The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) defines the word ‘old’ as “old age living beings” or “existing for a long time or persisting in the state”. Likewise, it defines ‘older’ as “someone said: very old”. However, it does not set a specific age, a numerical number from which we can say that a person is old or aged.

Then, From what age can we consider parents? Although feeling old is an individual dependent feeling and, therefore, can be considered subjective, the World Health Organization has established the following distinction: people aged between 60 and 74 years are considered old. From 74 to 90 is old age, and from 90 onwards is old age.

This WHO qualification was strengthened a few months ago by a study conducted in the UK published by Treasure Path where the largest respondent stated that they are not considered old until well into their 70s, especially 76. In addition, the participants considered themselves 12 years younger than their actual age, and 38% thought that old age did not begin until the age of 80.

A changed concept

In fact, National Institute of Statistics puts life expectancy at 80.9 years for men and 86.2 years for women, which has also changed the concept of old age, and many think that 70 is the new 60, because people who reach this age assume that their health condition is very similar to their appearance until they turn 65.

This new conception means that, for example, the Gerontological Society and the Geriatric Society of Japan, the world’s longest-living country, have established new qualifications, aimed at ending ageism and visible fear. in the future already this age: old age (from 65 to 74), old age (from 75) and super old age (over 90).

Of course, the conception of old age is changing because the elderly themselves explain that the turn of the year is not something negative, nor is it synonymous with stopping doing something. And maybe one day people will realize this before they are called ‘old’ for the first time, and then they will know what ageism is.