Old age is a stage of life marked by gradual changes in physical functions, including blurred vision, hearing loss, diminished taste perception, weakened joints, sagging skin, greying or thinning hair, slower reflexes, difficulty walking, loose teeth, muscle weakness, a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and an increased risk of heart disease.

 

In addition to physical decline, some individuals experience cognitive deterioration, such as dementia, slower response times, memory loss, or the after-effects of a stroke. These changes typically emerge around the age of 65, though the onset varies from person to person.

 

In sociology terms, the older adult population are divided into 3 life-stage subgroups:

If we refer to the generation groups below (Figure 1), the young-old now and 10 years later are under the Baby Boomers, middle-old and old-old are those in Builders and WW II era. In 20 years’ time (2041), people who are now 41–56 (Generation X) will be the new young-old cohort.

Figure 1: Generation groups by years and ages

Of course, given the advancement in medical technologies, it will extend the longevity span further, and the age group for young-old today may not be the same 20 years later.