Have you noticed how older persons are portrayed in magazines, advertisements or in the news?
Are these accurate images?
What do you think?
What is the "Truth" About Aging?
Test Your Knowledge:
1.
Most old people are sick and disabled.
True
False
You selected True: Incorrect
False. Research shows that majority of adults over the age of 70 maintain physically active lifestyles. Often they are in better physical condition than people who are much younger. Just think about John Glenn, the famous senator of Ohio, who was the third American to fly in space and the first American to orbit the earth. He is the oldest person to have entered orbit, having flown into space in 1998 at age 77.
You selected False: Correct!
Research shows that majority of adults over the age of 70 maintain physically active lifestyles. Often they are in better physical condition than people who are much younger. Just think about John Glenn, the famous senator of Ohio, who was the third American to fly in space and the first American to orbit the earth. He is the oldest person to have entered orbit, having flown into space in 1998 at age 77.
2.
The older you get, the more senile you become.
True
False
You selected True: Incorrect
FALSE. It is true that older adults are more likely to have memory loss and sometimes other changes in mental functioning. However, the number of us who experience these problems is much smaller than the numbers who stay mentally alert and engaged well beyond age 70. Sandra Day O'Connor was the first female Associate Justice in the history of the Court at the age of 51. She served as a member of the court for 24 years and resigned at the age of 75. Many of the remaining Justices are older adults.
You selected False:
Correct!
It is true that older adults are more likely to have memory loss and sometimes other changes in mental functioning. However, the number of us who experience these problems is much smaller than the numbers who stay mentally alert and engaged well beyond age 70. Sandra Day O'Connor was the first female Associate Justice in the history of the Court at the age of 51. She served as a member of the court for 24 years and resigned at the age of 75. Many of the remaining Justices are older adults.
3.
Older people can no longer contribute to the society.
True
False
You selected True: Incorrect
FALSE. Older adults make up the largest percentage of volunteer labor in the country. Many organizations (profit and non-profit) rely on their older volunteers to accomplish goals that would not be possible without them. Have you heard of Mother Teresa (1910-1997)? She served beyond the age of 70 and created many homes for the dying and the unwanted from Calcutta to New York to Albania. She was one of the pioneers of establishing homes for AIDS victims and for more than 45 years, comforted the poor, the dying, and the unwanted around the world. She was awarded a number of humanitarian awards including the Nobel Peace Prize, at the age of 69. She was the first and only person to be featured on an Indian postage stamp while still alive.
You selected False: Correct!
Older adults make up the largest percentage of volunteer labor in the country. Many organizations (profit and non-profit) rely on their older volunteers to accomplish goals that would not be possible without them. Have you heard of Mother Teresa (1910-1997)? She served beyond the age of 70 and created many homes for the dying and the unwanted from Calcutta to New York to Albania. She was one of the pioneers of establishing homes for AIDS victims and for more than 45 years, comforted the poor, the dying, and the unwanted around the world. She was awarded a number of humanitarian awards including the Nobel Peace Prize, at the age of 69. She was the first and only person to be featured on an Indian postage stamp while still alive.
4.
All older people are pretty much the same.
True
False
You selected True: Incorrect
FALSE. Older people are just as different from each other and have as many different interests and abilities as younger people. Many continue to display their talents throughout their lives. For example, for more than three decades, Doc Watson has been America's most renowned and influential folk guitar stylist and is a living legend in acoustic music. At age 83, Doc was still on the stage and making recordings. He has won six Grammy Awards including one at the age of 79 as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences at age 81. In 1997, Doc received the National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton.
You selected False: Correct!
Older people are just as different from each other and have as many different interests and abilities as younger people. Many continue to display their talents throughout their lives. For example, for more than three decades, Doc Watson has been America's most renowned and influential folk guitar stylist and is a living legend in acoustic music. At age 83, Doc was still on the stage and making recordings. He has won six Grammy Awards including one at the age of 79 as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences at age 81. In 1997, Doc received the National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton.
5.
Older people like to play bingo.
True
False
You selected True: Incorrect
FALSE. Many older adults do like bingo, but it is not for everyone! More and more older adults are taking active vacations, climbing mountains, hiking, cross-country biking, volunteering and enjoying their lives. For many it is a time to enjoy, make new choices, and explore new careers, among other things. Jimmy Carter, former 39th President at the age of 82, is an active volunteer in the development of human rights, peacemaker around the globe, advocate for prevention of HIV/AIDS and also a prolific writer of several books.
You selected False: Correct!
Many older adults do like bingo, but it is not for everyone! More and more older adults are taking active vacations, climbing mountains, hiking, cross-country biking, volunteering and enjoying their lives. For many it is a time to enjoy, make new choices, and explore new careers, among other things. Jimmy Carter, former 39th President at the age of 82, is an active volunteer in the development of human rights, peacemaker around the globe, advocate for prevention of HIV/AIDS and also a prolific writer of several books.
6.
Older people are cranky.
True
False
You selected True: Incorrect
FALSE. Just like younger people, some older people are happy, some are cranky, some are healthy, some are sick, some are rich, and some are poor. They all have similarities as well as differences and that's what makes them special.
You selected False: Correct!
Just like younger people, some older people are happy, some are cranky, some are healthy, some are sick, some are rich, and some are poor. They all have similarities as well as differences and that's what makes them special.
7.
Older people are wise.
True
False
You selected True: Correct!
Because older people have lived for such a long time, they have memories and experiences that they can share with people from the younger generation. Often times, there are many things that we can learn and better understand from talking with an older person.
John Hope Franklin, born 1915, is the James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History at Duke University. He is a United States historian and in 1995, at the age of 80 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. On November 15, 2006, he was the third recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize for lifetime achievement in the study of humanity.
You selected False: Incorrect
TRUE. Because older people have lived for such a long time, they have memories and experiences that they can share with people from the younger generation. Often times, there are many things that we can learn and better understand from talking with an older person.
John Hope Franklin, born 1915, is the James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History at Duke University. He is a United States historian and in 1995, at the age of 80 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. On November 15, 2006, he was the third recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize for lifetime achievement in the study of humanity.
8.
Most older people live in nursing homes.
True
False
You selected True: Incorrect
FALSE. Less than 5% of older persons above 65 years of age live in nursing homes. Many older persons have active and healthy lifestyles. Claude Monet (1840-1926) the French Impressionist painter, who died at the age of 86, painted till the end of his final years in spite of his failing eyesight.
You selected False: Correct!
Less than 5% of older persons above 65 years of age live in nursing homes. Many older persons have active and healthy lifestyles. Claude Monet (1840-1926) the French Impressionist painter, who died at the age of 86, painted till the end of his final years in spite of his failing eyesight.
9.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
True
False
You selected True: Incorrect
FALSE. Research shows that people of any age can learn new skills and activities, including older persons. Did you know that former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 80th birthday, with a parachute jump from 13,000 feet over his presidential library!
You selected False: Correct!
Research shows that people of any age can learn new skills and activities, including older persons. Did you know that former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 80th birthday, with a parachute jump from 13,000 feet over his presidential library!
References:
2. Careers in Aging: Opportunities and Options
Association for Gerontology in Higher Education www.aghe.org