What is the age definition of an elder person?

The term "elder person" is commonly defined as an individual who is 65 years of age or older. This specific age aligns with various societal and governmental standards, such as eligibility for senior citizen benefits, retirement programs, and the classification of aged individuals in health care systems. This definition is widely accepted in policies around elder care, social services, and elder rights legislation.

Choosing 65 years as the cutoff reflects a consensus that at this age, individuals may face unique challenges related to health, financial stability, mobility, and social support needs, which can be the focus of elder abuse prevention and intervention strategies. Definitions leading up to this age may not encompass the same level of complexity regarding care and support requirements, while older definitions, such as those below 65, may not adequately align with prevalent practices and governmental benchmarks used to help protect vulnerable populations.