We often hear that 60 is the new 50 and, more recently, that 70 is the new 60.
Now, a new study suggests that people actually believe that “old age” begins later in life than earlier.
Scientists have found that older adults now believe that this period of life refers to age 74 or older.
We often hear that 60 is the new 50 and, more recently, that 70 is the new 60. Now, a new study suggests that people actually believe that “old age” begins later in life than earlier. In the photo, supermodel Christie Brinkley, 70 years old.
Scientists have found that older adults now believe that this period of life refers to age 74 or older. In the photo, John Travolta, 70 years old.
And this has increased over the years, suggesting that people who were once considered “old” in the past may not be so today.
A team from Humboldt University in Berlin examined data from 14,056 participants in the German Survey on Aging.
This is a long-term study that includes people living in Germany and born between 1911 and 1974.
Participants answered survey questions up to eight times over 25 years, when they were between the ages of 40 and 100.
Additional participants were recruited during the study period as subsequent generations entered middle and old age.
Among the many questions survey participants answered was: “At what age would you describe someone as old?”
The researchers found that, compared to earlier-born participants, later-born participants reported later perceived aging.
For example, when participants born in 1911 were 65 years old, they set the onset of old age at 71 years old.
On the other hand, when participants born in 1956 were 65 years old, they set the onset of old age at 74.
Study author Markus Wettstein said: “Life expectancy has increased, which could contribute to a later perception of old age.”
“In addition, some aspects of health have improved over time, so that people of a certain age who in the past were considered old are no longer old today.”
The researchers also found that as individuals aged, their perception of the onset of old age regressed.
At age 64, the average participant said old age began at 74.7. But when they were 74 years old, they said that old age began at 76.8 years.
A new study suggests that people actually believe that “old age” begins later in life than earlier. Scientists have found that older adults now believe that this period of life refers to age 74 or older.
Finally, the team examined how individual characteristics such as gender and health contributed to differences in the perception of old age.
They found that women, on average, said that old age began two years later than men and that the difference between men and women had increased over time.
They also found that people who reported being lonelier, in poorer health, and feeling older said that old age began earlier, on average, than those who were less lonely, had better health, and felt younger.
The findings were published in the journal. Psychology and aging.