MYTHS OF AGINGMYTHS OF AGING

An Introduction to theAn Introduction to theMacArthur Foundation StudyMacArthur Foundation Study

of Successful Agingof Successful Aging

Background: Gerontology Background: Gerontology in the Mid-1980’sin the Mid-1980’s

“…“…persistent preoccupation with persistent preoccupation with disability, disease, & chronological disability, disease, & chronological age”age”

“…“…a serious underestimation of the a serious underestimation of the effects of lifestyle & other effects of lifestyle & other psychosocial factors on well-being psychosocial factors on well-being of older persons”.of older persons”.

The Project:The Project: “…“…a long-term research program a long-term research program

to gather the knowledge needed to to gather the knowledge needed to improve older Americans’ physical improve older Americans’ physical & mental abilities”.& mental abilities”.

16 Scientists--Interdisciplinary16 Scientists--Interdisciplinary Emphasis: the positive aspects of Emphasis: the positive aspects of

agingaging

The Study:The Study: Over $10 million in supportOver $10 million in support Sub-projects:Sub-projects:

– Studies of over 1000 high-functioning Studies of over 1000 high-functioning older people for 8 yearsolder people for 8 years

– Studies of hundreds of pairs of Swedish Studies of hundreds of pairs of Swedish twins (genes vs lifestyle)twins (genes vs lifestyle)

– lab-based studies of OA response to stresslab-based studies of OA response to stress– studies of brain aging in humans & studies of brain aging in humans &

animalsanimals

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

Reduction in infant mortality & Reduction in infant mortality & childhood death rates in 19th & early childhood death rates in 19th & early 20th Centuries20th Centuries

Decline in death rates among middle-Decline in death rates among middle-age and olderage and older– People are taking better care of People are taking better care of

themselvesthemselves– Science & medicine are taking better care Science & medicine are taking better care

of them as wellof them as well

How Long Can We Live?How Long Can We Live? Centenarians:Centenarians:

– Rare in 1900Rare in 1900– 1982--32,0001982--32,000– 1998--61,0001998--61,000– Mid-21st Century--600,000Mid-21st Century--600,000

How Long Can We Live?How Long Can We Live? ““In almost every species, the oldest age In almost every species, the oldest age

observed is approximately six times the observed is approximately six times the length of time from birth to maturity. In length of time from birth to maturity. In the human case, this argues for a span the human case, this argues for a span of 108 or 120 years…”of 108 or 120 years…”

““On the other hand, many scientists On the other hand, many scientists now feel that it is unlikely that there is now feel that it is unlikely that there is any fixed life span limit”.any fixed life span limit”.

Undeniable Trends With Undeniable Trends With Astonishing ImplicationsAstonishing Implications The reshaping of the “age pyramid” The reshaping of the “age pyramid”

to a “slightly lopsided square pillar” to a “slightly lopsided square pillar” (pp. 8-9, Rowe & Kahn)(pp. 8-9, Rowe & Kahn)

“…“…the emergence of a striking the emergence of a striking preponderance of women”.preponderance of women”.

Today’s OA’s: More education; Today’s OA’s: More education; greater access to health care; greater access to health care; improved sanitary conditionsimproved sanitary conditions

On to the Myths...On to the Myths... ““The topic of aging is durably The topic of aging is durably

encapsulated in a layer of myths in our encapsulated in a layer of myths in our society..a confusing blend of truth and society..a confusing blend of truth and fancy”.fancy”.

“…“…the elderly are depicted as a the elderly are depicted as a figurative ball and chain holding back an figurative ball and chain holding back an otherwise spry collective society”.otherwise spry collective society”.

““Gerontologists…have been as much a Gerontologists…have been as much a part of the problem as the solution”.part of the problem as the solution”.

MYTH #1: MYTH #1: To Be Old Is To Be SickTo Be Old Is To Be Sick

Shift in patterns of illness in OA’s:Shift in patterns of illness in OA’s: From:From: acute, infectious illness-->chronic acute, infectious illness-->chronic

illnessillness

Most Common AilmentsMost Common Ailments Arthritis-- ~50%Arthritis-- ~50% Hypertension/Heart Disease--~1/3Hypertension/Heart Disease--~1/3 Diabetes--11%Diabetes--11% Disorders Affecting CommunicationDisorders Affecting Communication

– Hearing impairment--32%Hearing impairment--32%– Cataracts--17%Cataracts--17%– Macular degeneration--9%Macular degeneration--9%

Comparison of OA’s Comparison of OA’s 1960/19901960/1990

Dramatic Reductions:Dramatic Reductions:– Hi BPHi BP– Hi CholesterolHi Cholesterol– SmokingSmoking– # of Diseases present# of Diseases present– Lost teeth due to dental diseaseLost teeth due to dental disease

Life expectancy has increasedLife expectancy has increased

Data support the “Compression of Data support the “Compression of Morbidity” Theory.Morbidity” Theory.

