We are missing out on a precious opportunity for spiritual growth when we avoid confronting and contemplating what we call death.
By Alison Rose Levy, Contributor
Health, food, and environmental journalist; radio host, Progressive Radio Network
A close colleague and mentor of mine passed away recently. All who knew him were deeply saddened. Many considered his passing “untimely” since he was actively immersed in important projects with hands on the reins until near the end.
Yet he was eighty-six-years old, so his passing was in some sense to be expected. Early in his illness, one of his close friends, a retired cardiologist reassured me, “A man on a mission cannot die before his goal is achieved.”
Both of us wanted to believe this. But it proved not to be true.
After a beloved relative suffered a stroke in his late eighties, his adoring wife confided, “I’m shocked. I never imagined that something like this could ever happen.”
But what surprised me was that death is such a big surprise to so many of us. While our sense of loss and grief is entirely natural, why do we somehow believe that the inevitable can’t happen to us or to those we love?
Many spiritual traditions advise that we keep the end in mind throughout life. But in this culture, contemplating death is seen as “heavy,” a downer. We’re less like Hamlet holding the skull of his family’s court jester, Yorick, and more like Scarlett O’Hara. We plan to think about death not today, but tomorrow or the next day. As a result, when the bell of mortality strikes, we’re totally unprepared.
“Shrinking away from death is something unhealthy and abnormal which robs the second half of life of its purpose,” said Marianne Williamson quoting Carl Jung. She was speaking at the recent Art of Dying conference jointly sponsored by the New York Open Center and Tibet House, and held at Menla Mountain Retreat Center. http://www.tibethouse.us with Williamson, and preeminent Buddhist scholar, Robert Thurman, Ph.D., who offered plenary talks and workshops, the conference featured a number of experienced leaders in spiritual hospice work.
Practitioners and healers who regularly bring presence, caring and spiritual contemplation to people in the transition between life-in-embodiment and death, see vital spiritual lessons for all of us in this inevitable passage. A recurring message throughout the three days, was that we are missing out on an precious opportunity for spiritual growth, when we avoid confronting and contemplating what we call death.
“Who do I need to be to be a trustworthy presence and compassionate person?” asked Frank Ostaseski. A co-founder of the Zen Hospice Project, the first Buddhist hospice in America, and founder of the Metta Institute‘s End-of-Life Care Practitioner Program. Ostaseski shared the inner contemplation that living daily with the dying had awakened in him.
Therese Schroeder-Sheker advises a daily practice of metanoia — contemplating and dying every day to the aspects of ourselves that don’t serve. Schroeder-Sheker has played the harp, and sung at the bedsides of those in transition for over three decades. She founded the palliative medical field of music — thanatology and the Chalice of Repose Project, which trains teachers in palliative music vigils with the dying.
A transparent joy exudes from those who attend the dying. Apparently, the active awareness of death can prompt us to live life with greater integrity, authenticity and purpose, knowing that our actions, thoughts and intentions count.
In our “materialist culture, people think that after death they go to the great Halliburton nothingness — and they are out of all consequences … ” said Robert Thurman, the author of “Why the Dalai Lama Matters.” He warned that “You are not getting out of the consequences of your actions by dying. Everything you do in life matters because it has an infinite resonance in the universe. [Facing up to death] gives us the power to be incredibly caring at even the tiniest level — it’s what guides our practical steps.”
When it comes to being with a loved one who is dying, Frank Ostaseski reminded participants that “We each have the capacity to embrace another’s suffering as our own. We’ve been doing it for thousands of years. You know how to do this — it’s in your bones.”
But he asked, “How did we turn this intimate act of caring for each other into an obligation, duty or profession? Dying is not a medical event — it’s about relationship with the self. We’ve forgotten this, and so we’ve become frightened. Too many people are dying in fear.”
The fear arises because “We see so much pain and suffering. We see genocides, holocausts and Hiroshimas,” says Robert Thurman, but he counsels, “They are real — but not really real. Bodies are incinerated — but souls are not.”
“On some level, we know that,” says Marianne Williamson, who pointed out that we sometimes turn away from death out of denial. Yet we also, on some level, know that the core of who we are does not die.
Fearfully avoiding the reality of death increases suffering at the approach of this inevitable life passage. And, paradoxically, so does the belief that we are nothing but a body.
“We’re born and we die,” Ostaseski noted, inviting us to “sit down with death and have a cup of tea.”
Williamson posed a question for that tete-a-tete:
“What would you do right now if you did not fear death?”
Aging gracefully can present challenges. Human role models, like, say, Betty White or George Clooney, can show us how it’s done. The animal realm can, too. Just for fun, we pulled these six examples of animal inspiration. Enjoy!
1. Tortoises — Take life slow and enjoy the ride
Tortoises are one of the most ancient creatures on the planet, living up to age 150. With an average speed of .17 mph, they’re not winning sprints, but they are highly effective burrowers and have evolved to survive the harsh conditions of the desert. They endure. Tortoises may not be what you’d call the sexiest animals around, but they teach an important life lesson: Slow and steady wins the race.
