Reader comments
Colorado murder-suicide tied to Utah sex abuse case

Such a sad story. But my one question for the Deseret News is this, since when are age 64 and 68 considered "elderly"?

SAD...you are considered that because you recieve an extra 10% off your meals, collect Social Security (or whats left of it), go to bed by 5pm and wake up at 4am, all music is too loud and the TV is never loud enough, you have more medications than cups in your cupboard....and on and on

So yes the Deseret News finally has something right people older than 64 are very "ELDERLY".

Signed
Those that will one day pick your retirement home

Is a 65 year-old elderly if he or she is employed, and also taking care of two parents when they need some back-up? The parents are still living in their own home, taking care of many farm tasks, and supervising many projects and hardly seem elderly themselves. The 65 year-old also travels extensively to see grandchildren AND great grandchildren, when able to get time off from work and helping the "elderly" parents. There is a big difference between elderly and getting 10% off certain types of purchases!

When we were young we were told to "respect your elders". Who were our elders? Anyone older than us. So yes, they are elderly. Doesn't mean they are turning into fossils, just means they are the older generation.

No, being in your 60's is definitely NOT elderly, good grief, though the whole question overshadows the facts of this awful account.

When did so many in our society decide that they can kill their family members and get away with it, so to speak, by killing themselves as well? What a satanic idea.

I think all of you missed the point of this story, who cares what age "elderly" starts at a family is torn apart.

I am not elderly, except to my grandchildren. I am 67 and can still work most 20-30 year olds to death. Many complain I am working too hard and they can't catch up.

Elderly is between the ears and is part of your activity or non activity mindset.

The article was probably written by someone in their mid twenties and views anyone over 30 as elderly.

Did any of you read anything about this story besides the ages of those involved? It doesn't really matter how DN catagorized their demographic! Move on!

Reminds me of the 60's when you never trusted anyone over 30!! Now we baby boomers never trust anyone under 30! Peace, love and rock and roll!! By the by, I am 66, hardly elderly!!

60's is "elderly." How many of us are going to live to 120 or 130? NONE. Those in their 60's are WELL past middle age. Yes, we're elderly (and I'm one of us) but that doesn't mean decrepit. Get over it.

Being "elderly" or not isn't the issue of this article. A mother and father whose son has been arrested and accused of some pretty serious crimes apparently became very upset over the whole thing. This might not have even been the cause of the murder/suicide, or it might have been the final straw to other issues causing stress. Whatever the cause, it is a sad outcome for the family. Sometimes other family members or friends or neighbors, or strangers, can say unkind things about the family member who has been arrested, and sometimes parents blame themselves or just can't deal with it. I don't know the people involved, so I don't know the dynamics of the family or neighborhood, but when my husband was arrested and charged with abusing our granddaughter (which he definitely had NOT done--story for another time) we were met with varying reactions from our family and friends. One son has disowned him, others have been supportive. When charges like these are made, it can be devastating to a family. If bad health issues are involved, such as the mother in this case, it becomes a burden sometimes too heavy to bear. Be compassionate.

Based on the dictionary definition of elderly (being past middle-aged; old), 64 IS elderly. If you disagree, then please tell me how you plan to live until 128 since no human has ever VERIFIABLY lived to that age. If you choose to view the term "elderly" as perjorative, feel free to do so, but there really is no implication of ability or lack thereof--it's just a chronological term. And a big "Boo hoo for you" to all of you uber-sensitive baby-boomers--easily the most self-serving generation to ever walk this earth. Age catches all of us--even those who espouse the spurious "60-is-the-new-40" denial paradigm.

As a 77 year old, I can reliably give a good definition of "elderly." Elderly is someone who is ten years older than you are. Now, how's that?

I feel perfectly fine calling one "elderly" if they are currently collecting a good chunk of my taxes via social security. Yes, I said it. You are spending our money. The government long ago spent whatever you put into it.

All of you are discussing the wrong issue on this story!!!! Just like "Not the Issue" stated, Have some compassion. What does it matter what the age is. This is a terrible story. I pray for the rest of the family who is here on earth. May God give them the strength to live the rest of their days without their loved ones.