It's time to debunk some common myths about growing older.
By 2030, about one out of every five Americans will be over age 65. But despite the enormous growth in this age group over the last century, how we think about aging hasn't kept up with the times. The myths about aging often paint a negative (and just plain wrong) picture of what it means to grow older. So here's a look at seven common myths about aging—and the truth behind them.
Myth: Older adults experience serious problems with their memory.
Truth: People over age 65 may be forgetful on occasion, but significant memory loss and confusion are not a normal part of aging.
For the majority of older adults, memory lapses don't interfere with daily activities. Yet because age is a risk factor for dementia, it is often seen as part of the aging process. Dementia, though, is no more natural than heart attack or stroke—it's a brain disease that causes serious damage to a person's memory, personality, and behavior.
This brain disease is a significant health issue for older adults. While few people aged 65 to 75 have memory problems, forty percent of those over 85 have memory disorders. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia among older people. However, not all memory loss is a sign of dementia. Memory loss also can be caused by fever, dehydration, side effects from medication, thyroid gland problems, a minor head injury, or vitamin deficiency and poor nutrition. If you're concerned about memory loss in yourself or a loved one, talk to a doctor.
Myth: Exercise does more harm than good for older adults.
Truth: No matter what your age, being active can help you feel your best.
"The single most important thing you can do to prevent disease and disability is to get regular physical activity," says John Murphy, M.D., President Elect of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). "Although disease and disability are more common in older adults, they are not a normal part of aging."
People who don't exercise have less endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility—and if you're over 65, that can impact your ability to do everyday activities and stay independent. No matter what your age, it's never too late to start exercising and improving your health. Dr. Murphy says he has patients who are 94 years old and exercise every day. Before you start exercising, though, it's important to talk to your doctor about a plan that's right for you.
Myth: Being depressed is a normal part of aging.
Truth: Depression is a serious medical condition that needs to be identified and treated at any age.
About 15 percent of those over age 65 experience symptoms of depression that make it difficult to function. In addition, older adults are almost twice as likely to commit suicide as the general population.
Depression often goes undiagnosed in all age groups. However, recognizing depression in older adults can be particularly challenging because of other medical conditions the person may have or because the depression is incorrectly seen as a natural part of growing older. Currently, only one in ten older adults with depression receives appropriate treatment.
It doesn't have to be that way. Depression can be successfully treated, and the first step is to talk with your doctor. He or she can help figure out the best way to manage the depression. Dr. Murphy says the loss of loved ones can contribute to the development of depression in older adults, as can other losses like changes in financial status and loss of power and control. Other contributing factors include chronic pain, the side effects of medications, and certain medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and some cancers. Once depression is diagnosed, it can be treated—and that can help make life enjoyable again.
Myth: Most people end up in nursing homes.
Truth: Less than 5 percent of adults aged 65 and older live in nursing homes, according to the American Healthcare Association.
The length of stay varies for nursing home residents. About a quarter of the people admitted stay for three months or less, while about 21 percent live there for almost five years, according to the AGS. The AGS also reports that long-term residents of nursing homes often see an improvement in function.
Myth: Most older adults are lonely and away from family.
Truth: Most people under the age of 85 are married and living with their spouse, and are no more than a half hour away from at least one adult child.
Most older parents don't live with their children today as earlier generations did. But that's a choice for the majority of people. Social Security and pensions have given older adults more financial independence. The AGS reports that the majority of retirees live in homes that are paid for and have enough money to enjoy themselves during retirement.
And many people remain at home even when their health declines. For every person in a nursing home, there are two or three comparably impaired people being cared for by family members at home.
Myth: The best medicines are the newest ones, so older adults should take advantage of them.
Truth: It's usually better to wait until a drug has been on the market for a period of time to make sure it is safe.
With so many prescription drug commercials on television, people of all ages are asking their doctors about medications they've seen advertised. It's not a good idea for anyone to push their doctor into prescribing a specific drug, but it can be a particular problem for older adults.
"Drug companies aren't required to study medications on adults with multiple conditions," says Dr. Murphy. "So we don't know what impact a drug may have. After a drug has been on the market for a few years, we have a better idea of how safe it is for older patients."
Dr. Murphy also emphasizes that medication interactions can be a problem for many older adults, who can be on five or more medications. It's important to bring all medications to a doctor's visit—either the bottles or a detailed list. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as what Dr. Murphy calls "across the hall" medications. Those are medications borrowed from a friend or neighbor. While you should never take medications not approved or prescribed by your doctor, many people do, and then don't tell their doctors. And that can lead to dangerous complications. That's why it's essential to talk openly and honestly with your doctor.
Myth: Talking about end-of-life care is too difficult for families to bear.
Truth: It's not easy to talk about living wills and other advance directives, but not talking about them is much harder for the family in the long run.
Fifteen to 25 percent of adults complete advance directives, usually after a serious illness or hospitalization, according to American Family Physician. That means at least three-fourths of people don't make their wishes known in legal documents known as advance directives. This forces their families to make difficult healthcare decisions themselves, such as whether to continue life-sustaining procedures. These decisions can be a burden on a family, and family members may not agree on what should be done.
You can help avoid this situation by talking to your family about your healthcare decisions, then putting those decisions in advance directives, such as a living will or a durable power of attorney. "The time to raise these issues is when people are still healthy," says Dr. Murphy. "It causes much less anxiety to talk about these issues at the kitchen table than in the emergency room." He also adds that all adults should be completing advance directives, not just older adults.
The types of advance directives vary from state to state, so check with your doctor or your local Department of Health.