2. Elephants — Share your memories
Elephants’ brains, the largest among land mammals at about 10.5 pounds (10 percent of their body weight, vs. a human’s 2 percent), are complex. They have the ability to grieve and elephants have been observed performing burial-like ceremonies. Elephants also have excellent problem solving skills; the well-known example of Asian elephant Bandula unhooking the shackles on her feet and then freeing other captive elephants shows a keen intelligence. Scientists have found that older elephants are better at making crucial decisions, such as searching for food and protecting the herd from predators, because of their remarkable memory. We humans can look to elephants for inspiration to share our lifetime of experiences and use our hard-earned knowledge as leaders.
3. Dolphins — Stay true to your friends and family
Dolphins are extremely social and form tight-knit groups, called pods, which range from five to hundreds of members. These aquatic animals are so loyal that they have been observed staying with sick or injured pod members. Dolphins can be friendly to humans, and there are numerous news stories of dolphins rescuing people from drowning and from sharks. Their sense of community and altruism exemplifies how we should approach relationships, which play a critical role as we age. Older adults tend to lose social connectivity after they retire or as their adult children move out of the house or start their own family, so it’s vital to maintain close ties with friends and family — our pods.
4. Zebras — Own your uniqueness
Each zebra has its own stripe pattern — no two are alike. Researchers hypothesize that zebras’ stripes help them hide in the grass, making it difficult for their predators to discern an individual outline to attack. Another more recent theory is that the stripes ward off pesky insects. Their unique coats set these mammals apart looks-wise from all other animals, but their hides also save them. The human lesson is to be grateful for the skin you’re in.
5. Rabbits — Adopt a healthy lifestyle
Rabbits epitomize a healthy lifestyle. These little vegans eat mainly green leafy foods. Plus, they are active and agile. Their physically fit and flexible bodies allow them to do the binky, which is often referred to as the “happy bunny dance.” This move is when rabbits jump into the air and twist their head and body in opposite directions. If we humans ate more vegetables and hopped (or even walked) around all day, maybe with practice we could do the binky, too.
6. Monkeys — Keep having fun
Monkeys groom each other on a daily basis for two reasons: hygiene and social interaction. This co-grooming goes beyond the “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” mentality because of the social bonding that stems from this activity. Monkeys can make most anything fun — even caregiving. These mischievous, curious primates teach us the importance of social bonds, and also to remember to have fun.
Jill was formerly the associate editor for Next Avenue. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University and has written for various Twin Cities publications.
A “senior boom” is happening in American life, and it’s getting bigger by the day. Until very recently, most of the attention paid to this phenomenon has focused on retirement options, pension plans, health care challenges, medical ethics, and research on the biology of aging and the prolongation of life. Surveying recent books, films, and spoken-word audios about later life, we have noticed a number of hopeful signs that signal a broadening and deepening of the way we see the senior years. The added element is an interest in their spiritual dimensions. Here’s a sampling of these new views of aging. (Click on each of the links to read the full review.)
BOOKS
Age Power: How the 21st Century Will Be Ruled by the New Old by Ken Dychtwald (Tarcher/Putnam, 1999)
Here is a wakeup call intended to offer preventative solutions to the age-related questions we face as individuals and as a society. “How we decide to behave as elders will,” writes Dychtwald, “in all likelihood, become the most important challenge we will face in our lives.”
Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders by Mary Pipher (Riverhead, 1999)
This informative and salutary work is designed to help forge ties between the baby boom generation and their parents, who are now residing in the country of old age.
The Force of Character and the Lasting Life by James Hillman (Random House, 1999)
This imaginative, compelling, and always thought-provoking volume turns conventional ideas about aging upside down. In three bold sections, the best-selling author of The Soul’s Code shows how our characters are enriched, deepened, and made meaningful by long life.
From Age-ing to Sage-ing by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Ronald Miller (Warner, 1997)
The Jewish elder who coined the term “spiritual eldering” presents his thoughts on the last stage of life. This is a time to for men and women to “contemplate their life journey, harvest the wisdom of their years, and transmit a legacy to future generations.”
Gray Heroes: Elder Tales from Around the World by Jane Yolen, editor (Penguin Books, 1999)
The editor has gathered a fascinating batch of stories from different cultures about “elders who wear their years well.” The tales are divided into four sections: wisdom, trickery, adventure, and a little bit of love.
Passion for Life: Lifelong Psychological and Spiritual Growth by Anne Brennan and Janice Brewi (Continuum, 1999)
With the doubling of life expectancy since the beginning of the twentieth century, men and woman are challenged to become “architects of their own aging.” The second half of life has become an arena for continued growth and development, i.e. soul-making.
Spiritual Passages: Embracing Life’s Sacred Journey by Drew Leder (Tarcher/Putnam, 1997)
The author taps into all the world’s religions for insights into qualities which can be unfurled by elders. He presents a substantive and sacred model for aging that celebrates self-exploration, change, service, suffering, transformation, and facing death.
A Time to Live: Seven Steps of Creative Aging by Robert Raines (Plume, 1998)
The former director of Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center has written a bright and buoyant volume about the art of creative aging. He masterfully sets anecdotes from his own life alongside poignant illustrative material from contemporary novels, films, and political events.
I’m Not Rappaport (MCA/Universal, 1996)
This feisty drama revolves around an 81-year-old Jewish radical who is a modern-day Don Quixote fighting injustice. He and his best friend have to stand up for themselves in a society that seems determined to treat elders as if they were invisible.