OA’s PERCEPTION of self-healthOA’s PERCEPTION of self-health

MYTH #2MYTH #2You Can’t Teach an Old You Can’t Teach an Old

Dog New TricksDog New Tricks “…“…the less people are challenged, the the less people are challenged, the

less they can perform. But research less they can perform. But research shows that older people can, and do, shows that older people can, and do, learn new things--and they learn them learn new things--and they learn them well”.well”.

The pace is different; the conditions are The pace is different; the conditions are different. Schools & work organizations different. Schools & work organizations haven’t yet adapted to these haven’t yet adapted to these differences.differences.

Key Features Predicting Key Features Predicting Strong Mental FX in OAStrong Mental FX in OA Regular Physical ActivityRegular Physical Activity Strong Social Support SystemStrong Social Support System Belief in one’s ability to handle Belief in one’s ability to handle

what life has to offerwhat life has to offer

*All 3 can be initiated or increased *All 3 can be initiated or increased in later life.in later life.

For Learning New Skills in For Learning New Skills in OA:OA:

Work at one’s own paceWork at one’s own pace

Have opportunities to practiceHave opportunities to practice

Avoid embarrassment of not being Avoid embarrassment of not being able to “keep up” with younger able to “keep up” with younger counterpartscounterparts

MYTH #3MYTH #3The Horse is Out of the The Horse is Out of the

BarnBarn ““There’s no point in stopping now--There’s no point in stopping now--

the damage is already done”.the damage is already done”.

““Nature is remarkably forgiving”.Nature is remarkably forgiving”.

Cigarette smoking: Cigarette smoking:

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

Syndrome XSyndrome X A cluster of risk factors together A cluster of risk factors together

raise the risk of heart attack & raise the risk of heart attack & premature deathpremature death– High blood sugar and insulin levelsHigh blood sugar and insulin levels– High blood pressureHigh blood pressure– High “bad cholesterol” & triglyceridesHigh “bad cholesterol” & triglycerides

High blood pressureHigh blood pressure

Drug treatments for high BP Drug treatments for high BP reduces risk of stroke (>1/3) and reduces risk of stroke (>1/3) and risk of heart attacks (>1/4)risk of heart attacks (>1/4)

ExerciseExercise– Increases physical fitness, muscle Increases physical fitness, muscle

size, & strengthsize, & strength– Resistance exercises enhance bone Resistance exercises enhance bone

strengthstrength– Improves balanceImproves balance– Mental “exercise” helps promote Mental “exercise” helps promote

physical abilityphysical ability

MYTH #4MYTH #4The Secret is Choose Your The Secret is Choose Your

Parents WiselyParents Wisely The Swedish Twins Study showed that The Swedish Twins Study showed that

only about 30 percent of physical only about 30 percent of physical aging can be blamed on the genes aging can be blamed on the genes and about half of the changes in and about half of the changes in mental function in aging are genetic.mental function in aging are genetic.

““We are, in large part, responsible for We are, in large part, responsible for our own old age”.our own old age”.

MYTH #5MYTH #5The lights may be on, but The lights may be on, but

the voltage is low.the voltage is low. Sexuality in Old AgeSexuality in Old Age

– Sexual activity Sexual activity does does tend to decrease tend to decrease in old agein old age

– Tremendous individual differencesTremendous individual differences– Decline in testosterone highly Decline in testosterone highly

variable and only loosely linked with variable and only loosely linked with sexual performancesexual performance

– The Kinsey report: a 50’s eye-openerThe Kinsey report: a 50’s eye-opener

MYTH #6MYTH #6OA’s don’t pull their own OA’s don’t pull their own

weightweight Older people are burdens rather Older people are burdens rather

than contributors to societythan contributors to society

Unjust because:Unjust because:– Performance measures are wrongPerformance measures are wrong– The playing field is not levelThe playing field is not level– Millions are ready, willing and able to Millions are ready, willing and able to

increase their productivityincrease their productivity

Wrong MeasuresWrong Measures

– Only paid work counts as productiveOnly paid work counts as productive

Uneven playing fieldUneven playing field

– Older people aren’t given an equal Older people aren’t given an equal chance for paid employmentchance for paid employment

– Down-sizing, mergers, etc. affect Down-sizing, mergers, etc. affect older people disproportionatelyolder people disproportionately

– It’s simple: Agism at work in the It’s simple: Agism at work in the workplaceworkplace

But the Real Truth is:But the Real Truth is:

Many are Ready, Willing, and AbleMany are Ready, Willing, and Able

YEP!YEP!