You At Your Best

bY Karen rice You at Your beSt Many people make assumptions what it is like to grow "old," and how aging will affect them. Read on to learn about some common misconceptions about aging. Myth: Aging means declining health and/or disability. Fact: There are some diseases that become more common as we age. However, getting older does not automatically mean poor health or that you will be confined to a walker or wheelchair. Plenty of older adults enjoy vigorous health, often better than many younger people. Myth: Depression and loneliness are normal in older adults. Fact: As people age, some may find themselves feeling isolated and alone, leading to feelings of depression, anxiety, and sadness. But these feelings are not a normal part of aging. In fact, studies show that older adults are less likely to experience depression than young adults. However, older adults with depression may have less obvious symptoms or be less likely to discuss their feelings. Myth: The older I get, the less sleep I need. Fact: As people age, they may find themselves having a harder time falling and staying asleep. A common misconception is that a person's sleep needs decline with age. Older adults need the same amount of sleep as all adults — 7 to 9 hours each night. Myth: You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Fact: One of the more damaging myths of aging is that after a certain age, you just won't be able to try anything new or contribute anymore. The opposite is true. Middle-aged and older adults are just as capable of learning new things, creating new memories and thriving in new environments, plus they have the wisdom that comes with life experience. Seeking out new activities and social connections may even boost cognitive health. Myth: It is inevitable that older people will get dementia. Fact: As you age, you may not remember things as easily as in the past, or memories may start to take a little longer to retrieve. Although the risk of dementia grows as people get older, it is not inevitable. A person's chance of having Alzheimer's disease may be higher if he or she has a family history of dementia. However, having a parent with Alzheimer's does not necessarily mean that someone will develop the disease. Many people live into their 90s and beyond without the significant declines in thinking and behavior. While you cannot control the genes you inherited, you can take steps to stay healthy as you age. Brain training, regular exercise, controlling high blood pressure, and not smoking can help keep your memory sharp. Myth: Older adults should avoid exercise so they don't get injured. Fact: As you age, you may think exercise could do more harm than good, especially if you have a chronic condition. But studies show that you have a lot more to gain by being active — and a lot to lose by sitting too much. Often, inactivity is more to blame than age when older people lose the ability to do things on their own. Myth: Now that I am older, I will have to give up driving. Fact: Natural changes can occur with age that may affect a person's ability to drive, like having slower response speed, diminished vision or hearing, and reduced strength or mobility. The question of when it is time to limit or stop driving should not be about age, but rather about one's ability to drive safely. Myth: Only women need to worry about osteoporosis. Fact: While men may not be as likely to have osteoporosis because they start with more bone density than women, one in five men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture. By age 65 or 70, men and women lose bone mass at the same rate. Many of the things that put men at risk are the same as those for women, including family history, not enough calcium or vitamin D, smoking, too much alcohol, and too little exercise. Myth: I'm "too old" to quit smoking. Fact: It doesn't matter how old you are or how long you have been smoking, quitting at any time improves your health, almost immediately. Smokers who quit have fewer illnesses such as colds and the flu, lower rates of bronchitis and pneumonia, and an overall better feeling of well-being. It is never too late to reap the benefits of quitting smoking and setting a healthy example for your children and grandchildren. sources: helpguide.org, Nih National institute on aging (Nia). Myths about aging 4 | You at Your beSt | YouatYourbeSt.nWaonline.com December - Senior HealtH | SunDaY, november 27, 2022

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