Recently, I had dinner with a very intelligent, older woman who told me point-blank that
in the United States, 50% of people over sixty have dementia. That shocked me.

I had no idea a whopper of a myth like this was floating around, especially when facts firmly dispute this. According … [Read More ...]

While the statement is accurate, as my grandmother always said, the devil’s in the details.
Reading the fine print, as we older adults were so often told to do, reveals that one kind of
intelligence does peak by the time we reach thirty, our fluid intelligence. One of the facets … [Read More ...]

Warning: Please read this myth without holding a liquid in your hand (or mouth!) as spillage is
likely to occur.

Almost every person with a few gray hairs who meets with a younger health practitioner has
felt the indignity of this myth. Even further distressing, women are victims of even … [Read More ...]

I knew this myth about us older folks existed, but it surprised me how prevalent it is. We know from decades of research that exercise can and should be a lifetime, life-long activity. It “de-ages” us, if you will, and holds the decline of aging at bay.

Exercise is one … [Read More ...]

Older Adults Don’t Remember Anything

Many younger people, even some middle-aged folks believe that older adults have no ability to recall much of anything. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, studies in the last two decades—as the first wave baby boomers reached sixty– blow up this myth. … [Read More ...]

“Only old people are aging.” I want you to think about this belief for a moment. The acceptance of this myth is so pervasive, it took me a few minutes of quiet thinking to see the ageism inherent in it.

Do you think of a five year old as aging? … [Read More ...]

WELL…NOW…LET’S…LOOK…AT…THIS…STEREOTYPE.

Sadly, a term even exists for the adoption of slower and simpler speech patterns when talking to a senior: Elderspeak. The American Psychology Association defines elderspeak as:

Adjustments in speech patterns, such as speaking more slowly or more loudly, shortening sentences or using limited or less complex vocabulary that … [Read More ...]

I find this one of the most confounding ideas of ageism I have ever come across. Authors Bruce E. Blaine and Kimberly J. McClure Brenchley, in their book, The Psychology of Diversity, note that unlike other minorities—racial, LGBT, women– older people acquire their membership as a senior citizen with … [Read More ...]

As I read an article about quilting artists in my Craft Magazine, I could feel my heartbeats speeding up, my hackles rising. I was appalled at how the author put her prejudice against older artists so blatantly on display. How could someone think that artistic expression, fine craftsmanship, and … [Read More ...]