Very much depends on the person’s health. My mom died at 78 after more than a decade with Alzheimer’s. By 79 my dad was very very much an “elderly” person because of his cardiac and other health issues.
Conversely, my FIL at 83 still rides 12-14 miles/day on his bike and is super active and fit. I would not describe him as “elderly”. “Senior”- yes, “elderly”- no.
If your parent was demonstrating signs of dementia, you would. Or in my MIL’s case…she was 76 when she died and she most definitely was elderly.
In my opinion, once you’ve hit 70, you are officially in the old category and are elderly whether you like it or not. It’s not meant as a negative label. We all will be there some day.
Or you could go with the Hawaiian word kupuna, for elder or grandparent.
Getting old isn’t a bad thing. One should celebrate making it that long! 
I was curious and asked ChatGPT at what age are you considered to be elderly. I’m not sure I like the answer, lol…
The age at which someone is considered “elderly” can vary depending on context, culture, and purpose, but here are some general guidelines:
That said, many people dislike the term “elderly” because it can sound dismissive or outdated. Alternatives like older adult, senior, or simply referring to someone’s specific age are often preferred.
Going to add that COPD can contribute to symptoms of dementia because of hypoxia.
My mom was elderly in her mid-70’s, due to health issues. She had always been a very active, youthful and with-it woman, but sometimes life has a way of changing that.
Wife has a cousin who described another cousin and her husband as “she’s a young 74 and he’s an old 80”. Wife and I are almost 70 but do not feel that old in our heads. More often than not, our bodies remind us ‘yeah, you’re that old’.
Probably not a discussion we need to have here but I had to throw in my two cents and admit it’s something I’m pretty sensitive to!
To me elderly is a “state” not an age. Senior citizen (also a phrase I do not like) is a category - might be defined as 60, 62 or 65 most times.
I will fight you tooth and nail to not define someone as “old” just based on a number. It’s all relative where you are in life.
All my opinion of course!!
Yes, agree 100%!
The average life expectancy for an American man is 74.8, and for an American woman it’s 80.2. If you aren’t elderly/old/senior/whatever at 79, then when are you? I’m not particularly sensitive about labels and feel like growing older is better than the alternative. The “old” line doesn’t move just because I’m getting closer to it.
Of course better than the alternative in most cases. And I think “old” is less bothersome to ME than elderly or senior. Because yes at some point I see people as “older” (I try not to use “old”)
This is an individual opinion. A state of mind. I feel the same about other words of American choice like “empty nest” and “retirement” - my love language is words and these do not vibe with me!! 
Yes, very true. We saw that with my dad, and see it now to some extent with my MiL. She gets confused, and that makes FiL angry at her, and then angry at anyone who says she can’t help it and he shouldn’t be angry at her. he undoubtedly is resisting this dx bc he can’t stand the thought of this “cold” being a permanent state. Whatever. She’ll get better, or she won’t, and at some point doctors will suggest supportive measures that they are free to reject because heaven knows there’s no persuading.
My dad always got mad when he was confused and with the dementia he was confused more and more often. It was hard to help him until we could calm him down. My older brother was the person generally most successful.
Someone had to be with him 24/7 in hospital so he would be cooperative in hospital. My brothers took turns with overnight duty. It was very tough on everyone.
I’m sorry for everyone traveling this journey.
Everything seems to have a CYA situation – between taking pictures of her prescriptions, keep asking her details to make sure what she wants, run througha short description to ‘make sure’ exactly, etc.
She needs a lot of attention and is always right!
Anyone 65 or older who says that age is just a number is deluding him/herself, seriously. I am almost 77 and yes, I feel much older than I felt, say, before the pandemic. But often the thought pops into my head: 76-77y.o.? How did that happen?
Just to throw my two cents regarding the age discussion here and will move on asap.
I asked myself what first comes to mind when someone says “elderly.” Frail, mentally confused, unable to care for themselves… and so on.
How about “old”? Aged (like wine or steak), wise, ancient, historic…
Now, “senior”? Accomplished, graduating soon, wise, respected… same for “elder.”
I’m old and senior but I’m not elderly yet. 
My father, who has aged pretty well, used to drink martinis. He’d joke that he was “well preserved” 
My friends sometimes use the same terms as high school levels: Freshman Seniors (new seniors - in their 60’s). Sophomore Seniors (70’s). Junior Seniors (80’s). Senior Seniors (90’s)
Ok…so DH got an inexpensive IPad. We thought it was going to be used for sharing pictures and FaceTime.
SIL who lives nearby wonders if there are any IPad applications that could be used by MIL and sent a link. MIL cannot do anything with this device or any other independently…so someone else would be “doing the doing”.
Does anyone have a suggestion for something (preferably with no monthly cost) that a totally dependent person with Dementia might benefit from using?
there are some games that are free —matching games like mah jong, word games like wordscapes.
having some photos and a photo album for her to look at would be nice.
Advanced dementia. I’m not sure she can do any of the iPad things independently. SIL said that the caregivers would be managing picture and FaceTime.
Yes, photos will be the main reason for this, even though she has an aura frame.
I’m going to suggest that they do trials with MIL…and see for themselves. I’m not going to guess.