As recently as the 1980s, first-time mums over 30 were often referred to as 'geriatric mothers'. These days most health authorities consider you old if you're having your first child at 37 or older. They tend to use less insulting words, but you may still encounter the term 'elderly prima gravida' meaning older first-time mum.
I have to say I don't view elderly as meaning older, elderly furnishes me with visions of Miss Marple type women being all fluffy and nice. Older would be better terminology all round I think.
I'd class elderly as 80 + I think. That's when I noticed a certain fragility in my Grandparents that made me realise they couldn't do everything with me anymore and that they needed to start being more careful with themselves.
The ageism one is far trickier and I don't think it's relevant just to the elderly or older members of society, because I truly believe that every age group can be discriminated against by those who aren't in that group themselves.
Jas
XXX
:rotflmao:
(i think)