Old age consists of ages nearing the average lifespan of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms for older people include advanced adult, elderly, and senior or senior citizen. Older people have limited regenerative abilities and are more prone to disease, syndromes, and sickness than other adults. For the biology of aging see Senescence.
In most developed societies, adults are declared to be "old" when they reach the ages of 60-65, and secure their pension entitlement. Some governments offer Old age pensions, and redeemable Retirement Savings Plans.
Retirement is a typical lifestyle embraced by advanced adults, marking the end of a lifetime of work.
In the late 20th century and early 21st century, advances in nutrition and health care have extended the period of good health as well as extending the overall life expectancy.
Pensions provision relied upon life expectancy at retirement being short: this change has led to the pensions crisis.
There is considerable prejudice against older people in employment and in the media. Given a choice between an old person (over 50, say) and a young person, often with less ability, the young person will disproportionately often be chosen by an employer. The media focus much less on older people because younger people are influenced more easily, and will most likely remain influenced for the rest of their lives, for instance choosing brands they are familiar with.
While non-metropolitan elderly were more likely to own their own homes and to own them without a mortgage, their homes were of lower value and in poorer physical condition than the homes of elderly persons in metropolitan areas.
Data show that non-metropolitan elderly persons are not healthier nor more active than their urban counterparts, that there is little difference in health behaviors (smoking, drinking, diet, weight control), and that a greater percent assess their health as fair or poor.
Elderly women in non-metropolitan areas are more vulnerable to dying from breast cancer because fewer utilize clinical screenings and mammograms.
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