AGING: Debunking the Myths

Six Myths
1. Myth 1: Older people are all the same.
Reality: Older people are a very diverse group.

2. Myth 2: Men and women age the same way.

Reality: Women and men age differently.

3. Myth 3: Old dogs can't learn new tricks.

Reality: Older brains, when challenged with new activities, can continue to
develop and learn until very late in life.

4. Myth 4: To be old means to be sick.

Reality: About three-quarters of seniors aged 65 to 74 and two-thirds of those
aged 75 and older rate their health as good, very good or excellent.

5. Myth 5: Most older people need to live in institutions.

Reality: The vast majority of seniors live at home.

6. Myth 6: Older people have nothing to contribute to society.

Reality: Older people contribute a great deal to their families, communities,
society and economies.

"People often put in Myths about Aging

the category of
normal aging a
number of things that Myth 1: Older people are all the same.
 Reality: Older people are a very diverse group. Many older
people lead active and healthy lives, while younger people
sometimes have a poorer quality of life. People age in many
different ways, depending on a wide variety of factors, including
gender, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, genetic makeup,
education, and income.
don't belong, things Myth 2: Men and women age the same way.
that have more to do
with what we eat, Reality: Women and men age differently. At the end of this
how we exercise and century, women are living longer than men. Women tend to have
ways that we keep some biological advantages over the course of their lifetime. As
ourselves involved in infants they are more resilient and as adults they are less likely to
the community develop heart disease.
around us."
Since 1920, life expectancy has increased by an average of seven
years for men and 13 years for women. Women in Canada can
now expect to live to 85, while the average life span of a man is
81 years. Because of this, women constitute a particularly large
share of the total senior population in Canada. Women's
longevity means they are more likely to suffer from the chronic
diseases commonly associated with aging. Women are more
likely to suffer from osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure,
incontinence and arthritis than are men.
Myth 3: Old dogs can't learn new tricks.
"As a society, we
have mapped out Reality: Older brains, when challenged with new activities,
what an older person can continue to develop and learn until very late in life. It's
'can and cannot' do. not declining years but an unstimulating life style that can lead to
Often we miss even intellectual decline. Even memory does not need to deteriorate.
looking at oppor-
tunities to do things, In tests, one third of subjects over 70 showed no decline in
and others don't point mental sharpness. One-quarter to one-third of those in their 80s
them out to us, were as successful in the tests as were younger people.
because we see them
as things for younger Myth 4: To be old means to be sick.
people to do. And yet
the only limit is in Reality: About three-quarters of seniors aged 65 to 74 and
our thinking." two-thirds of those aged 75 and older rate their health as
good, very good or excellent. The majority of older people
remain physically fit well into later life. Approximately one-half
of seniors are physically active for 15 minutes or more at least 12
times per month. The most popular physical activities are
walking, gardening, home exercise, and dancing. Approximately
50% of Canadians aged 65 and older report having one or more
chronic conditions. However, only 20% report major limitations
causing them to need assistance with daily activities.
The economic value Myth 5: Most older people need to live in institutions.
of seniors'
 Reality: The vast majority of seniors live at home. In fact, in
1996, 93% of all people aged 65 and over lived in a private
household. Fifty-eight percent lived with either their spouse or a
common-law partner.

Most seniors own their homes. In 1997, 68% of all households

headed by a senior were homeowners. Most senior homeowners
are mortgage-free.
Eighty to eighty-five percent of care provided to the elderly is
provided by family. Of the 7% of all seniors in Canada who DO
live in an institution (254,000 people aged 65 and over), most of
volunteering in them are from the older age ranges, especially older senior
Canada is estimated women.
at between $764
million and $2.3
Myth 6: Older people have nothing to contribute to
billion annually.
society.

Reality: Older people contribute a great deal to their families,

communities, society and the economy. The vast majority of
Canadian seniors are retired. However, many stay active in their
communities by participating in formal volunteer activities. In
1997, 800,000 Canadians aged 65 and over, or nearly one quarter
of the total senior population, participated in a range of volunteer
activities, spending considerably more time on these activities
than people in other age groups.

As well, the majority of seniors (69% in 1997) provide one or

more types of assistance to spouses, children and grandchildren,
friends, and neighbours. In 1995 just under 20% of people aged
65 or older looked after children at least once a week. Seniors
play an important role in keeping health costs down by providing
care to spouses and neighbours.
Seniors are also the largest per capita donors to charity in the
Canadian population. Financial gifts to family also account for a
relatively large share of their spending.
Writer:
Phyllis Price
Sources:
 World Health Organization (1999). Ageing: Exploding the
Contributors:
Myths. Ageing and Health Programme.
Rev. Canon Sid
 Canada Coordinating Committee (1999). Canada, A
Davies
Society for All Ages: Information Kit. IYOP Canada
Irene Rose
Coordinating Committee.
John Ryan
 Collins, Robert (1997). You Had to Be There. MacLellan
Mary Simpson
and Stewart.
Marilyn More Worth
 Friedan, Betty (1993). The Fountain of Age. Simon and
and the Atlantic
Schuster.
Seniors Health
 Lilley, Susan and Campbell, Joan M. (1999). Shifting
Promotion
 Sands: The Changing Shape of Atlantic Canada. Health
Promotion and Programs Branch, Health Canada.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/pubs/sands/sands_e.
htm
 MacLellan, Marlene (1998). Attitudes, Values and Beliefs
about Aging -- Test Your Understanding. Nova Scotia
Centre on Aging, Mount Saint Vincent University.
Committee  National Advisory Council on Aging (1993). Aging
Vignettes.
 Powell, Douglas H. (1998). The Nine Myths of Aging.
W.H. Freeman and Co.

 Statistics Canada (1999). Snapshots of Seniors. Prepared

for the Division of Aging and Seniors, Health Canada.