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Dictionary definition of “young-old”

young-old

n. older adults who lead active lives contrary to stereotypes of diminished abilities. Subjects: English, United States, Health, Jargon

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Citations: 1975 Bernice L. Neugarten New York Times (Jan. 18) “The Rise of the Young-Old” p. 24: Another meaningful division of the life cycle is now appearing in the rise of the young-old, a group drawn mainly from the 55-to-75 age group. The young-old are distinguished from the middle-aged primarily by retirement, and distinguished from the old-old by continued vigor and active social involvement. 2004 Daphne Merkin New York Times (May 2) “Keeping the Forces of Decrepitude at Bay”: What’s to get hepped up and festive about when all I can see in front of me is a decades-long campaign of vigilantly keeping the forces of decrepitude at bay as I totter forward over the next 15 years into first the demographic embrace of the ‘‘young old’’ (the oxymoronic term coined by the gerontologist Bernice Neugarten to demarcate the age group from 65 to 74).

Posted 6 May 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

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