Development of Adulthood and Aging | Report

Running Head: DEVELOPMENT OF ADULTHOOD AND AGING
DEVELOPMENT OF ADULTHOOD AND AGING
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DEVELOPMENT OF ADULTHOOD AND AGING
Myths and realities of aging
According to the American psychological association (APA), the sum total of older
Americans in the age group of 65 and above is estimated to double by the year 2060. The
admirable goals to be achieved by the older people of the nation involve a healthy, active, and
productive lifestyle. However, several existing views about aging are built on invalid
information that is not in sync with current scientific advances anymore. Older adults are
frequently categorized by their age and not by distinct individual features. This labeling often
leads to erroneous aging stereotypes. Following myths about aging reflect chief
misconceptions about older adults:
 Older people mostly live in nursing homes, and they end up being alone and lonely
 They show no to minimum interest and capacity to engage in sex or intimacy
 Senility is a customary outcome of aging, and the risk of older adults developing
Alzheimer's' disease cannot be reduced in any way
 Absence of disease is the only indicator of good health in older adults
 Elders turn out to be more religious with age
 Older workers are not as productive as younger workers
 Retired people of older age group suffer a health deterioration and early death
 Most older adults have a poor health status
 Most older people live in conditions of poverty
 Older adults tend to be victims of crime more than other age groups
The realities reveal the incorrectness of the prevailing ageist prejudices in society. The key
realistic views about older people are-
 Only about 5% of older Americans reside in nursing homes at any particular time.
Friends and family play an essential role in the lives of older individuals. Also, a

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DEVELOPMENT OF ADULTHOOD AND AGING
stable friendship with close friends is maintained throughout life. People having
several close friends through life-course continue to befriend many as they age.
 Most of the older adults remain engaged socially and dynamic, carry on their work,
offer to volunteer for different causes, and take on caregiving roles for family
members. Consistent positive interactions with friends and family, help them to
maintain involvement in various social networks, which enumerate positive effects,
both physically and emotionally. On the contrary, solitude disrupts their physical and
emotional wellbeing.
 Even though regularity and rate of sexual activity may decrease in old age, several
older adults sustain a sex life that is physically and emotionally satisfying. The
benefits of remaining sexually active include improved sleep, stress relief, positive
mood, and better satisfaction with the partner.
 Older adults are proficient at learning new skills in later ages, although the process
may take a long time as compared to that in younger adults.
 The risk of older adults to develop Alzheimer's disease is reducible, and underlying
factors such as physical or mental idleness, smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension,
and depression can be modified. Further, cognitive skills can be conserved through an
active lifestyle.
 Another misconception regarding aging is that being old means being ill. Physical
changes with increasing age is a natural phenomenon. Even when older adults
develop one or more disease conditions, they make alterations in their lives in order to
persist independence.
Concept of ageism
A broad definition of ageism is the incidence of any age-related bias or
discrimination. It can be described as a stereotyping or prejudicial treatment against people