"Elton John, who's seventy..." but what is elderly nowadays?

[So]

I've just been watching the BBC news and a piece about Elton John included the above phrase. The story was about him having contracted a bacterial infection whilst on tour. The impliction was, I think, "he's getting on a bit; could have been nasty".

So, what do you consider "elderly" to be, these days?

[ikarl]

So said:

So, what do you consider "elderly" to be, these days?

70

[HTP99]

What you consider elderly is down to your own age, when I was in my 20's, elderly would been any age over 50, I'm 42 now, my mum was 69 last week, she most certainly isn't elderly and nor do I consider her elderly.

I think it's also down to how old someone comes across, some 70 year olds act ancient, Elton John seems to have a young outlook on life (not in an uncool I'm trendy, look at how cool I am for a 70 year old way), he just doesn't seem old, my mum is the same, sure she gets tired more gets aches and pains, but she is very active, does alot of travelling, is very healthy and has a positive outlook on life.

The wife's nan died about 10 years ago in her mid 70's, she was an old 70, never happy, always moaning, never did anything, very negative, my 95 yo grandma seems younger than my wife's nan ever did, she has a positive outlook, gets out and about etc.

It's all relative I think.

[Dr Jekyll]

Elderly is 10 years older than your parents, middle aged is 10 years older than you.

[Riley Blue]

I'm 67 - 'elderly' is an age I'll never be as it gets further away the older I become.

[LordGrover]

It's a condition rather than a number. My Dad was not old until a couple of years ago - he's 84.
He was fit and active until he started to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome which made his hands, wrists and grip very weak. He struggles to even toggle a light switch. It's affected him terribly in a very short period of time - it's like he's aged 10 years in two.