Old age is defined both as the final stage of life and as a demographic group.
Defining Old Age: A Dual Perspective
Old age is understood in two primary ways:
- Individual Perspective: It represents the last phase in a person's life cycle.
- Societal Perspective: It signifies a group of older individuals within a population.
According to the reference, "Old age has a dual definition. It is the last stage in the life processes of an individual, and it is an age group or generation comprising a segment of the oldest members of a population."
Age Thresholds
While the experience of old age is subjective, there are commonly accepted age thresholds for statistical and administrative purposes.
- Statistical and Administrative Definition: Often, old age is defined as being 60 or 65 years of age or older. This is mainly used for things such as pension eligibility, social security benefits, and when conducting statistical analyses.
