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The Psychology of Aging
The Gazette ,
March 21, 2001
The major myths/misconceptions about aging
1. Getting old is a dead end - that there's no growth or potential for
being actively engaged. Aging is not all loss and decline inevitably
leading to sadness/depression. It does happen to some, but not to all.
Most seniors are very much engaged.
2. Decline in mental function. This is the most frightening myth for most
people. Fear of loss of independence in this way (or because of physical
ailment) is at the root of all our myths and misconceptions about aging.
3. Old people are abandoned by their families. Not the norm at all. Most
seniors have frequent contact with their children, siblings and friends.
The common denominator in all of the above is fear of losing independence.
Why do these myths/misconceptions arise?
· They arise because we know someone to whom they have happened. As is
human nature, we then tend to focus on that negative aspect. We tell
ourselves, "That's what it's like to be old" when we see someone
who's had a stroke, suffers from dementia, is in a wheelchair, etc.
· We have a tendency to lump all seniors into one demographic group. But
the term senior can cover a span of 40 or 50 years. We wouldn't dream of
generalizing about the period of birth through age 50, so we shouldn't do
the same with seniors. They are a very diverse group. In fact, as people
grow older, they get more different from each other due to individual
milestones: being widowed or other changing family circumstances,
personality is more entrenched, etc. There is no common denominator among
a given group of seniors other than age.
· There is the myth of mental decline. We forget things even when we're
younger. When we're younger, however, we accept/dismiss it as just having
too much on our mind at a given time. But when we're old and forget
things, we automatically blame age.
· "Environmental/societal" factors contribute to the myths as
well, like a crosswalk where even a very able-bodied person has trouble
crossing before the light changes. The senior that holds up traffic trying
to cross doesn't have a problem - the light just changes too fast for
anybody. Things like too-small print on packaging, dim lighting in public
areas, and grey-on-grey elevator buttons all set seniors up to
"fail."
Why do we treat getting old as problem as opposed to a
natural part of life?
· Today, our society responds to situations or intervenes only when they
are problems - when someone is in need. Therefore, if you are in need of
some type of assistance and you are old, then aging is seen as the problem
that has caused you to be in need. In other words, if you have a
"need" for public intervention, then you must have "a
problem."
How do different cultures differ in their views on
aging?
· North American culture embraces youth. By contrast, aboriginal people
view the elderly as repositories of tradition and wisdom, and they are
revered as a result. The Chinese view is very similar.
· Older people in North America are often segregated, living in nursing
homes or the like, and there is not as much interaction between
generations as in some cultures.
· Parents who were first-generation immigrants to Canada can often be
disappointed when they've brought "old country" traditions and
expectations, but their children have adopted the North American thinking
in this regard.
The danger of myths and misconceptions vis-a-vis caregiving:
· Projecting our misconceptions onto a cared-for loved one is HUGELY
damaging. Attitude is the single most important factor in healthy
psychological aging.
· When we project a limiting myth onto a senior, it becomes
self-perpetuating in that it (although it may be done with only good
intentions) fosters dependence ("If I'm supposed to be frail and
feeble at my age, then I must be frail and feeble...."). These myths
rob the person of their opportunity to participate and be independent.
· An example of this would be an adult child unilaterally deciding that
Mom should move out of her house - that the stairs are too dangerous -
even though Mom never considered it and doesn't see the problem.
· There is a term called "dignity of risk," which refers to a
person's entitlement to decide, if they are able, what risk(s) they will
expose themselves to in the name of independence, etc.
· Our reactions to decision-making capability are not good. Just because
a person can't do one thing for him/herself (i.e. balance a cheque book)
doesn't mean he/she can't do another, possibly related task (handle
his/her own finances). (Lots of us can't balance our cheque books!)
· Educate yourself if you're a caregiver! Learn what is a normal result
of aging. Separate fact from fiction/myth.
How do people deal with the role-reversal that often
happens in caregiving?
· Talk it out. Often, people know well in advance that they will end up
being the caregiver for an aging parent or spouse, and they are
comfortable with it when it eventually happens. In cases (like stroke)
where roles can be reversed in a split second, it can take time, and
people just have to work through it, talking it out if the cared-for
individual is able.
What's the best thing about aging?
· The majority of seniors report that they're happy despite health
problems that may be present. People adjust their goals and adapt to
circumstances as they age.
· Things take on different priorities - things that may have caused you
stress 20-30-40 years ago may not be as important to you. Seniors'
accumulated wisdom allows them to accept that there are things you just
can't change.
What's the most important ingredient for healthy aging?
· Attitude!! Having meaning and purpose in life (and it doesn't matter
what it is that gives your life meaning - it could be stamp-collecting -
it's not a value judgment).
· The only thing that separates people like Rick Hansen or Terry Fox from
the rest of us is their attitude toward life. If you have a good, positive
attitude, it can more than compensate for a number of other things that
may be lacking.
Is there "ageism" in our society?
· Yes, and it's incredibly insidious. It's rooted (like all
"isms") in devaluing the aging population - they're past their
prime.
· You can see ageism in action in things like unemployment rates among
seniors and resource allocation (i.e. cutbacks to long-term care
facilities, etc.). You can tell society's valuation of a population by the
amount of resources that are allocated to its members.
How will the baby boomers differ as seniors from their parents'
generation?
· They'll be more demanding. They'll feel "entitled." They will
have an increased level of awareness about their health, what makes people
sick, and know what interventions and medical advances are available to
help them.
Where the study of aging is headed...
· Those who study aging are struggling to separate what is an inevitable
effect of aging from what is avoidable or can be changed. There are memory
changes, etc., but many of these effects of aging can be ameliorated.
Quality Of Life
When asked, seniors indicate the following as being
important to their perceptions of quality of life:
1. Independence: health/well-being; not needing to count on children for
things; ability to travel. They don't relish the idea of having to need
others for basic functions.
2. Relationships: family; friendships are very important.
3. Money to live reasonably well.
Memory
Do we "lose" our memory as we get older?
· A lot of what we call memory "loss" is really just a slowing
down of the ability to retrieve material. It's still there, we're just not
as quick at accessing it as we used to be.
· Verbal fluency may slow down, as does naming (finding names).
· There is some debate over whether it is harder for older people to
solve new tasks.
· Generally, as we get older, we gain a lot of accumulated knowledge,
skill and understanding.
What can we do to help keep our memory in top condition?
· In general, the analogy is like exercise for the body, but it's not
really clear if there is really anything one can do to "tone"
memory.
· Reading, doing crossword puzzles, and other such activities are good to
keep the mind "vigorous."
Culture And Aging
How do different cultures differ in their views on
aging?
· North American culture places a very high premium on youth.
· In contrast, Chinese culture is very reverential and respectful of
seniors. They are valued for their knowledge and experience.
· The main difference in perception is in each society's valuation of its
seniors.
· When these values clash, "Old World" parents can be
disappointed.
· Also, cultures differ in their acceptance of "psychological
problems."
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