COMMON MYTHS OF AGING
DeLee Lantz, Ph.D.

When people think of growing older, they often have images of deprivation, poverty, poor health, loneliness and loss of mental capacity. Does the prevalence of this view mean that it's likely to be accurate? How true is the stereotype? Is this the future we all have to look forward to? Is it true of most older people? Or are some of these beliefs simply myths about aging that we've come to accept because of their repitition?

The National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health has developed a questionairre to help you test your knowledge of the facts about aging. It is reprinted below.

WHAT'S YOUR AGING IQ?

1.  Baby boomers are the faster growing segment of the population.  True     False

Fact:   There are more than 3 million Americans over the age of 85. That number is expected to quadruple by the year 2040, when there will be more than 12 million people in that age group. The population age 85 and older is the fastest growing age group in the U.S.

The correct answer is False.

2.  Families don't usually bother with older relatives.  True     False

Fact:Most older people live close to their

   children and see them often. Many live with their

   spouses. An estimated 80% of men and 60% of

   women live in family settings. Only 5% of the older

   populations lives in nursing homes.

   The correct answer is False.

3.  Everyone becomes confused or forgetful if they live long enough.  True     False

Fact:  Confusion and serious forgetfulness in old age can be caused by Alzheimer's disease or other conditions that result in irreversible damage to the brain. But at least 100 other problems can bring on the same symptoms. A minor head injury, high fever, poor nutrition, adverse drug reactions, and depression also can lead to confusion. These conditions are treatable, however, and the confusion they cause can be eliminated.

   The correct answer is False.

4.  You can become too old to exercise.

True     False

Fact:   Exercise at any age can help strengthen the heart and lungs and lower blood pressure. It also can improve muscle strength, and, if carefully chosen, lessen bone loss with age.

The correct answer is False.

5.  Heart disease is a much bigger problem for older men than for older women. True     False

Fact:The risk of heart disease increases

dramatically for women after menopause. By

age 65, both men and women have a one in

   three chance of showing symptoms. But risks can

   be significantly reduced by following a healthy

   diet and exercising.

   The correct answer is False.

       

   6.  The older you get, the less you sleep.

True     False

Fact:In later life, it's the quality of sleep that

declines, not total sleep time. Researchers

   found that sleep tends to become more fragmented

   as people age. A number of reports suggest that

   older people are less likely than younger people

   to stay awake throughout the day and that older

   people tend to take more naps than younger

   people.

   The correct answer is False.

7.  People should watch their weight as they age.True     False

Fact:  Most people gain weight as they age. Because of changes in the body and decreasing physical activity, older people usually need fewer calories. Still, a balanced diet is important. Older people require essential nutrients just like younger adults. You should be concerned about your weight if there has been an involuntary gain or loss of 10 pounds in the past 6 months.

The correct answer is True.
  

    8.   Most older people are depressed. Why
   shouldn't they be?  True     False

   Fact:  Most older people are not depressed. When    it does occur, depression is treatable throughout

   the life cycle using a variety of approaches, such

   family support, psychotherapy, or antidepressant

   medications.  A physician can determine whether

   the depression is caused by medication an older

   person might be taking, by physical illness, stress,

   or other factors.

   The correct answer is False.   

   9.  There's no point in screening older people

   for cancer because they can't be treated.

   True     False

   Fact:  Many older people can beat cancer,  

   especially if it's found early. Over half of all

   cancers occur in people 65 and older, which

   means that screening for cancer in this age group

   is especially important.

   The correct answer is False.

  10.  Older people take more medications that

   younger people.  True     False

Fact:  Older people often have a combination of  conditions that require drugs. They consume 25 percent of all medications and can have many more problems with adverse reactions. Check with your doctor to make sure all drugs and dosages are appropriate.

The correct answer is True.

  11.  People begin to lose interest in sex around

   age 55.  True     False

Fact: Most older people can lead an active, satisfying sex  life.

The correct answer is False.

  12.  If your parent had Alzheimer's DIsease, you

   will most likely get it.  True     False

Fact: The overwhelming number of people with Alzheimer's disease have not inherited the disorder. In a few families, scientists have seen an extremely high incidence of the disease and have identified genes in these families which they think may be responsible.

The correct answer is False.

  13.  Diet and exercise reduce the risk for

   osteoporosis. True     False

Fact:  Women are at particular risk for osteoporosis.  They can help prevent bone loss by eating foods rich in calcium and exercising regularly throughout life. Foods such as milk and other dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, salmon, sardines, and tofu promote new bone growth. Activities such as walking, biking, and simple exercises to strengthen the upper body also can be effective.

The correct answer is True

   14.  As your body changes with age, so does your

    personality.  True     False

Fact: Research has found that, except for the changes that can result from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, personality is one of the few constants of life. That is, you are likely to age much as you've lived.

The correct answer is False

15.  Older people might as well accept urinary

    accidents as a fact of life. True     False

Fact: Urinary incontinence is a symptom, not a    disease.  Usually, it is caused by specific changes in body function that can result from infection, diseases, pregnancy, or the use of certain medications. A variety of treatment options are available for people who seek medical attention.

The correct answer is False.

(For more on urinary incontinence and its treatment, click to see our article, "Urinary Incontinence in Women".)

16.  Suicide is mainly a problem of teenagers.    True     False

Fact: Suicide is most prevalent among people age  65 and older. An older person's concern with suicide should be taken very seriously and professional help should be sought quickly.

The correct answer is False.

   17.  Falls and injuries just naturally happen to

   older people.  True    False

Fact: Falls are the most common cause of injuries among people over age 65. But many of these injuries, which result in broken bones, can be avoided. Regular vision and hearing tests and good safety habits can help prevent accidents. Knowing whether your medications affect balance and coordination is also a good idea.

The correct answer is False.

   18.  Everyone eventually gets cataracts.

   True    False

   Fact: Not everyone gets cataracts, although a 

great many older people do. Some 18 percent of

   people between the ages of 65 and 74 have

   cataracts, while more than 40 percent of those

   between 75 and 85 have the problem. Cataracts

   can be treated very successfully with surgery; more

   than 90 percent of people say they can see better

   after the procedure.

   The correct answer is False.

   19.  Extremes of heat and cold can be especially

   dangerous for older people.  True     False

Fact: The body's thermostat tends to function less  efficiently with age, making the older person's body less able to adapt to heat or cold. The correct answer is True.

   20.  "You can't teach an old dog new tricks".   

   True     False

Fact:  People at any age can learn new information and skills. Research indicates that older people can obtain new skills and improve old ones, including how to use a computer.

The correct answer is False.

....Reprinted with permission by the National Instutite of Aging of the National Institutes of Health.

.............................................................................

Were you surprised by some of the answers? Many people are. The next time you hear someone say one of these things, you can enlighten them. To be sure, getting older has its challenges. But let's don't exaggerate them!

Most of us at Integrated Psychology Associates are of an age to experience these challenges of getting older, as well as the unique advantages of entering and being in this stage of life. Therefore, we especially enjoy the therapy, counseling, biofeedback and testing we do with older individuals. I, personally, would be less fulfilled if I did not have clients at all stages of life's journey. Good luck to you on your journey, wherever you may be on that path!

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