MYTHS OF AGING

1
MYTHS OF AGING

• An Introduction to the
• MacArthur Foundation Study
• of Successful Aging

2
Background Gerontology in the Mid-1980s

• persistent preoccupation with disability,
  disease, chronological age
• a serious underestimation of the effects of
  lifestyle other psychosocial factors on
  well-being of older persons.

3
The Project

• a long-term research program to gather the
  knowledge needed to improve older Americans
  physical mental abilities.
• 16 Scientists--Interdisciplinary
• Emphasis the positive aspects of aging

4
The Study

• Over 10 million in support
• Sub-projects
• Studies of over 1000 high-functioning older
  people for 8 years
• Studies of hundreds of pairs of Swedish twins
  (genes vs lifestyle)
• lab-based studies of OA response to stress
• studies of brain aging in humans animals

5
Aging in America We ARE Getting Older--WHY?

• Reduction in infant mortality childhood death
  rates in 19th early 20th Centuries
• Decline in death rates among middle-age and older
• People are taking better care of themselves
• Science medicine are taking better care of them
  as well

6
How Long Can We Live?

• Centenarians
• Rare in 1900
• 1982--32,000
• 1998--61,000
• Mid-21st Century--600,000

7
How Long Can We Live?

• In almost every species, the oldest age observed
  is approximately six times the length of time
  from birth to maturity. In the human case, this
  argues for a span of 108 or 120 years
• On the other hand, many scientists now feel that
  it is unlikely that there is any fixed life span
  limit.

8
Undeniable Trends With Astonishing Implications

• The reshaping of the age pyramid to a slightly
  lopsided square pillar (pp. 8-9, Rowe Kahn)
• the emergence of a striking preponderance of
  women.
• Todays OAs More education greater access to
  health care improved sanitary conditions

9
On to the Myths...

• The topic of aging is durably encapsulated in a
  layer of myths in our society..a confusing blend
  of truth and fancy.
• the elderly are depicted as a figurative ball
  and chain holding back an otherwise spry
  collective society.
• Gerontologistshave been as much a part of the
  problem as the solution.

10
MYTH 1 To Be Old Is To Be Sick

• Shift in patterns of illness in OAs
• From
• acute, infectious illness--gtchronic illness

11
Most Common Ailments

• Arthritis-- 50
• Hypertension/Heart Disease--1/3
• Diabetes--11
• Disorders Affecting Communication
• Hearing impairment--32
• Cataracts--17
• Macular degeneration--9

12
Comparison of OAs 1960/1990

• Dramatic Reductions
• Hi BP
• Hi Cholesterol
• Smoking
• of Diseases present
• Lost teeth due to dental disease

13

• Life expectancy has increased
• Data support the Compression of Morbidity
  Theory.
• OAs PERCEPTION of self-health

14
MYTH 2You Cant Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

• the less people are challenged, the less they
  can perform. But research shows that older
  people can, and do, learn new things--and they
  learn them well.
• The pace is different the conditions are
  different. Schools work organizations havent
  yet adapted to these differences.

15
Key Features Predicting Strong Mental FX in OA

• Regular Physical Activity
• Strong Social Support System
• Belief in ones ability to handle what life has
  to offer
• All 3 can be initiated or increased in later
  life.

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For Learning New Skills in OA

• Work at ones own pace
• Have opportunities to practice
• Avoid embarrassment of not being able to keep
  up with younger counterparts

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MYTH 3The Horse is Out of the Barn

• Theres no point in stopping now--the damage is
  already done.
• Nature is remarkably forgiving.

18

• Cigarette smoking
• The good effects of quitting smoking hold
  regardless of age, the number of years one
  smokes, or how heavy the smoking habit

19

• Syndrome X
• A cluster of risk factors together raise the risk
  of heart attack premature death
• High blood sugar and insulin levels
• High blood pressure
• High bad cholesterol triglycerides

20

• High blood pressure
• Drug treatments for high BP reduces risk of
  stroke (gt1/3) and risk of heart attacks (gt1/4)

21

• Exercise
• Increases physical fitness, muscle size,
  strength
• Resistance exercises enhance bone strength
• Improves balance
• Mental exercise helps promote physical ability

22
MYTH 4The Secret is Choose Your Parents Wisely

• The Swedish Twins Study showed that only about 30
  percent of physical aging can be blamed on the
  genes and about half of the changes in mental
  function in aging are genetic.
• We are, in large part, responsible for our own
  old age.

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MYTH 5The lights may be on, but the voltage is
low.

• Sexuality in Old Age
• Sexual activity does tend to decrease in old age
• Tremendous individual differences
• Decline in testosterone highly variable and only
  loosely linked with sexual performance
• The Kinsey report a 50s eye-opener

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MYTH 6OAs dont pull their own weight

• Older people are burdens rather than contributors
  to society
• Unjust because
• Performance measures are wrong
• The playing field is not level
• Millions are ready, willing and able to increase
  their productivity

25

• Wrong Measures
• Only paid work counts as productive

26

• Uneven playing field
• Older people arent given an equal chance for
  paid employment
• Down-sizing, mergers, etc. affect older people
  disproportionately
• Its simple Agism at work in the workplace

27
But the Real Truth is

• Many are Ready, Willing, and Able
• YEP!