Only over-75s should be considered 'elderly' in Italy, according to researchers, who say Italian seniors remain active for longer than their counterparts in other countries. "A 65 year old today has the physical and cognitive capacity of a 40 to 45 year old 30 years ago. And a 75 year old has that of a 55 year old in 1980," said Niccolò Marchionni, a professor of gerontology at the University of Florence.

Speaking at the national congress of the Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics in Rome on Friday, he announced that the association would bring its definition of 'elderly' in line with Italy's lengthening life spans. Scientists consider people elderly who can expect to live another ten years on average. By that measure, old age would have started in the early 50s for Italians born at the start of the 20th century. But since then life expectancy has increased by around 20 years, to 85 years for women and 80.6 for men.