Men With Guns (Columbia TriStar, 1998)
A common task in old age is to secure one’s legacy. A wealthy physician in an unnamed Latin American country who is nearing retirement decides to visit the medical students he trained to serve poor villagers in the countryside. His quest opens and softens his heart.
Nobody’s Fool (Paramount, 1995)
This movie shows that the last stage of life can be one of personal renewal. A crusty and cantankerous handyman in a small town discovers that it is never too late to stir the ashes and light up your life with the glow that comes from love of family and friends.
The Shell Seekers (Republic Pictures, 1994)
A 63-year-old Englishwoman suffers a heart attack and is compelled to review her life and her view of happiness.
The Straight Story (Walt Disney Home Video, 1999)
Alvin Straight is a stubborn and highly principled 73-year-old Iowan who sets out on his John Deere lawnmower to visit his estranged brother who has suffered a heart attack in Wisconsin. His deep yearning for reconciliation gives him the energy and strength he needs to fulfill his mission.
Strangers in Good Company (Touchstone, 1991)
A group of long-lived women take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse when their tour bus breaks down. While they wait for other transportation, they share the stories of their lives with each other.
Waking Ned Devine (Fox, 1999)
In this comedy set in a small village in Ireland, two of the town’s elders creatively expand the possibilities for community life.
SPOKEN-WORD AUDIO
Conscious Aging: A Creative and Spiritual Journey by Various Speakers (Sounds True, 1992)
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Marion Woodman, Maggie Kuhn, Ram Dass, and Bernie Siegel present their ideas on elders as bearers of wisdom, healing, creativity, and vision. This audio program was taped during a conference at the Omega Institute.
The Second Half of Life: The Blossoming of Your Creative Self by Angeles Arrien (Sounds True, 1998)
This teacher and cultural anthropologist explores the three major themes of elderhood: generativity, intimacy, and creativity. This six-cassette package is filled with soul-stirring stories and spiritual practices from indigenous peoples and Greek mythology.
Do you think health complaints are just part of getting older? Our experts bust that myth and help you live better.
By Hallie Levine
Lost sleep, low energy, lagging libido. Those are among the health problems that we often consider a given as we get older. But new research shows they don’t always have to be part and parcel of aging.
“People often blame things on aging that are really due to, say, an underlying medical issue that can be treated, or to a side effect from a drug that they are taking,” says Sharon Brangman, M.D., division chief of geriatrics at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., and a former president of the American Geriatrics Society.
Even your attitude can have an impact. Studies suggest that older adults who think certain health problems are unavoidable have more of them, including poorer memory and a longer recovery from illness. Perhaps that’s because they’re less interested in engaging in healthy behavior that can protect them from disease.
Why do these myths about aging persist? Many physicians have outdated assumptions about older patients, Brangman says. “Most doctors graduated from medical school when geriatrics wasn’t stressed, so they may not know how to respond best to a situation and instead just choose to give a patient another pill,” she says.
We debunk five common myths about aging and give advice on steps you can take to avoid or overcome them.
Myth 1: You’ll Sleep Poorly
Sleep patterns do change as we age. “It takes longer to fall asleep, and you tend to have more frequent awakenings than younger individuals,” says Raj Dasgupta, M.D., a sleep specialist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. You also get less delta—or slow-wave—sleep. That deeper stage helps you consolidate memory. And without enough sleep you feel more tired, irritable, and forgetful during the day.
But many sleep problems common among older people stem from other causes, notably medication used to treat unrelated health conditions. For example, diuretics taken to lower high blood pressure or treat heart failure can cause you to wake up frequently during the night to go to the bathroom.
What you should do: First, ask yourself whether you’re bothered by your changing sleep pattern. “If it’s not affecting your quality of life, it’s not a problem that needs to be fixed,” Dasgupta says.
If you’re unhappy with it, ask your doctor whether any drug you take or underlying health problem could be affecting your sleep.
If those possibilities are ruled out, consider cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s better than medication for sleep problems, research has found. A psychologist can help you practice good sleep habits, such as getting up and going to sleep at the same time each day. That type of short-term counseling often requires several one-hour sessions. “It can be tough to stick to initially,” Dasgupta says, “but if you do, you can really see benefits.”
Watch out for: Sleeping pills. Almost one-third of older adults are prescribed those drugs, but they help people stay asleep only a few additional minutes per night, research by Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs suggests.
And the drugs can pose such risks as next-day grogginess, confusion, and memory problems, especially in older adults, who are more sensitive to side effects from them than younger people.
Myth 2: You’ll Become Frail
About one-third of people older than 65 fall every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s due in part to a natural decrease in blood flow to the cerebellum—the brain’s balancing center—as well as inner ear and vision changes that make it more difficult to orient yourself, says Mary Tinetti, M.D., chief of geriatrics at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven. That decline is often exacerbated by conditions like arthritis and nutritional deficiencies that can lead to nerve damage in the feet.
What you should do: Check your balance and strength. “I stress to all my patients that even at age 75 they should be able to get up from a chair without using the arms, walk across the room, turn quickly, and sit down without any unsteadiness,” Tinetti says.
If you can’t, see your doctor, who can check for underlying conditions that can affect balance (a vitamin B12 deficiency, a slow heart rate, or cataracts, for example). He can also refer you to a physical therapist, who can teach you exercises that strengthen muscle and improve balance.
