Myths Regarding Older Adults and Realities They Face

Human Growth
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Human Growth
Several assumptions and misconceptions are made regarding older adults and the aging process. While only a few people comprehend the positive aspects related to aging, most people do not. One of the common myths is that it is normal for older adults to experience loneliness and depression (Haigh et al., 2018). People may find that they are always alone as they age, which can trigger sadness and anxiety. However, feeling sad, lonely, and anxious is not a normal aspect of aging since they can still experience friendships and relationships that are long-lasting (Haigh et al., 2018). Another myth is that older adults lack the capacity to learn new things. While most people believe that their cognitive power declines as they age, making them unable to learn new things, it is false since they can still construct fresh memories or improve psychomotor skills. It is important to note that slight changes in thinking may result, but most of these changes are positive, where older adults demonstrate wide knowledge from the experiences they have garnered in their lifetime.
The realities older adults face include changes in cognitive abilities that do not necessarily interfere with the person’s daily functioning. In old age, short-term memory will experience substantial changes, while long-term memory will become better with age (Haigh et al., 2018). Older adults can learn new skills at a slower rate than younger adults. In old age, creativity and wisdom do not end; rather, it continues to the end of life. Another reality is that their personality does not change; an outgoing person will always be, even in old age.
Physical changes are common among older adults, which vary depending on their lifestyle and health conditions. While some of them are healthy and active, some of them appear weak. Physical changes that are mostly reported among older adults...