If you ask ten people about the age at which someone is considered senior, you’ll get ten answers that differ in many aspects. As well, you’ll find different opinions if you do a quick search about the same on Google. This is quite a subjective topic. It is an issue whose approach varies widely depending on the social framework and geographical setting.
While some people would argue that a 60-year-old adult is as elderly, others would consider the person as still young. One person may be spending the autumn phase of their life in the elderly nursing home, but feeling young at heart. Another may just be approaching their retirement age, but weighed down by health issues that usually affect much older persons. It all depends on the surrounding circumstances.
Who Does It Mean To Be A Senior?
The term senior citizen is casually used to describe people of advanced age in society. But what age are they? The answer to that can differ widely. Although age contributes a significant part in classifying the elderly, there is no universally defined age at which a person is regarded as a senior. Apart from age, here we look at other aspects that define a senior.
Cultural aspect. In the cultural point of view, a senior is a person who has achieved life’s major feats such as having a successful career, raising a family and acquiring property. In most social setups such an individual is believed to be wise, experienced and respectable.
Economic aspect. Since they no longer work, seniors often depend on others to cover their expenses. They require external financial assistance in the form of caregiver support, retirement funds, or government programs that support the elderly.
Medical aspect. A senior is more likely to have age-related health issues such as loss of sight, hearing, mobility, and other chronic illnesses. They require having reliable health insurance plans to cater for their medical expenses. Sometimes they may as well need someone to lend them a hand in doing most personal activities.
Are There Discounts For Seniors?
Despite that senior citizens need to live a healthy and happy life, they have limited incomes and resources that are supposed to last for an unknown time. For that reason, well-wishers offer many discounts to the elderly to help them afford their essentials.
Most restaurants and grocery stores have special days when they offer discounts for seniors. Other sectors that offer them discounts include airfare, hair salons, lodge accommodations, phone companies, movie theatre vouchers, and sports tickets. Seniors can also join alliances that offer discounts to their members such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
What Financial Matters Should Seniors Consider?
Although seniors are at the late stages of their occupation, there are opportunities for them to continue working and escape difficult financial situations. For elders who consequently planned for retirement and saved diligently in their working years, they may have enough resources to fund their golden years. If they didn’t prepare ahead, then it may be necessary for them to work.
There are some other options that can help seniors with finances. This includes Social Security benefits, Medicare insurances, and government support programs. However, the Social Security benefits may not be sufficient enough to meet all life’s expenses. Yet again, it’s not a guarantee that Medicare insurances cover all medical bills.
Are There Legal Matters That Arise For Senior?
In addition to writing a legal will stating who should take after a senior’s property, it is important to have an executor who will be in charge of making legal, financial and health decisions for them. This is especially if the elderly become incapacitated or lose sound judgment.
The executor becomes responsible for property that belongs to those seniors who are placed in nursing homes and no longer able to make everyday decisions concerning their assets. A senior citizen should also consult a lawyer whenever they are discriminated against or ill-treated. The law practitioner offers protection and legal advice to the elderly who are abused or mistreated by caregivers or other people.
What are seniors’ living care options?
Where will you spend your later years? This is a question that is likely to come through your mind, especially as you approach your late 50s. Seniors can choose to reside at home or relocate to retirement communities and elderly living homes.
Older adults who are capable of living alone, do basic activities and pay bills can live at home by themselves or the company of a caregiver. If not, they can transition to retirement living homes where they are taken care of and given the necessary medication by professional caregivers.
The Bottom Line
The term senior citizen conveys a distinction of elders in the society. But what is the age of a senior citizen? The definite age can differ depending on how and where the concept is used. Apparently, no single description can capture the actual meaning of what old age is.
Chronology is a common approach of defining old age. This means counting the number of years that have passed since a person was born. Nevertheless, this way is also subjective. Issues that pertain to seniors like discounts, insurances and retirements might be given at age 55 in one country and above 65 in another. Typically, you’re referred as a senior citizen when you transition to a retiree from a working person.