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The Nine Myths of Aging
The author presents nine myths of aging that he used to believe in (having entered his seventh decade and suffered through two cataract surgeries and cancer, not to mention having an arthritic knee) - but that actually help to prevent 'optimal' aging. These myths are: · Myth 1: Aging is a boring topic. Not so, says Powell, many interesting innovations in meeting the needs of older people will be needed as the proportion of senior citizens continues to grow; and research is leading to results that will improve the quality of our later years. 'Over 40 per cent of the factors contributing to optimal aging are within our control - exercise, intellectual interests, contact with younger generations' · Myth 2: All old people are pretty much the same. No, research shows that many individuals in their 70s and beyond function as well as their younger counterparts; and that over 40 per cent of the factors contributing to optimal aging are within our control (exercise, intellectual interests, contact with younger generations, etc). · Myth 3: An unsound body equals an unsound mind. In fact, however, we can have a lot wrong with us physically and still remain sharp intellectually. The author recommends maintaining normal blood pressure through diet, exercise and medication. · Myth 4: Memory is the first thing to go - whereas the scientific community agrees that other mental powers nose downwards before factual memory declines. The author suggests setting aside plenty of time for complicated tasks, finding ways to augment 'working' memory and avoiding tasks that require you to do two things at once. 'Developing a mental map of rooms in his house, then linking objects to be remembered with specific rooms' · Myth 5: Use it or lose it. Fifty years of research show that as much as we may use our intellectual capacities, they decline as we grow older. To maximise what remains, strategies that are helpful include: working smarter, paying attention to diurnal cycles, using computerised assistance and devising strategies for memory retention. Memory tricks include the 'loci' method which the author himself uses - in his case developing a mental map of rooms in his house, then linking objects to be remembered with specific rooms. · Myth 6: Old dogs can't learn new tricks. But physical and mental capabilities can be improved dramatically with practice. Presently oldsters are learning to use computers in record numbers. · Myth 7: Old people are isolated and lonely. Things we can do to reduce this possibility include reweaving our social networks and seeking virtual friends on the Internet. (The author might care to add in the next edition that using www.DoBe.org people in their home cities can form real groups as opposed to virtual ones and can take part in participative events rather than passive consumer ones.) · Myth 8: Old people are depressed and have every right to be. The facts are that people over 65 report fewer signs of depression than midlife adults. But plan well in advance if you want to continue working, find a way to cope effectively with stress, conduct a life review and monitor your mood state, taking action if depressed. 'The qualities of wisdom are modesty, kindness, dispassion and self-control' · Myth 9: Wisdom requires being smart and elderly. The qualities of wisdom have little to do with intelligence. They are modesty, kindness, dispassion and self-control. Wisdom, says the author, comes from a life fully lived, from suffering, self-knowledge and continuous learning. The Nine Myths of Aging by Douglas Powell, published by W. H. Freeman (1998, ISBN 0 7167 3104 5, 246 pages).
Copyright
© 2002 Global Action on Aging
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