Watch out for: Blood pressure meds. They sometimes lower your blood pressure too much, causing dizziness when you stand and increasing the risk of falls, especially when starting those drugs or upping a dose. A May 2016 study of 90,127 older adults found a 36 percent increase in serious falls during the first 15 days after starting blood pressure medication.
If you think your medication might be having that effect on you, ask your doctor to check your orthostatic blood pressure, which means comparing your pressure when you’re lying down with your pressure when you stand up. If that test detects a problem, talk with her about lowering your dose or possibly eliminating the drug entirely.
Myth 3: You Will Have No Interest in Sex
For women, levels of both estrogen and testosterone have declined by menopause, which can lower the sex drive and make sex physically uncomfortable. Many older men still have a strong sex drive, but they may have erection problems because of low blood flow to the penis as a result of clogged arteries stemming from such conditions as high cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Despite those changes, “as people are living longer, healthier lives, they have all the same expectations that they have in their younger years, which includes sexuality,” says Marc Agronin, M.D., medical director of mental health and clinical research at Miami Jewish Health Systems.
What you should do: If you’re unhappy with your sex life (and not everyone with diminished sexual interest is), talk with your physician. He should check for conditions such as diabetes that can affect arousal. You should also be screened for mood disorders, because up to 90 percent of people with untreated depression experience low libido.
Watch out for: A jump to medication. “Even among older people, psychological issues such as a poor relationship are often the basis for sexual problems, and no medication can fix that,” Agronin says.
More men and even some women are being prescribed testosterone, but taking supplemental doses of it is no magical cure. It has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease in men, for example, and possibly to breast cancer in women.
Prescription drugs to treat erectile dysfunction, including sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis), can help some men. But they can also cause such side effects as dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision, so be cautious with them. The Food and Drug Administration approved a drug called flibanserin (Addyi) in 2015 for boosting libido in women, but research suggests it isn’t very effective.
Myth 4: Confusion and Memory Loss Are the Norm
“As part of so-called ‘normal’ aging, your mind does slow a bit,” says Ronald Petersen, M.D., a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Brain neurochemicals change over time, he says, which explains the little glitches, such as forgetting where you put your keys or the name of a friend at a party.
But only up to 20 percent of people experience more serious problems with thinking or memory, studies suggest. And even that can sometimes be slowed. “Brain aging is not passive—there’s a lot you can do to slow down the process,” says Gary Small, M.D., director of the UCLA Longevity Center. (Read more about how to preserve your memory as you age.)
What you should do: Make sure your doctor screens for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, and depression—untreated, they can cause cognitive changes—and for hearing and vision loss. If you’re straining to hear or see, your brain can’t focus on encoding memories, Small says.
Watch out for: Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, Sominex, and generic), anti-anxiety drugs such as diazepam (Valium and generic), and antidepressants such as amitriptyline. They have been linked to cognitive impairment and dementia.
Myth 5: You’ll Become Lonely and Depressed
Older people are no more likely than younger ones to be depressed, says Robert Roca, M.D., chairman of the American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Geriatric Psychiatry.
And when they do become depressed, “usually it stems from a loss associated with growing older,” Roca explains. “They lose loved ones or friends, they lose their identity because they retire, their physical vigor declines and they can’t do as many activities as they used to.”
What you should do: Ask your doctor to screen for depression. She can do that with a simple quiz that covers such topics as appetite loss and sleep difficulties.
If you’re mildly depressed, increasing your physical and social activities can help, Roca says. The next step might be therapy—either cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy—or, if your depression doesn’t ease, medication.
Watch out for: Anti-anxiety medications. Some doctors prescribe them to treat depression, but this class of drugs, known as benzodiazepines, isn’t appropriate for that purpose. Those drugs also carry the same risks as sleeping pills for older adults, and they can be addictive.
Revised by Linda Breytspraak1, Ph.D., and Lynn Badura, B.A., Grad. Gerontology Certificate Gerontology Program
University of Missouri-Kansas City
There have been a number of versions of quizzes on aging, patterned after Erdman Palmore’s landmark “Facts on Aging Quiz” that appeared in two issues of The Gerontologist (1977; 1981). The initial version developed at UMKC was authored by Linda Breytspraak, Ph.D., Burton Halpert, Ph.D., and Liz Kendall, M.A. The current revision of that initial version was authored by Linday Breytspraak, PhD, and Lynn Badura, B.A., Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.
About half the items in the current quiz are similar or identical to Palmore’s. The other half represent issues that have received more attention since his quiz was developed or were judged by the authors to be of significant interest now. This 2015 revision has all the same questions as the original version with a few small wording changes in several items. The authors have drawn on current research and gerontological and geriatric texts to answer the questions. We provide a reference list, divided into (1) general sources and (2) sources used to document data or specific trends discussed in answers to particular questions.
The authors of the 2015 version grant permission for anyone to use the Facts on Aging Quiz for educational purposes as long as credit is given using the following citation:
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). Retrieved from http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/.
1 Contact information for first author: breytspraakl@umkc.edu
Facts on Aging Quiz
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1. The majority of old people (past 65 years) have Alzheimer’s disease. 2. As people grow older, their intelligence declines significantly. 3. It is very difficult for older adults to learn new things. 4. Personality changes with age.
