One of the most common myths about aging may be in the saying that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. While a few may suffer from cognitive abilities, for the vast majority of middle age and elderly people, behavior therapy with cognitive abilities is being successfully used. Typically, when one elderly person suffers from a particular disease, mental or physical problem, it is often associated with many in the same age group. In some instances there may be a history of troubles for those of a certain age and beyond, but many myths about aging have proven to be unfounded, with minor exceptions.
The belief that as a person ages, the chance of them suffering severe mental illness increase is one such myths about aging. With the exception of Alzheimer’s Disease, the chance of developing a serious mental disease actually decreases with age. While some form of dementia affects a large portion of the elderly population, there are less than 50 percent of those over 80 experiencing this ailment. Additionally, while the symptoms may show, there is actually a decline in clinical depression among the elderly.
With a large percentage of the population over 60 growing every day, the prospect of aging is hitting many like a bat between the eyes. Witnessing the effects of aging on the preceding generation has sparked several myths about aging that have little basis in fact and the beliefs continue to be erroneously spread.
Some Degeneration Exacerbate Aging Myths myths about aging
One of the widely held myths about aging is that as person ages their hearing fails along with their eyesight. Elderly persons day may suffer significant hearing loss, often associated with age when the reality is the degeneration of the their hearing probably started much sooner due to the work environment in which they thrived. Prior to laws government the use ear protection many of today’s elderly work in loud factories or with loud equipment causing a gradual loss of hearing.
While it is true that many people develop problems with their vision as they age, by caring for their eyes and having regular checkups, most problems can be resolved or corrected while still under the age of 60. The myths about aging are being tempered by the use of lineless bifocals and contact lenses. However, there is some basis for the myth as many eye problems do develop later in life.
Mostly, many of the myths about aging are carried on by the elderly as they laughingly refer to aches, pains and other facts of life to the fact that they are not as young as they used to be.
Myths About Aging Have Little Basis In Truth
