10 Common Aging Myths Debunked

Weight gain is inevitable! You’ll start slowing down the second you turn sixty-five! You’ll feel empty inside once your kids leave the house! Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard any of these facts. Now, raise your other hand if you’ve carried them with you into adulthood. What if we told you that those aren’t facts at all, but rather harmful myths that can keep older adults from living their happiest, healthiest lives? In fact, you can enjoy your hobbies, make friends, and do everything you ever wanted, no matter how many candles grace your next birthday cake!

Myth 1: Depression is normal.

Did you know that depression affects around 22% of men and 28% of women aged 65 and older? Some older adults may think depression is a normal part of life. Maybe they didn’t seek help for depression when they were younger, and now it’s become their constant companion. Or maybe isolation and loss of friends or loved ones have tinged their mood a perpetual blue. If you’re suffering from depression, seek treatment! Depression is a serious mental health issue, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ever be happy again. You still have good days ahead of you!

To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call (800) 273-TALK (8255). For veterans in crisis, press 1.

Myth 2: It’s too late for therapy.

You might think your issues are too deeply seated for a therapist to unpack. Or you might think that therapy doesn’t really work. Neither of those things is true! Older adults can still overcome unhealthy habits and destructive behaviors, no matter how set in your ways you might feel. Click HERE to find a therapist near you. Alternatively, you can click HERE if you’d like to narrow your search to teletherapists only.

Myth 3: Seniors outgrow anxiety.

Unlike friendships or a certain hairstyle, anxiety isn’t something we outgrow. You might be struggling with anxiety if you:

• Feel nervous, tense, or on edge.
• Have an impending sense of doom.
• Have an accelerated heart rate or breathe rapidly.
• Struggle to concentrate or think about anything but your worries.
• Can’t sleep.
• Have stomach issues.
• Feel the need to avoid things that trigger your anxiety.

If you’re suffering from an anxiety disorder, don’t sweep it under the rug and pretend it doesn’t exist. Seek immediate treatment. Contact your doctor and be honest about your mental health struggles. Don’t waste precious time battling demons when you could be living your best life!

Myth 4: Older adults don’t need as much sleep.

There are countless reasons why an older adult may not be getting their eight hours in. For some, it might be insomnia. For others, it might be that crick in their back they’ve had since ’78. Some might be used to feeling tired all the time and compensate with coffee or tea. Others might feel their sleeplessness is just something that happens to older adults as they age. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Older adults still need sleep. Not getting enough of it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and depression. If you have trouble staying asleep during the night, try to take naps during the day. Or bring it up to your doctor the next time you see them. You could also give melatonin gummies a try!

Read Next: 11 Secrets To Better Sleep as You Age

Myth 5: When it comes to dementia, it’s a matter of “when” and not “if.”

Nope! Losing your memory as you age is not inevitable. While about 1 in 9 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s, not every person is going to develop memory disorders, especially if they live a healthy lifestyle. That means staying physically and socially active. It also means eating a healthy diet. And don’t forget to challenge your brain every now and then with puzzles or a good book!

Myth 6: Older Adults can’t quit smoking.

If you’re a habitual smoker who started young, you may think it’s too late to break up with your cigarettes. (My grandmother held onto that belief all the way to the grave.) Fortunately, anyone can give up smoking, no matter how long cigarettes have been their coping mechanism. Remember, smoking increases your risk of lung cancer, arthritis, and type 2 diabetes, so there are more reasons to quit than not! Don’t convince yourself you’re too old to quit smoking. You’re never too old to get healthy!

Myth 7: Older adults don’t need friends.

Speaking of cigarettes, loneliness may be as detrimental to one’s health as smoking 15 of them a day. (Yes, really!) You might have convinced yourself you don’t need any friends. But deep down, you probably know that isn’t true. If you don’t have any friends, it’s not too late to make them! Join a book club or visit a church near you. Senior centers are also a great place to meet new people.

Myth 8: Seniors HAVE to stop driving at a certain age.

Your age doesn’t determine your driving skills. Yes, cognitive decline and certain physical changes can make it harder to drive, but you don’t have to trade in your car the second you become a senior. As long as you can still react to other drivers quickly and follow the rules of the road, you still deserve your license!

Myth 9: Older adults can’t learn new skills.

Whoever said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks couldn’t be more wrong! Older adults can still learn new skills and enjoy new hobbies. If you’d like to learn how to write or paint, don’t buy into the myth that you can’t!

Myth 10: Addiction doesn’t affect older adults.

Nearly one million adults aged 65 and older have substance abuse problems. As a matter of fact, adults may be even more susceptible to addiction. That’s because older adults metabolize substances more slowly, so their brains can be more sensitive to drugs. Some of the most common addictions older adults face include:

• Prescription medicine
• Opoids
• Marijuana
• Medical marijuana
• Nicotine
• Nicotine vaping
• Alcohol

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