5. Memory loss is a normal part of aging.
6. As adults grow older, reaction time increases.
7. Clinical depression occurs more frequently in older than younger people.
8. Older adults are at risk for HIV/AIDS.
9. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are significantly greater problems in the adult population over age 65 than that under age 65.
10. Older adults have more trouble sleeping than younger adults do. 11. Older adults have the highest suicide rate of any age group. 12. High blood pressure increases with age. 13. Older people perspire less, so they are more likely to suffer from hyperthermia. 14. All women develop osteoporosis as they age.
15. A person’s height tends to decline in old age.
16. Physical strength declines in old age.
17. Most old people lose interest in and capacity for sexual relations.
18. Bladder capacity decreases with age, which leads to frequent urination.
19. Kidney function is not affected by age.
20. Increased problems with constipation represent a normal change as people get older.
21. All five senses tend to decline with age.
22. As people live longer, they face fewer acute conditions and more chronic health conditions.
23. Retirement is often detrimental to health–i.e., people frequently seem to become ill or die soon after retirement.
24. Older adults are less anxious about death than are younger and middle-aged adults.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/ 2
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T F
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25. People 65 years of age and older currently make up about 20% of the U.S. population. 26. Most older people are living in nursing homes. 27. The modern family no longer takes care of its elderly. 28. The life expectancy of men at age 65 is about the same as that of women.
29. Remaining life expectancy of blacks at age 85 is about the same as whites.
30. Social Security benefits automatically increase with inflation.
31. Living below or near the poverty level is no longer a significant problem for most older Americans.
32. Most older drivers are quite capable of safely operating a motor vehicle. 33. Older workers cannot work as effectively as younger workers. 34. Most old people are set in their ways and unable to change. 35. The majority of old people are bored.
36. In general, most old people are pretty much alike.
37. Older adults (65+) have higher rates of criminal victimization than adults under 65 do.
38. Older people tend to become more spiritual as they grow older.
39. Older adults (65+) are more fearful of crime than are persons under 65.
40. Older people do not adapt as well as younger age groups when they relocate to a new environment.
41. Participation in volunteering through organizations (e.g., churches and clubs) tends to decline among older adults.
42. Older people are much happier if they are allowed to disengage from society.
43. Geriatrics is a specialty in American medicine.
44. All medical schools now require students to take courses in geriatrics and gerontology.
45. Abuse of older adults is not a significant problem in the U.S. 46. Grandparents today take less responsibility for rearing grandchildren than ever before. 47. Older persons take longer to recover from physical and psychological stress. 48. Most older adults consider their health to be good or excellent. 49. Older females exhibit better health care practices than older males. 50. Research has shown that old age truly begins at 65.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/ 3
Answers to Facts on Aging Quiz
The majority of old people (past 65 years) have Alzheimer’s disease. False. According to the 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report published by the Alzheimer’s Association, one in nine people 65 and older (11%) have Alzheimer’s disease. About one-third of people age 85 and older (32%) have Alzheimer’s disease. Of those with Alzheimer’s disease, the vast majority (82%) are age 75 or older.
As people grow older, their intelligence declines significantly. False. Although there are some circumstances where the statement may hold true, current research evidence suggests that intellectual performance in healthy individuals holds up well into old age. The average magnitude of intellectual decline is typically small in the 60s and 70s and is probably of little significance for competent behavior. There is more average decline for most abilities observed once the 80s are reached, although even in this age range there are substantial individual differences. Little or no decline appears to be associated with being free of cardiovascular disease, little decline in perceptual speed, at least average socioeconomic status, a stimulating and engaged lifestyle, and having flexible attitudes and behaviors at mid-life. The good news is that research data now indicate that this is a life stage programmed for plasticity and the development of unique capacities and that intellectual decline can be modified by life-style interventions, such as physical activity, a healthy diet, mental stimulation, and social interaction.
It is very difficult for older adults to learn new things. False. Although learning performance tends on average to decline with age, all age groups can learn. Research studies have shown that learning performances can be improved with instructions and practice, extra time to learn information or skills, and relevance of the learning task to interests and expertise. It is well established that those who regularly practice their learning skills maintain their learning efficiency over their life span.
Personality changes with age. False. Personality remains consistent in men and women throughout life. Personality impacts roles and life satisfaction. Particular traits in youth and middle age will not only persist but may be more pronounced in later life.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/ 4
Memory loss is a normal part of aging. True. As one ages there is modest memory loss, primarily short-term memory (recent events). Older adults are more likely to retain past or new information that is based on knowledge acquired or builds upon their life course or events. Retrieval of information may slow with age. The causes of these changes are unknown, but may include stress, loss, physical disease, medication effects, depression, and age-related brain changes. Lack of attention, fatigue, hearing loss, and misunderstanding are among factors impacting memory loss in persons of all ages. Strategies such as activity and exercise, association, visualization, environmental cueing, organization by category and connection to a place may help to prompt memory.
As adults grow older, reaction time increases.
True. Reaction time is the interval that elapses between the onset of a stimulus and the completion of a motor response, such as hitting the brake pedal of a car when the traffic light turns yellow or red. When processing ordinary stimuli, adults do show large increases in response time with increasing age.
