Azar Cheshmberah - MSc, MPH, Deputy of health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Mojir Leylani - MSc, PUN University of Kermanshah , Iran
Mostafa Hoseini - PhD, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,Tehran, Iran
Davood Shojae Zadeh - PhD, Department of Education& Health Promotion, School of Public health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Introduction: The population ageing phenomenon has started in many of developingcountries like Iran. Most developed countries have accepted the age of 65 years as adefinition of elderly , but some developing countries like Iran consider the age of 60 . Weaimed to compare the physical and mental health of people who aged 60-64 years with thosewho aged 65-69 years in order to determine if the definition of elderly in our country is true.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April to September 2011, in thewest in Iran. Participants in this study are those who referred to the elderly care centers. Withrandom sampling, 2 from 3 centers and with convenience sampling 302 peoples aged 60-69years were selected. All participants were interviewed via face to face or with telephoneusing standard questionnaires including Kessler (K6) scale, psychological wellbeing scale,activities of daily living scale and sf-36 scale. The statistical differences were assessed byPearson’s chi-square at 5% level of significance.Results: Statistical comparisons have shown that there is a significant difference among twoage groups under study regarding to psychological distress scale, psychological wellbeingscale and activity of daily living scale. No meaningful difference was seen concern withphysical functioning (SF-36) scale between two groups.Conclusion: Our finding proposed that age of 60 possibly is better for onset of deliveringelderly care services. Other studies using representative sample and with larger sample sizeare needed for better understanding of the issue

Elderly, psychological distress, psychological wellbeing, SF-36 scale, Kesslerscale