Human Growth and Development: Myths and Realities of Ageing

This essay delves into the prevalent myths surrounding ageing, addressing misconceptions related to physical health, psychological well-being, economic stability, and social status within older adulthood. The author highlights common beliefs, such as the assumption of physical dependency and financial dependence, often linked to lower socio-economic backgrounds and lack of employment opportunities. The essay examines the impact of these myths, particularly the link between poverty and mental health issues like depression, and references research on the growing number of elderly individuals experiencing depression and dementia. The author concludes that while some truths underpin these beliefs, old age can affect multiple facets of a person's life, with more adverse effects for those living below the poverty line. The essay uses references from various sources to support the points made.

Running head: HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
The term ‘ageing’ could have multiple connotations. The process could be biological,
social, or psychological. The term represents the accumulation of events and the changes that
they led to throughout the course of the life of the individual. The changes could be internal or
evident. For this assignment, the myths surrounding ageing when an individual moves into older
adulthood will be discussed.
There are certain beliefs that are related to aged individuals. They pertain to multiple
factors regarding the person concerned. They could involve physical health, psychological
health, economic condition, social status, and much more. When physical heath is concerned, a
common thought that exists within people is that elderly people are physically incapable of living
independently and therefore, need assistance or professional help to do so. This is prevalent in
the communities which possess a lower socio-economic status. The reason behind the myth
probably arises from the fact that older people are less likely to continue with their employment.
This could be due to chronic illness or lack of amenities. Such situation escalates in lower
economic strata where poverty is the main cause. Elderly people who are poverty-stricken might
not be able to buy food, prescribed medication, and other necessary daily items (Berkowitz,
Seligman, & Choudhury, 2014).
Another myth about senior individuals is that they are financially dependent and need aid
to survive in society. Socio-economic strength is one of the key factors, which determines the
quality of life of the older aged people. In America, nearly 14.6% of the senior community live
below the official threshold of poverty. Income from social security is one the main source of
sustenance for these people. In the year 2014, 61% of people of and above 65 years received
almost half of their earnings through social security (Social Security Administration, 2016) and

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social security benefits comprised 90% of the household income of 21% of married couples and
46% of unmarried senior individuals (Social Security Administration, 2015)
This brings forward the next belief regarding the topic. Old age brings along loneliness
and this could cause depression and other psychological disorders, due to familial loss,
instability, and other relevant factors. Poverty and economic adversity increases the
susceptibility to depression. In recent research it has been seen that with higher life expectancies
that before, the current population projections show that there would be a increase in the number
of diagnosed cases of depression and dementia among the elderly people in the coming 25 years.
Old age could act as the primary risk factor behind such a situation (Dallaire, McCubbin,
Carpentier, & Clement, 2008).
From a personal point of view, experience could be a factor behind someone choosing to
believe or perpetuate the said myths. However, in conclusion, there is some truth behind these
beliefs, which exist in the people’s minds. Old age not only affects physical and mental health, it
could also affect the social and economic status of persons. This effect could be more averse to
the ones living below the poverty line, due to the lack of amenities and finances.

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References
Berkowitz, S. A., Seligman, H. K., & Choudhry, N. K. (2014). Treat or eat: Food insecurity,
cost-related medication underuse and unmet needs. The American Journal of Medicine,
127, 303–310. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.01.002
Dallaire, B., McCubbin, M., Normand, C, & Clement, M. (2008). Representations of the elderly
with mental health problems held by psychosocial practitioners from community and
institutional settings. Social Work in Mental Health, 7(1–3), 139–152.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15332980802072488
Social Security Administration. (2015). Fast facts & figures about social security, 2015.
Retrieved from
https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/fast_facts/2015/fast_facts15.pdf
Social Security Administration. (2016). Fast facts & figures about social security, 2016.
Retrieved from
https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/fast_facts/2016/fast_facts16.pdf