There are many widespread myths about aging. Most of them are simply untrue. But if we mistakenly take them as fact, chances are we won't invest the time and energy required to overcome them. The first step to avoiding these outcomes is to see them for what they really are: optional.
Today we'll look at some of the most common negative stereotypes of older people. You'll learn why they don't hold up to scrutiny. Plus, you'll find out how to avoid falling into these stereotypical traps of old age.
1. An Old Dog Can't Learn New Tricks
This myth is harmful in more ways than one. First, it's just wrong. And it leads people to underestimate the capacity of older family and friends. In reality, we maintain the ability to learn and change throughout our life.
Secondly, learning new skills or taking up new hobbies is an excellent way to exercise your mental faculties. That keeps your mind strong and sharp. Not only is “learning new tricks” possible, but it’s also important to maintain your cognitive health.
If we set limiting expectations for ourselves and those around us, then we will be unable to reach our fullest potential. Never stop learning and don't deny anyone's ability to do so– including yourself!
Synopsis
We are capable of learning new skills, information, and habits throughout our life. Denying this ability limits ourselves and the people around us.
2. Cognitive Decline Is Inevitable
Many people think that all older adults will eventually develop Alzheimer's disease or dementia. This is simply untrue. While these conditions are not uncommon, they're not universal. And they're definitely not inevitable.
Risk factors for Alzheimer's include smoking, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. If you're following the healthy lifestyle outlined in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program then you're already taking active steps to reduce those risk factors.
This myth sometimes appears as the stereotype that older people lose their mental acuity. You can maintain high cognitive function throughout your life. Much like exercising your body to keep it strong, exercising your mental faculties helps to keep your mind sharp.
Synopsis
Alzheimer's and dementia are not inevitable. Neither is a slowdown of mental function. By living a healthy lifestyle and exercising your mental faculties you can avoid cognitive decline.
3. Older People Are Always Unhappy
There are many popular media depictions of older people as grumpy, sad, or miserable. This is a lazy stereotype that ignores the reality of aging.
A study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization found that people are the happiest they've ever been around retirement age.1
As we age we accumulate experience, skills, and community. Often getting older can mean more time for favorite hobbies and activities. Old age provides a new opportunity for growth and happiness, not an inevitable decline into sadness!
Synopsis
The stereotype that all older people are miserable is untrue. Studies have found that people are near their happiest around retirement age. Old age provides opportunities to pursue interests and enjoy life.
4. Older Adults Don’t Contribute To Society
This idea may have taken root because many older adults are retired from their professional careers. However, this idea is tied up in a system of valuing people based only on what they can provide as laborers. Our value to society extends well beyond our jobs in many directions.
Seniors are active participants in their communities. They are active volunteers and often make regular contributions to donation-based organizations. Older people are also drivers of local economies, as consumers and users of services.
Additionally, our personal relationships are bonds that keep our society strong. The collective memories of our oldest community-members provide a connection to tradition and history that grounds our culture. Don't believe for a minute that growing old means you don't matter to society.
Synopsis
Retirement doesn't mean that people stop contributing to society. Older people contribute as volunteers, as consumers, as supportive family members, as involved community members, and as elders who carry the experience and memory of our history.
5. Growing Older Means Growing Lonely
Movies and television series often depict older characters who are isolated and lonely. But in reality, there is a wide variety of easily accessible social activities for older adults. Volunteer groups, clubs, senior centers, community organizations, fitness groups, and more provide ample opportunity to build and sustain meaningful relationships.
Additionally, there are many residential options that can help create a robust network of neighbors and care that prevents isolation or loneliness. Many communities built for older adults have communal spaces and activities that can make these the most social and fun years of life.
Synopsis
Despite the depictions of older adults as lonely, there are many ways for seniors to create and maintain a large number of relationships. Retirement or assisted living communities often have social opportunities built-in.
6. Older Folks Need More (Or Less) Sleep
This is a myth that appears in wildly inconsistent ways. Some people mistakenly believe that older adults need more sleep than younger adults. Others believe that older adults require less sleep than they used to.
Our sleep patterns may change as we age, and indeed some older people have more difficulty getting to sleep and sleeping soundly through the night. A disrupted night's sleep might need to be supported by a daytime nap, for example. However, older adults still need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults.
The CDC states that people from age 61-64 need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and that people aged 65 and older need seven to eight hours.3 As Savers know, getting enough sleep is important for bone health.
Synosis
Although some older people have more difficulty getting to sleep and sleeping soundly, they still need about the same amount of sleep each night as younger adults.
7. Ever-Increasing Health Problems
Some people think that after a certain age, everyone has multiple health conditions.
Our bodies change as we age, but that doesn't mean that we inevitably grow frail and suffer from an ever-increasing list of maladies. Some people develop health conditions that require special care. But many conditions can be avoided by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Simple daily choices make an enormous impact on your health and ability to remain independent. A healthy diet and regular physical activity are foundational for staying healthy and fit. They're also foundational for avoiding falls and maintaining strong bones!
Synopsis
Getting older doesn't automatically cause multiple health conditions. If you lead a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet, you can avoid living out the myth that advancing age comes with a multitude of health problems.
8. It's Too Late To Get Fit
It's easy to find depictions of frail elderly people. The reality is that you can remain strong and physically capable for your entire life. Muscle loss is common with age, but it's completely avoidable. The danger isn't aging, it's physical inactivity.
Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet allow you to actually increase your fitness level and continue to expand your physical capacity. That's good for your muscles and your bones. That's why the Save Institute created SaveTrainer.
SaveTrainer is the only exercise platform designed specifically to target bone health and reverse signs of aging. It includes programs to enhance bone strength, joint health, balance, coordination, flexibility, stress relief, and more.
Synopsis
It's not too late to get fit. You can improve and maintain your physical fitness throughout your life with exercise and a healthy diet. SaveTrainer is the Save Institute's online workout platform. It's a handy tool to help you get and stay fit no matter your age.
What This Means To You
Take a deep breath in, and as you release it, let go of all those awful stereotypes about aging. They've been built up by years of television shows, comic strips, and old wives' tales. But they're obscuring the truth.
You remain in control of your life, your health, and your choices as you get older. Take advantage of the resources at your disposal (like SaveTrainer) to keep growing, changing, and living a healthy and rewarding life.
References
1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167268112000601
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I loved this article about old age. I’m 93 and I don’t feel old n fact I feel a normal person, though perhaps a bit slower and not so strong physically.
Mind you I have been following The osteoporosis reversal programme for 11 years! So diet, supplements and exercise are obviously the main reason.
These days technology is another thing! I’m very lucky that my daughter has worked in I T for many years and she and her husband used to pass on their old laptops to me and pushed me into using them way back. My son and friends also help me at times. So I urge everyone to be computer literate.
The third thing is to make younger friends. Keep old friends of course but sadly they have a way of disappearing.
Thanks Vivienne.-
What a great attitude you have, especially about keeping up with technology…you are a terrific role modeling! I am 71 and am following a Mediterranean diet, exercising 6 days a week and taking appropriate supplements. I take no prescription drugs, and my physician says I am very healthy. Hopefully I can continue to follow the path you have trailblazer for seniors and live as long and healthy a life as you are.
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You’re a true inspiration to all Savers, June! I commend you for your dedication to improving your bone health and for having such an upbeat attitude about aging. Indeed, you’re further proof that age is just a number! Keep up with your healthy lifestyle and stay in touch 🙂
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Hello June,
An encouraging and uplifting attitude, thank you for sharing.May GOD continue to bless you always.
Have a wonderful day.
Marlene
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Thank you for helping dis-spell these myths. Always thought they shouldn’t be putting us “out to pasture.” We’ve lots left to share
Joyce
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Absolutely, Joyce! I’m happy to help dispel those myths and I hope that Savers will share this article with friends and loved ones.
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Question: Is it all right to open the capsules of TrueOsteo and put the powder in applesauce? I have trouble swallowing capsules that large.
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Hi Gail, you certainly can 🙂
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Hello Vivian,
Thank you for sharing this excellent information. It reminded me
of one of your article ” Biological age versus Chronological age”.
AGE is just a number. You are Only as Old as you feel. In the
end, it’s NOT the years in your life that COUNT, it’s the life in
your years.The mind is the control tower of life.
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You’re welcome, Marlene! And for Savers who might be curious about the article you mention, here’s the link:
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Dear Vivian
Excellent article.
Thanks so much.
Hester-
You’re very welcome, Hester!
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Thank you, Ita.
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It’s my pleasure, Ita!
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This is a encouraging and inspiring article. I liked it and will make it work for me.
Thanks Vivian 🙂-
I’m glad to know that this will help you to improve your life, Shamse! Stay positive and enjoy life!
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You are always my greatest inspiration !
My health is excellent, but I would have been on some bone drug if it was not for your advice.
Your constant blogs and articles are full of wisdom and exercise to keep us healthy.
I agree that these are all myths, as you can feel these things when you are young…a runner once told me when we were young…” Doing everything healthy may only extend your life for two years, but the quality of your life will be what is so good”……and she is right.
I am also a vegetarian, which makes eating healthy very easy!
Thank you always for all your help.-
You’re very welcome, Rebecca! And keep up with your healthy, drug-free lifestyle 🙂
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It’d be interesting to take a poll as to what retirees do with their time. I’m 69 yrs old & sleep 5-6 hours a night and have fibromyalsia. My husband is 65 and has arthritus, but maintains our 10 acres and snow blows our quarter mile driveway. This year my husband and I did a Thivent Financial sponsored beautification project at church. He put in irrigation and stone borders and we planted tulip bulbs. I’m also shopping for Christmas bags for needy shut-ins which our County Council on Aging will deliver after our Women’s Bible Study puts them together. I also make and sew items for a shop I have called “card hugs” at http://www.Etsy.com. I try to walk everyday and there is so much more to do there aren’t enough hours in the day! I think the idea is that we know our individual limits, but do what we can within those limits using good sense.
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Thanks for sharing your story, Rosemary!
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Rosemary,
That all sounds so encouraging, I’m about to retire and in the back of my mind is the question “will I keep busy”. Thank you for and inspirational comment!
Kerry
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Gracias Vivian, por hacer simple los conceptos tan importantes para poder disfrutar esta etapa de la vida.
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No hay de que, Cesar! Y me alegra saber que esto te va a ayudar a disfrutar de esta etapa de tu vida!
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I am 80 years young! I was diagnosed with osteoporosis about 10 years ago. I made the choice not to take the drugs that are prescribed for this “death” sentence!
I exercise, swim, and walk regularly, and eat healthy. I even have an occasional glass of wine!
Thank you Vivian for being there with save our bones, when I needed guidance.
-Mavis