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HLN
OUR BELIEFS ABOUT AGING have a huge impact on how we act and how we take care of ourselves. In fact, a person’s perceived health turns out to be one of the best predictors of his or her future health. Surprisingly, studies have shown that subjective self-reported health is more accurate than an objective health measure from physicians.
We’ll focus on the five most common myths about aging. It’s reassuring to know that all five of these myths are in direct conflict with recent scientific data from researchers in the field of aging.
Myth #1—To be old is to be sick This is a false statement. New research from Stanford University and other research centers shows that older Americans are generally healthy. Thus, living longer does not mean living with illness and disability. Much of your health is within your control.
Myth #2—You can’t teach an old dog new tricks The less people are challenged, the less they can learn and perform. However, it’s important to know that older people can, and do, learn new things. The fear of age-related mental loss is often exaggerated and simply wrong.
Myth #3—The horse is out of the barn Many consider age-related changes irreversible. Fortunately, they are mistaken. In fact, studies have shown that we can recover lost function and decrease our risk of disease by adopting new healthy behaviors at any age. Of course, if you feel you have an irreversible age-related problem, it’s important to check with your doctor. However, in almost every case, by adopting healthier habits, you can improve your health and quality of life.
Myth #4—The secret of successful aging is to choose your parents wisely It is true that there is some meaningful connection between genetics and aging. However, according to recent studies, the relative importance of genes has been tremendously overstated. Experts in the field of aging report that only about 30% of the characteristics of aging can be attributed to genes. As we grow older, our genes, which we have no control over, become less important than the parts of our lives that we can control—our environment and lifestyle.
Myth #5—Older people are miserable The belief that older people are unhappy, lonely, and dejected is one of the biggest myths of all. Studies show that in terms of emotion, the best years come late in life. As people age, they are more emotionally balanced and better able to solve emotional problems. Older people as a group suffer less from depression, anxiety, and substance abuse than younger people. They manage negative feelings better and enjoy positive feelings more.
Daniel J. Jachimiak, BA, is a journalist, feature writer, and speaker. He can be reached at djachimiak@bex.net or 419787-2036.
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