World Health Organization's Definition of Older Adults
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), older adults are defined as those aged 60 years and older. 1
Evidence for WHO's Definition
The WHO's definition of older adults as those aged 60+ years is clearly established in multiple guidelines:
The British Journal of Sports Medicine (2025) explicitly states: "The WHO regards adults aged 60 years and older as 'older adults'" 1
The Journal of Medical Internet Research (2024) confirms this definition: "According to the United Nations, older adults (aged 60-65 years) will represent 16% of the world's population in 2050" 1
Alternative Definitions in Different Contexts
While the WHO uses 60 years as the threshold, it's important to note that different organizations and healthcare systems may use different age cutoffs:
The United Nations (UN) defines older people as those aged 60 or 65 years or more 1
In trauma management, mortality adjusted for injury severity increases at age 70, making this a potential cutoff for geriatric trauma patients 1
Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) recommends transportation to trauma centers for patients older than 55 years 1
The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) defines elderly patients as those older than 65 years 1
In many developed world economies, older people are commonly defined as those aged 65 years or more 1
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society defines older adults as those aged 65 years and older 1
WHO's Alternative Definition
The WHO also uses an alternative definition whereby an older person is defined as someone who has already passed the median life expectancy at birth 1. This definition acknowledges that chronological age doesn't always correspond to biological age.
Clinical Implications
Understanding the correct definition of older adults has important implications:
- Proper resource allocation for aging populations
- Development of age-appropriate clinical guidelines
- Implementation of preventive health measures for healthy aging
- Recognition of the heterogeneity among older adults with diverse needs and health conditions
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Assuming chronological age always corresponds to biological age - they often diverge significantly 1, 2
- Overlooking frailty assessment, which can be a stronger predictor of outcomes than chronological age 2
- Applying a one-size-fits-all approach to older adults, who represent a very heterogeneous population 1
In conclusion, while different organizations may use different age thresholds (55,60,65, or 70+), the World Health Organization specifically defines older adults as those aged 60 years and older.