|
 |
|
|
 |
Myth #1 | Myth #2 | Myth #3 | Myth #4 | Myth #5 Myth #4 Getting old means being sad, lonely, and unproductive. Relatively few older people fall into dispair. A recent survey of 2,700 adults aged 25 to 74 found that the older the respondents, the more often they reported positive emotions like cheerfulness, good spirits, and happiness. Other studies have shown that people in their 80's or 90's are less likely than middle-aged and younger people to report negative feelings like depression, hopelessness, or anxiety. Despite the widespread impression that legions of elderly are warehoused in nursing homes, only about 5 percent of people over age 65 actually live in instutions& and the proportion is declining. Most seniors are active. About one third have a paying job, one third regularly participate in volunteer activities, and the vast majority engage in some meaningful activity or hobby like gardening or helping care for grandchildren. Staying connected is particularly important, since isolated older people have a death rate that is two to four times higher than that of those with strong social ties.
|
