about my remaining time, but I had no idea of the stress levels that would be ahead of me. When they close my box, I will give you an answer about the age to be considered old, and the longevity to be expecting. Ha.
All ‘studies’ are bought and paid for whatever outcome the purchaser desires. I read the headline and think… ok, this can be used as an excuse to raise the age of retirement.
I’m among a small percentage of mid 70’sers who has been young all my life. At 25, I still appeared as a High School Student. It became a joke. Since turning 70, I’ve sent the last five years engaged in one long term physical project after another. Now, beginning yet another. Oh, I’ve had parts and pieces that have needed corrective surgery but have always been able to spring back and recover in very short times. When i go to the lumber yard or any parking lot, I have made it a lifelong habit to scan the area and find someone who might need assistance loading or securing materials. During the long growing season of the south, I mow 14 acres weekly and seem to find the time to take on other projects. I recently spent a couple years helping an “old lady” realize it was time to move closer to family than 800 miles, helped her get rid of stuff, rehome some fur babies, find a buyer for her place, find a new place 750 miles to the north and pack and move her into a suburb near her sister. She is 4 years younger than I and she is a very old person, in so many ways. I’ve just had a little bout with skin cancer, actually started chemo yesterday and had a chat with my medical provider at the clinic and we expect a quick process. Two days ago at a gathering at my new self built home, a guest told me I looked 15 years younger than she was told I am and I just said I try to act younger. But, I am very aware of my situation, and while I appreciate my vigor, I am constantly marginalized by younger generations who, like the lady at our gathering, think I am much younger than I look but still consider me way past my prime. 35 years ago, my internist cued me in on Rheumatoid Arthritis, “Tom, you got it, you have a low activity job and if you don’t use it, you’ll loose it soon”. So, I decided to make my building hobby a full time position and changed my life then and I’m still going strong. It does take me an hour or so every morning to get ready for the day ahead, but I’ve learned I can walk and carry all day long, just can’t run anymore.
I am 77 years old, I wonder how the “HE double hockey sticks” do people think it ok to have Joe Biden and Donald Trump as presidential candidates. I have an amazingly active and intelligent peer group (similarly retired, age group). None of us think we have the physical stamina nor mental agility to be leader of the free world. What are we thinking folks?? Are these 2 old f’s the best we can do. Shame of the Republican and Democratic Parties.
This website should have a warning in its banner: “We will publish every scientist’s bad belch.” This website requires zero academic integrity. Put the word “study” in your title, and this website will publish it. Nowhere on this website does it say it publishes truth. It just publishes “studies”. Don’t be fooled.
I’m 85 and found the STUDY very informative.
Don’t be such a grouch.
Parents and brother died at 65. Me, never smoked. Stayed active. Worked 26 years as a cop then 18 as a fraud investigator until retiring at 67. Walk and bike regularly and play golf. I get regularly beat at the course by a 82 year old. I don’t think I’m slowing down significantly until 80-85 God willing.
I am 82. My mind is still bright and healthy and I want to do things. BUT due to a spinal back surgery that failed I am in pain ALL the time and that’s affected my bod in a huge way. I can’t lay down to sleep in comfort and am always tired. That surgery was a mistake..Much worse off now that before. That surgery ruined what’s left of my life.
I am eighty-eight years old. Retired US Navy and fifteen years as a merchant seaman. I live in a two-story two car garage home. Twenty-three steps up and down ten times a day carrying groceries, etc. I walk to the mailbox two blocks away on the main road twice a day. Outgoing mail in the morning & pickup incoming in the afternoon. Otherwise watch TV, read or email friends. Cook my own meals if not going out to eat. Outlived most of the American population. One per cent of Americans are over eighty-five. Live long and prosper.
My “Old Man” finally passed away as he was walking out to mailbox. It was a busy weekend for him since he was the host for a poker club and had lots of preparations to do. Up to that time he lived alone in a multi-level 3000 sq ft house which he maintained without help, drove to the market and prepped his own meals. He died at 102.
Interesting story. I just turned 70 this month. I remain active physically and mentally because I have two small (6 and 4) kids that keep me on my toes. It’s like having an old dog: getting a puppy invigorates the older dog and adds years to his life.
Some time ago I put a prefix on my age. So I am ONLY 85 and looking for another 35 unless the second coming comes first. In which case it won’t matter anyway.
Workout most days and still ski double blacks but I can’t keep up with the older Grand-kids, darn.
Blessings to you all.
Studies such as this with an N of 10000+ will help rationalize gradually raising minimum social security age to 72 or higher. A crucial immediate Congressional obligation.
I`m 77, and still work full time. I have slowed abit & when i go to my shop, i sometimes have to think why i came out there, where i put something and why i want it. Every day`s a blessing.
I am 73 and will be 74 in a few months. I am still working full time in a very busy career. I know if I retire and just do minimal activities, I will age quickly, so continuing my working in a career that is filled with new activities daily and having conversations about important issues is vital to my happiness and staying alive.
median american age male 37.4 years (2022)
No, no it is not. These studies are too short in scope. What they are trying to do is set a new precedent in retire. Full on eff off.
I believe it. I just turned 65 and feel no different than I did at age 40. I still work full time, hit the clubs on the weekends, workout in the gym every day, basically live the same life I always have. I in no way feel old. However, I do remember growing up, 65 really was elderly, when my grandfather was 65 he was hunched over and hobbled around with a cane. In those days, unless you were extremely lucky, you looked and felt like you were knocking on deaths door at 65. Of course, the lifestyle of that era likely didn’t help (working yourself to death, smoking like a freight train, etc.)
Hitting the clubs at 65? I suspect you mean golf clubs.
The 3 stages of retirement might be called the Go-Go stage, the Slow-Go stage, and the No-Go Stage – you want to die “young” as late in life as possible. You can keep working and playing hard through the Go-Go stage, deal more with agoraphobia in the Slow-Go stage, and require caregivers in the No-Go stage. With luck, you push No-Go into your late 90s.
I’m 79 and soon will be 80! For some reason, I would consider 80 as old. However, during my life, I’ve meet and known veterans between 70 – 75 who I would consider old. Bottom line, it’s how you feel and more importantly how you personally deal with old age. I will continue to function as I did in my 60s provided I. A get a nap in the afternoon.
I am 77 but my mind feels very young. My memory is fading, definitely and I am slowing down, but still want to get out and do things every day. I have friends in their 90’s who still drive, keep their own home and are sharp as a tack. Heredity plays a big part in how people age, but habits matter a lot also. I also know folks in their 60’s who seem ready to check in and have had enough.
I built a new house at 71, i wanted to prove i could still do it.
Question, Did you do the work, Building the house or just write the checks ?
“I have friends in their 90’s who still drive, keep their own home and are sharp as a tack.” This was quite reassuring to me. Thanks, Dennis. I’m also 77, and play pickleball and chess five days a week. I was expecting it to all end at 80. Maybe not.