Clinical depression occurs more frequently in older than younger people. False. There is no evidence that depression occurs more often in older adults than younger groups, and it should not be considered a normal part of aging. However, it is the most common mental health problem of older adults. Depression may vary from feeling “blue” from grief over a loss to a diagnosis of clinical depression by the DSM-5 criteria. Accurate diagnosis and treatment options are often hindered by the resistance to mental health intervention and by situational depression in older adults as they react to isolation, role change, illness, and medication effects.
Older adults are at risk for HIV/AIDS. True. Americans aged 50 and older have many of the same HIV risk factors as younger Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, persons aged 55 and older accounted for 26% of the estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV infection in the U.S. in 2011, and 5% of new HIV infections were among Americans aged 55 and older in 2010.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are significantly greater problems in the adult population over age 65 than that under age 65. False. There doesn’t appear to be substantial support for this idea. However, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted in 2010, nearly 40% of adults age 65 and older drink alcohol. According to the survey, most of them don’t have a drinking problem, but some of them drink too much. Men are more likely than women to have problems with alcohol. Research does support that older people might become more sensitive to alcohol as they age. As we grow older, our metabolism slows down so an older
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/ 5
person will break down alcohol more slowly than a young person and alcohol will stay in an older person’s body longer. Additionally, as we age, the amount of water in the blood decreases so older adults will have a higher percentage of alcohol in their blood than younger people after drinking the same amount of alcohol. Furthermore, aging lowers the body’s tolerance for alcohol which means that older adults might experience the effects of alcohol, such as lack of coordination and slurred speech, more readily than when they were younger. As older people are dealing with more chronic health conditions, oftentimes they are taking more medications. Drinking alcohol can cause certain medicines to not work properly and other medicines to become more dangerous or even deadly. Due to these issues, an older person is more susceptible to develop problems with alcohol even though his or her drinking habits have not changed.
10. Older adults have more trouble sleeping than younger adults do.
True. Older adults often experience sleep changes such as taking longer to fall asleep, frequent awakenings, daytime napping, circadian rhythm changes, lighter sleep (less time in deep sleep and REM sleep), more abnormal breathing events, and increased frequency of leg movements. The overall quality of sleep may decline with age even though more time may be spent in bed. Among the factors that may contribute to sleep problems in older adults are comorbidities, CNS disorders, GI disorders, or urinary disorders; pain; depression; polypharmacy; lack of exercise; life stressors; alcohol; smoking; environmental noises and institutional routines; and poor sleep hygiene.
11. Older adults have the highest suicide rate of any age group
False. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported that in 2013 the highest suicide rate was among persons 45-64 years old (19.1/100,000). The second highest rate (18.6) occurred in those 85 years and older. The 65-84 age group had roughly the same rate as 25-44 year olds with the third highest rate. Adolescents and young adults aged 15- 24 had a rate of 10.9. This is a change from the past when older adults (65+) consistently had the highest rates. Males account for the majority of suicides in all age groups.
12. High blood pressure increases with age.
True and False. There is evidence that blood pressure does increase with age. However, there is controversy over the criteria for establishing high blood pressure with increasing age.
The systolic (higher number) measure is the pressure when the heart is stressed as it
contracts and is recorded when the pressure cuff is first released after being tightened. The
diastolic (lower number) is the blood pressure when the heart is at rest and is derived when
the blood pressure returns to normal after the first rush of blood upon release of the cuff.
In the general population, age 60 and older, the Eighth Report of the Joint National
Commission on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure recommends
drug therapy if the systolic pressure is 90mm Hg or higher, and aims for a systolic goal of
less than 150 mm Hg (150/90). The report recommends relaxing the blood pressure goals in
elderly patients in order to reduce concerns related to over-treating hypertension and
causing adverse events in this population that is specifically at a high risk for falls. However,
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/ 6
there continues to be discussion related to a cutoff of 60 years versus 80 years of age for
these revised recommendations.
Older people perspire less, so they are more likely to suffer from hyperthermia. True. Perspiration and quenching of thirst help to combat overheating. Older adults perspire less, are less aware of thirst and less able to feel or adapt to extremes in temperature than younger persons. Less sensitive skin sensors and less insulation of fatty deposits under the skin and the less efficient functioning of the hypothalamus (the temperature regulating mechanism in the brain) occur in older adults. Prolonged time for older adults to return to core temperature after exposure to extreme heat or cold begins at age 70 years and increases thereafter. Education and taking precautions may prevent most deaths related to temperature extremes. Increased fluid intake, gradual accommodation to climate change, rest, minimizing exertion during heat, use of fans and/or air conditioning, wearing hats and loose clothing and avoidance of alcohol are some strategies for hyperthermia.
All women develop osteoporosis as they age. False. Osteoporosis (“porous bone”) is associated with increasing age and is more common in women (especially White and Asian women) than men, but it is not an inevitable outcome. Gradual loss of bony tissue causes brittle bones to fracture more easily in both men and women as they age. Deficiency in bone mineral density occurs in 50% of women over 50 years to 57% of women 70 years or older, but decreases to 45% for those over 80 years. Women rarely develop osteoporosis until age 70 years. Bone mineral density (BMD) is typically measured through a DXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) test. Results are compared to the peak bone mineral density of a healthy 30-year old adult. Low bone mass that is not low enough to be diagnosed as osteoporosis is referred to as osteopenia. Prevention of osteoporosis begins with adequate calcium intake in one’s teens and thereafter with increased attention to getting adequate amounts after menopause. Adequate vitamin D (from sunlight, foods, or supplements) is essential to absorbing calcium. Weight bearing exercise, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), decreased alcohol, protein, salt and caffeine consumption, and smoking cessation can also minimize bone loss. HRT may offer some protection against heart disease, cognitive impairment and bone loss, but also may present risks for cervical cancer.
