Top 5 Myths about Aging
If you subscribe to common beliefs, then most likely you aren't looking forward to old age. But what if those ideas you've about growing old are wrong? Get the clear answers here
When we think about aging, a grim picture of a lonely elderly who is diseased, senile and wheelchair-bound often comes to mind. It is no wonder that many of us are fearful of growing too old, and would rather die early than to depart from this world in such a state.
“I’m afraid I’m being an awful nuisance.”
– Last words of Edith Sitwell
But studies on seniors who have lived to very ripe old age, 90 years and above in fact, revealed a totally different scenario altogether. Let us look at some of the findings on centenarians and debunk the common misconceptions about aging:
1. The Older I Get, the Sicker I Will Be
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We have seen and probably know of old people who are battling with prolonged illness or even living with disability. We also feel that our body is no longer as strong and flexible with each passing day. So we assume that by the time we grow old, we will be as good as an old car that’s waiting to be discarded and scraped.
But in a study carried out by Boston Medical Center’s New England Centenarian Study (NECS), some 42 percent of the centenarians only developed age-related sickness after 80 years old, and some 15 percent have no age-related illnesses at age 100.
For the remaining who have been suffering from one or more degenerative illnesses for many years, they are still able to live their lives long and independently — quite unlike the bedridden and helpless old people we’ve in mind. Compared with those who developed cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and other ‘old age’ sickness in their middle age, I must say that these old folks did amazingly well. Perhaps we should change the tag line to “the older I get, the healthier I’ve been”.
2. I Won’t Be Able to Look
After Myself When I Grow Old
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Take heart. It’s not as bad as you think. Although most centenarians do suffered some form of disability, studies found that physical handicap only occurs towards the last few years of their lives. The NECS found that 90 percent of centenarians delayed aging-related disability and were still able to take good care of themselves at the average age of 92 years.
The healthy lifestyle choices that you make today will also bear fruits for you when you grow old. In one study, people with better health habits — not smoking, exercise regularly and maintain healthy weight — don’t just live longer but also enjoy more disability-free years. Keep that in mind when you are tempted to find excuses to skip your next gym session.
3. Surely, No One Can Escape Senility
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Contrary to common belief, degeneration of the brain, and in fact diseases, aren’t necessarily part and parcel of old age. A number of cases have been reported of centenarians who kept their gray matters intact till the point of death and autopsy had failed to find any indication of diseases. They died simply because their organs have reached their natural end of life, not because of cancer, heart disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other illnesses. Disease-free, painless death is not something that only happens in story books; it takes place in real life.
The study by Boston Medical Center found that among centenarians who did show declined mental functions, about 90 percent were still able to think clearly and lucidly well into their 90s. Many of them, in fact, delayed dementia until very late in life. So ‘old and senile’ doesn’t always apply to everyone!
4. I’ll Become a Grumpy
& Depressed Old Folk
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As you get older, you probably enjoy reminiscing past glories and recounting every accomplishment you’ve achieved, but you don’t have to be either grumpy or depressed. In fact, if you want to live to 100, learn something from the centenarians: Stop worrying and make plenty of friends.
A research on siblings and offspring of centenarians, who displayed lower mortality rates and lower prevalence rates of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes than their peers, found that personality traits may play an important part in healthy aging. Both sexes in the group tend to score low for neuroticism, but high for extraversion, which are likely to translate into more skillful ways of handling stress, having strong social support and taking personal ownership for their lives.
5. I’ll Die of Loneliness, if Not of Diseases
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Although centenarians outlived many of their spouse, family members and friends, nearly all of them have developed many meaningful relationships, as observed by Professor Thomas Perls, founder of the NECS. Some even have new romance and remarried in their late 80s or 90s. Even those who stayed single throughout their lives surround themselves with friends of all ages and continued to enjoy close bonds with other people. Loneliness is definitely not an inevitable consequence of old age, unless you choose to isolate yourself.
Don’t Blame Your Parents
You may argue that centenarians are endowed with superior genes that slow their aging, and shorten their decline to the last few years of their lives. The vast majority of us with average or bad genes are more likely to face a slow and painful death. There’s some truth in it, but I don’t agree with such a pessimistic view entirely.
I believe that good health habits can help to slow or even prevent our bad genes from rearing their ugly heads. After all, even good genes require a complex interplay between environment, lifestyle, personality, and even luck to manifest their potential. Similarly, if you’ve inherited a tendency for a disease, but living in a culture that advocates daily physical activity, fresh wholesome foods, a happy-go-lucky attitude, and you’ve never been exposed to highly processed foods, then you may never develop the disease despite your genetic weakness.
Even if we can’t live to 100, we can at least mimic the centenarians by reducing the period we spend battling with age-related diseases and disability when we are old. If you are persistent and conscientious enough, I’m sure it is even possible to avoid chronic illnesses like heart attack, stroke, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease altogether and leave this world without diseases.
So what’s the takeaway? Growing old does not necessarily mean becoming senile, helpless, frail or a nuisance to others. It is entirely feasible to be a healthy, independent, happy and active senior who is full of vigor for life, if you decide to be one. Ultimately, the question we should ask ourselves is: What have you done today that will add years of disability- and disease-free years to your life?
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WELL SAID! I agree with you Wholeheartedly! My parents are Very Elderly (89 & 87), & are Still Taking *Good Care of Themselves [Totally]! I don’t offer to Step In & Help Out, because I feel it’s Good For Them to Continue Striving to Do What They CAN! (luckily they think that too
Personally, I would like to live (well/ healthy) until I’m a *HUNDRED…Why Not?
Way to GO>!
Good to hear that you parents are in good shape. Having parents who live to ripe old age also means that you’ve a high chance of following suit. Lucky you! Treasure your good genes and develop their potential.