What exactly is an "older adult"?

[milestogo]

I received an email today from a fitness club where I pay a monthly membership. They are recommending that "If you are in a high risk category, please stay home." It refers to the CDC website for high risk categories.

The CDC website says:

Older adults
People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Lung disease

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html#who-is-higher-risk

What is an older adult? Can a dues paying member be told NOT to use their paid membership because of their age? I really don't like this. I have no medical conditions, but I am over 60. So am I being excluded?

[dhol82]

1. I think they are trying to cover their asses in case somebody tries to sue them for contracting

Coronavirus at their location.
Chill. I think you’re ok.
Just don’t sue them if you get Coronavirus at the gym.

[milestogo]

4. Thanks.

I figure they should offer me a refund for half the month if they don't want me to come back.

[gibraltar72]

21. You're angry because they are looking out for you?

I'm glad companies are trying to take care of their customers. Showing more concern than any Republican.

[milestogo]

22. I couldn't decipher it.

The tone didn't make me feel "looked out for". From my POV, I paid for services and now they're suggesting that I not use them. And they're not offering refunds.

[gibraltar72]

23. I read it that they wanted you to know the CDC guidelines.

Yeah it's CYA but dead customers pay them nothing. So it's good biz too. It is a Petri dish.

[CaptYossarian]

2. It depends on how long it takes to stand up.

I'm currently 127 years old, based on that.

[dhol82]

6. .....

[Karadeniz]

3. Seems like I'm hearing 70+ is an older adult. If you're below that, in good health, no immune

System compromises, you're okay....but if it's crowded, you might want to give it a break!

[LizBeth]

8. Everything I have read has said 60. Being 59 I wonder if I fall into that. Lol

[milestogo]

11. I think a lot of people will be scared off.

[Crunchy Frog]

5. Geezer? Codger?

Not trying to be offensive. Im getting close to that status myself.

[Ms. Toad]

7. Even at age 10, the death rate is higher than the flu.

But age 40 is a reasonable age to start thinking about being older, for purposes of taking additional care.

Up through age 39, the rate is .2% (don't know the decimals farther out) - but roughly double the average death rate for influenza.

Age 40+ - .4% (3-4 times that of influenza)
Age 50+ - 1.3% (10 times that of influenza)
Age 60+- 3.6% (30 times that of influenza)
Age 70+ - 8% (62 times that of influenza)
Age 80+ - 14.8% (114 times that of influenza)

These numbers are calculated based on deaths in the selected age ranges, out of "all cases" as oposed to "confirmed cases." They are, because this is a constantly evolving situation, estimates only. But they have been relatively consistent for the more than a month I've been watching them.

[Mariana]

13. Can you clarify those categories, please?

Does "40+" mean "40-49", or does it include "50+", "60+", and so on?

[Ms. Toad]

15. I assumed that was obvious, based on the starting age for the next category.

But 40+ means 40, up to the next bracket which begins at 50 (etc.)

80+ means 80 and over because there is no higher category.

[Mariana]

16. Thanks. nt.

[Skittles]

9. CDC defines Geezer Status at age 60 and older

yes indeed

[badseedboy]

10. in an earlier CDC guideline,

over sixty is the current definition of "older adult," a change from past definitions.

[safeinOhio]

12. Don't worry, after 60

you become invisible at the gym.

[cwydro]

17. Many at my gym are certainly over 60.

I see them just fine.

And none of them seem afraid to still come work out.

Kudos to all of them.

[Igel]

14. It's a recommendation, a request.

If you spend appreciable time in public, in situations where you're going to be in contact with surfaces that others have been in contact with and probably haven't adequately disinfected, you're taking a risk.

You want to take the risk, that's your call.

They use "older" because there's not a good cutoff. It's not like you're *really* at much lower risk at 59 than 60, or 69 than 70. It's a gradient. The risks are the average for that age range. Meaning that at 59 it's nearly the same as 60. Again, you get to evaluate the risk.

Don't know the terms of the contract you have with them or payment options.

If things get bad they'll just close. "Act of god" or whatever the current term of art is.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

18. It's a recommendation, nothing more.

[Blue_true]

19. Set up your own home gym and quit the fitness center.

Except for swimming, you can do every imaginable exercise in your bedroom on a properly set up home gym.

[LisaL]

20. Over 60.