A person’s height tends to decline in old age.
True. Due to osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and a lifetime of wear and tear, upper vertebrae are weakened; joint spaces and buffering tissues wear, and muscles atrophy. These changes foster decreased padding between vertebral discs, which accounts for a loss of height. Starting at about age 40, people typically lose about .4 inch each decade and height loss may be even more rapid after age 70. The tendency to become shorter occurs among all races and in both sexes. You can help minimize loss of height by following a healthy diet, staying physically active, and preventing and treating bone loss (osteoporosis). Getting
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/ 7
enough calcium and vitamin D is also important to keeping bones strong. E
strengthen back muscles and the body’s core may be particularly beneficial. Some research
Physical strength declines in old age. True. Muscle mass declines, cartilage erodes, membranes fibrose (harden), and fluid thickens. These contribute to stiffness, gait problems, lessened mobility, and limited range of motion.
Most old people lose interest in and capacity for sexual relations.
False. Sexuality, which Waite et al. (2009) define as “the dynamic outcome of physical capacity, motivation, attitudes, opportunity for partnership, and sexual conduct,” exists Sexuality is related to overall health with those whose health is rated as excellent or good being nearly twice as likely to be sexually active as those whose health is rated as poorer. ormal aging physical changes in both men and women sometimes affect the ability of an older adult to have and enjoy sex.
A woman’s vagina may shorten and narrow and her vaginal walls become thinner and stiffer which leads to less vaginal lubrication and effects on sexual function and/or pleasure. As men age, impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction – ED) becomes more common. ED may cause a man to take longer to have an erection and it may not be as firm or large as it used to be. Additionally, the loss of erection after orgasm may happen more quickly or it may take longer before an erection is possible. Medications taken for chronic conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, incontinence, stroke and depression might cause sexual problems leading to ED in men and vaginal dryness and difficulty with arousal or orgasm in women. Patient education and counseling and ability to clinically identify sexual problems can help resolve some of these issues.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/ 8
xercises that
has suggested that yoga may be helpful in preventing spine curvature that contributes to
height loss.
Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and function, starts to
set in around age 45, when muscle mass begins to decline at a rate of about 1 percent a
year. This gradual loss has been tied to protein deficiency, lack of exercise, and increased
frailty among the elderly. Research shows that weight bearing exercise, aerobics, and
weight resistance can restore muscle strength, increase stamina, stabilize balance and
minimize falls.
throughout life in one form or another in everyone. It includes the physical act of
intercourse as well as many other types of intimacy such as touch, hugging, and holding.
The particular form it takes varies with age and gender. In general, men are more likely than
women to have a partner, more likely to be sexually active with that partner, and tend to
have more positive and permissive attitudes toward sex. While the National Social Life,
Health, and Aging Project showed that there was a significant decline in the percentage of
men and women who reported having any sex in the preceding year (comparing 57-64, 65-
74, and 75-84 years), some of this decline relates to loss of partners. Those who remained
sexually active with a partner maintained remarkably constant rates of sexual activity
through 65-74 and fell only modestly at the oldest ages. N
Bladder capacity decreases with age, which leads to frequent urination. True. Symptoms in the lower urinary tract are more prevalent among the older adults, and clinical studies have demonstrated advancing age to be associated with a reduced bladder capacity. The elastic tissue becomes tough and the bladder becomes less stretchy resulting in the bladder not holding as much urine as before. Blockage of the urethra can occur which in women is due to weakened muscles that cause the bladder or vagina to fall out of position (prolapsed). In men, the urethra can become blocked by an enlarged prostate. Aging increases the risk of kidney and bladder problems and can lead to bladder control issues such as urinary incontinence or leakage, or urinary retention which means you are not able to completely empty your bladder. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are also common as we age as well as an increased chance for chronic kidney disease.
Kidney function is not affected by age. False. The overall amount of kidney tissue decreases as well as the number of filtering units (nephrons). Nephrons filter waste material from the blood. Blood vessels supplying the kidneys can become hardened which causes the kidneys to filter blood more slowly. With aging, there is a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF). The GFR is maintained at approximately 140 ml/min/1.73 m until the fourth decade. GFR declines by about 8 ml/min/1.73 per decade thereafter. Similar changes in RBF occur and it is well maintained at about 600 ml/min until approximately the fourth decade, and then declines by about 10 percent per decade. Additionally, as a person ages, the kidneys undergo a multitude of structural and functional changes. Structural changes include decreased renal mass, renal cortex and the number of glomeruli, and increased glomerular sclerosis. Aging also is associated with tubule-interstitial fibrosis, scarring, infarction and loss of tubular mass. These structural changes are responsible for the reduced renal size of the aging kidney. Furthermore, the age related changes in the kidneys may be further complicated by concurrent comorbidities common in old age, such as hypertension, diabetes, congestive cardiac failure, atherosclerosis, urinary tract outflow obstruction, recurrent urinary tract infections and drug-induced nephrotoxicity. It is not clear as to what extent a decline in GFR with age is physiological and what level of GFR should be considered abnormal. In summary, renal function declines physiologically with advancing age and pathologically as a result of associated diabetes and hypertension.
