Elderly age classification
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Chronological Age Standards for Elderly Age Classification
The definition of "elderly" varies across research, policy, and clinical practice. Traditionally, many countries and studies have used 65 years and older as the threshold for elderly age, with further subdivisions such as "early elderly" (65–74 years) and "late elderly" (75+ years) 789. However, recent evidence suggests that this cutoff may be outdated. For example, improvements in health and functional independence have led some researchers to recommend raising the threshold for elderly classification to 75 years and above . The World Health Organization has also updated its age standards, now defining "elderly" as ages 60–75, "senile" as 75–90, and "long-livers" as over 90 years old .
Functional and Frailty-Based Elderly Classification
Chronological age alone is increasingly seen as insufficient for classifying elderly individuals due to significant variability in health and function among people of the same age. Many experts now advocate for incorporating functional status and frailty into elderly classification systems 2459. Tools such as the LUCAS marker set and the Functional Classification of the Elderly (FCE) use self-administered questionnaires and indices to categorize seniors as "fit," "pre-frail," or "frail," which can better predict care needs and health outcomes than age alone 24. Frailty, rather than age, is considered a more homogeneous and clinically relevant marker for adverse outcomes and should be prioritized in classification systems 59.
Social and Contextual Perspectives on Elderly Age Categories
In practice, age categories are also shaped by social norms and the context of care. For example, in elder care settings, individuals are often informally categorized as "too young," "not-so-old," "old," or "extraordinarily old," with these distinctions influencing access to services and perceptions of appropriateness . These informal classifications can impact decisions about welfare services and highlight the need for more nuanced approaches that go beyond simple age cutoffs 36.
Heterogeneity and Challenges in Defining Elderly Age
There is considerable heterogeneity in how elderly age is defined across research fields. In orthopaedic research, for instance, studies have used age thresholds ranging from 50 to 80 years, with 65 being the most common but not universal cutoff . This variability can complicate the interpretation and comparison of research findings. Experts recommend adopting validated frailty indices and functional measures to create more uniform and clinically meaningful definitions 59.
Conclusion
Elderly age classification is evolving from a simple chronological threshold to a more nuanced approach that incorporates functional status and frailty. While traditional cutoffs like 65 years remain common, there is growing support for raising the age threshold and prioritizing measures of health and independence. Functional and frailty-based classifications offer a more accurate and equitable way to identify and support older adults, reflecting the diversity and complexity of aging.
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