Accept the silver linings and discover the myths, challenges and resilience strategies that come with old age.

When thinking of old age, the image of a frail person in a rocking chair may come to mind. Let me challenge this image for a minute or two. Did you know that Morgan Freeman rose to fame at 49? Or the fact that Leonardo da Vinci created the iconic Mona Lisa painting at 51? Even Ibn Sina made major scientific and philosophical contributions after 50.

Wow, who would’ve thought? Unfortunately, the reality of old age is sometimes blemished by certain stereotypes and myths. While it’s true that many elderly individuals struggle with a set of challenges, their ability to cope is just as strong as the rest of us. Join us in this bigger challenge as we explore the myths, stressors and resilience strategies of ageing. 

Wait a second, is 70 the new 50?

With recent advancements in medicine and technology, the lives of older individuals have witnessed a significant increase in health and wellness. However, some myths about the elderly persist in our understanding. Let’s take a moment to debunk what misconceptions we may have: 

Myth #1: Older people are helpless and cannot lead a healthy life independently. 

In reality, while some elderly people suffer from certain physical and cognitive challenges, many tend to live a healthy, independent life with the proper access to healthcare and support resources. Many elderly are even financially independent and are fully capable of supporting and contributing back to society.

Myth #2: Elderly individuals often experience severe cognitive and mental decline. 

While it’s true that certain cognitive disorders are associated with old age, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, many still lead a fulfilling life and experience only slight changes in their cognitive functions. Many elderly even exhibit amazing creativity, are fully capable of learning new skills and talents, and are equipped with greater levels of wisdom and cumulative knowledge.  

Myth #3: Most older adults are depressed and lonely. 

Actually, older adults are less likely to feel depressed. Since many of them are able to hang onto life-long relationships and memories, such as those made with friends and families, elderly people are content with the emotionally meaningful social community they have built for themselves over the years. 

Not everyone has it easy. 

Elderly individuals are mostly full of wisdom, experience and willingness to learn. However, this picture that was just painted seems to be different from the one many people are used to. So, where do these misconceptions stem from? The reality of the elderly population is distinctive to each individual and affected by genetics, life choices and environmental factors. Therefore, some older adults are exposed to difficult challenges that affect their well-being and happiness. Let’s take a brief moment to introduce ourselves to these unique risk factors: 

• Loss of autonomy: Due to different reasons, such as retirement and physical or cognitive decline, some individuals of old age may experience loss of autonomy as they would require additional accommodations to perform daily tasks and activities. Moreover, societal attitudes that dismiss elderly autonomy may contribute to such feelings of loss. Consequently, this can further erode their sense of independence and self-worth, leading to feelings of frustration, helplessness, or even depression.

• Chronic illness or physical pain: A major challenge for many elderly is the decline in mobility and dexterity. In addition, as individuals grow older, they may be more vulnerable to certain health conditions or chronic pains such as fatigue, diabetes, heart problems and loss in vision or hearing. 

• Decline in cognitive ability: While severe cognitive decline is not an inevitable consequence of old age, some individuals do struggle with certain cognitive impairments or disorders as they age, making life more difficult, and causing a deterioration in their well-being. 

• Experience of grief: As people grow older, they tend to experience different losses. Whether it is a lost friend, family member, career or health, loss could accumulate, making elderly individuals more susceptible to feelings of grief. Prolonged grief or inability to express such heavy feelings may lead to struggles with depression, anxiety and helplessness. 

Foster the shine of your golden age!

Despite the life changes and challenges that we may experience as we grow older, how do we ensure a healthy life, one that is worthwhile and full of prosperity, excitement and serenity? 

• Be Proactive

Why should we leave all the fun for the younger generations? One way to nurture our resilience as we grow older is to stay active in our communities and involved in the activities we love. Taking deliberate steps to enhance exploration of interests, maintain health and manage stress builds a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. These steps could include a healthy diet, monitoring physical health and even engaging in volunteer work which has been evidenced to decrease depressive, dementia and hypertension symptoms. 

• Physical Exercise 

So, it isn’t rocket science that exercising promotes physical wellness. However, exercising is also significantly effective in maintaining mental and cognitive health as well. You may ask: “Would it be too difficult or dangerous for an older adult to exercise?” Actually, moderate exercising shouldn’t be a problem. And, by exercise, I don’t necessarily mean lifting your weight in dumbbells. It can be anything! Be it dancing, stretching, jogging or even gardening. As long as you’re keeping those muscles active, do what your heart desires. Also, if someone is hesitant about the risk of exercising on their physical well-being, consulting a medical professional is always advisable.

• Build a Community

Sometimes, love truly is a remedy for afflictions. Having strong social connections and emotionally meaningful relationships creates a landscape for resilience, happiness and wellness. Elderly who surround themselves with loved ones, stay in contact with their supportive communities and try to be involved in social events tend to decrease their risk of struggling with emotional distress such as depression and anxiety.

• Professional Help

Ageing gracefully does not necessarily signify a life deficient in health struggles. Life changes are usually accompanied with a set of challenges, unique to each individual. Therefore, understanding our own human limitations is powerful. It allows us to be in-tune with our needs and act accordingly. With age, preparing for medical services and assistance is a necessity. It is also important to stay mindful of our mental health. This means being aware of our warning signs and coping tolerance, and it means seeking a mental health professional when needed.  

A journey of resilience. 

Old age does not have to be the life destination we unwillingly have to reach. It can be a journey filled with purpose and vitality. So, let us rewrite the narrative of ageing. Let us challenge the misconceptions of the elderly, be proactive in maintaining our health, build supportive communities, and let us reach out when we need it. This is because, in the words of the remarkable Betty Friedan:

“Ageing is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”