Trisha Mae Aspuria BSN III- PATERSON

ACTIVITY 1: MYTHS OF AGING

Myth: Depression is More Prevalent in Old Age

Fact: According to research, our mental health really becomes better as we age and
then stays stable for the rest of our lives. Older respondents looked longer at the smiling
faces than their younger counterparts did when they were shown a variety of crying,
frowning, and smiling faces. According to research, "the individuals' moods- assessed by
the ratio of happy to negative emotions- progressively improved as they aged."

Myth: Cognitive Decline is Inevitable

Fact: According to recent study, the way cognitive abilities are assessed in lab settings
can actually distort test findings for older people. Older respondents considerably
outperformed younger ones on exams based on real-world, prior knowledge experiences
as opposed to assessments based on manufactured scenarios.

Myth: Older Workers are Less Productive

Fact: According to Harvey Strens University of Akron, "[There is] practically no link
between age and work success." According to studies, older workers outperform their
younger peers in jobs that call for experience. On a four-year period in an automobile
assembly line, a study from the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy
discovered "[that] older workers committed somewhat less severe errors, while the
younger worker's severe error rates edged up."

Myth: Older People are Lonelier

Fact: According to studies, older people often report happier marriages, more positive
friendships, less conflict with their children and siblings, and tighter relationships with
people in their social networks. Also, according to other studies, most adults continue to
make new acquaintances up to the age of 50. Even though they may have fewer
acquaintances, elderly individuals benefit more from their friendships.

Myth: Elderly people are not able to manage their finances

Fact: Older people have a wealth of information and experience.

Myth: The older I get, the less sleep I need

 Similar to other people, older individuals require 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. You
stay healthy and alert when you get adequate sleep. In addition to numerous other
advantages, getting enough sleep can lower your chance of falling and enhance
your general mental health.

Myth: It is inevitable that older people will get dementia

 Despite the fact that dementia risk increases with age, more than two thirds of
seniors 60 and older do not exhibit any symptoms of cognitive deterioration. When
previously healthy brain cells stop communicating with other healthy cells and pass
away, dementia develops. While dementia cannot be prevented from occurring,
evidence suggests that living a healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk of getting it
as you age.
Myth: Older adults should avoid exercising to reduce risk of injury
 "Living an inactive lifestyle is more hazardous than the opposite." Older adults,
particularly those with a chronic illness or handicap, may believe that starting or
maintaining an exercise program will be detrimental rather than beneficial.
Furthermore, older folks have much to gain by being active and much to lose from
spending too much time sitting down.

Myth: Older adults can’t learn new things

 While aging undoubtedly causes certain cognitive changes, many of these changes
are advantageous and encourage the acquisition of new skills. Older age makes
learning new skills simple, probably because you have a lifetime of knowledge to
draw on. Studies have demonstrated that older persons' cognitive performance
improves when they take up new activities or pick up new abilities. You may feel
happier, keep your brain busy, and make new friends by becoming a lifelong
learner.

Myth: Aging can make us “grumpy”

 Happiness tends to increase after the age of 40 and tends to follow a U-shaped curve
with age. The majority of people think that as they age they should become grouchy,
while those who are joyful will stay that way. Of course, a person's attitude is determined
by their personality, not by their age group as a whole.

Myth: Memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease

 Not all memory issues are an indication of Alzheimer's. Consult your doctor to find
out if the memory changes you're observing are typical or if they could be an
indication of anything more problematic.

Here are some additional myths about the elderly that will aid in our knowledge of
them in light of the prevailing myths:
 All old people are the alike, they are boring and usually cranky.
 Old people are senile that is, to say that they suffer from memory, disorientation,
and a sort of a weird behavior
 The basic human needs of an older person are different from those of younger
generation.
 All old people suffer from suffer from a rather backward thought process
 As people age, their ability to learn often diminishes or stops in some cases.
 It is easier for old people to learn new things than it is to recall things from the past.

REFERENCES:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/10-myths-about-aging
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCBW9AZ78tQ
https://slideplayer.com/slide/2479085/