Increased problems with constipation represent a normal change as people get older. False. Although some normal changes with aging in the gastrointestinal tract (decreased GI muscle strength and motility, lax sphincters, lowered juices) may contribute to problems with constipation, studies show little difference in colon activity of healthy older and younger people. When constipation exists, it is usually the result of factors such as inadequate exercise, a diet low in fiber, inadequate fluid intake, and certain medications. Certain health conditions can contribute to constipation—such as depression, hypothyroidism, neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, or even bowel cancer. It is important to find the source of the constipation and treat it.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/ 9
All five senses tend to decline with age. True. While there is considerable individual variation, on average sensory processes (vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch) don’t work as well as people get older. Another way to say it is that the threshold at which we take in stimuli increases with age. The eye lens, for example, is less able to change shape so as to adjust to close and far objects, and the size of the pupil narrows so as to let in less light. Hearing loss begins at age 20, and for many involves growing inability to hear higher frequencies as sensory receptors in the ear and nerve cells in the auditory pathway to the brain are lost. Taste buds become less sensitive with aging, and after age 80 more than 75 percent of older adults show major impairment in their sense of smell. Many of these normal changes can be compensated for through increasingly sophisticated assistive devices (hearing aids, glasses, etc.) and through modifications of the older person’s environment.
As people live longer, they face fewer acute conditions and more chronic health conditions. True. The incidence of acute or temporary conditions, such as infections or the common cold, decreases with age, although those that do occur can be more debilitating and require more care. Older people are much more likely than the young to suffer from chronic conditions. These are long-term (more than three months), often permanent, and leave a residual disability that may require long- term management or care rather than cure.
Retirement is often detrimental to health–i.e., people frequently seem to become ill or die soon after retirement. False. While studies show both negative and positive correlations between retirement and health outcomes (including mortality), there is no clear evidence that retirement is actually a causal factor in health declines or mortality. The reverse is true for some as shown in the longitudinal Health and Retirement Study (HRS) where health was given as a reason for retirement among younger retirees but seldom for older retirees. With the exception of some who retire due to involuntary job loss, for most the retirement event does not appear to influence declines in either physical or mental health. Health decline is related to age or previous health problems, not retirement per se. Retirement may actually improve functional health by reducing stress on the individual. Studies based on HRS data have shown increased happiness and life satisfaction and reduced loneliness among retirees.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/ 10
Facts on Aging Quiz
Revised by Linda Breytspraak
1
, Ph.D., and Lynn Badura, B.A., Grad. Gerontology Certificate
Gerontology Program
University of Missouri
-‐
Kansas City
2015
There have been a number of versions of quizzes on aging
,
patterned after Erdman Palmore’s
landmark “Facts on Aging Quiz” that appeared in two issues of
The Gerontologist
(1977; 1981).
The initial version developed at UMKC was authored by
Linda Breytspraak, Ph.D.
,
Burton
Halpert, Ph.D.
, and
Liz Kendall, M.A.
T
he current revision of that initial version was authored by
Linday Breytspraak, PhD, and Lynn Badura, B.A., Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.
About half the items in
the current
quiz are similar or identical to
Palmore’s
. The other half
represent issu
es that have received more attention since his quiz was developed or
were
judged by the authors to be o
f significant interest now. This
2015 revision has all the same
questions as the original version with a few small wording changes
in several items
. Th
e
authors have drawn on current research and gerontological and geriatric texts to answer the
questions.
We provide a
reference list
,
divided into
(
1)
general sources
and
(
2) sources
used to
document data or specific trends
discussed in answers to particu
lar questions
.
The authors of the 2015 version grant permission for anyone to use the Facts on Aging Quiz
for
educational
purposes
as long as credit is given using the following citation:
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977;
1981)). Retrieved from
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
.
1
Contact information for first author:
breytspraakl@umkc.edu
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
2
Facts on Aging Quiz
T
F
1.
The
majority of old people (past 65 years) have Alzheimer’s disease.
T
F
2.
As people grow older, their intelligence declines significantly.
T
F
3.
It is very difficult for older adults to learn new things.
T
F
4.
Personality changes with age.
T
F
5.
Memory loss is a normal part of aging.
T
F
6.
As adults grow older, reaction time increases.
T
F
7.
Clinical depression occurs more frequently in older than younger people.
T
F
8.
Older adults are at risk f
or HIV/AIDS.
T
F
9.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are significantly greater problems in the adult
population over age 65 than that under age 65.
T
F
10.
Older adults have more trouble sleeping than younger adults do.
T
F
11.
Older adults have the highest s
uicide rate of any age group.
T
F
12.
High blood pressure increases with age.
T
F
13.
Older people
perspire less, so they are more likely to suffer from hyperthermia.
T
F
14.
All women develop osteoporosis as they age.
T
F
15.
A person’s height tends to decline in old age.
T
F
16.
Physical strength declines in old age.
T
F
17.
Most old people lose interest in and capacity for sexual relations.
T
F
18.
Bladder capacity decreases
with age, which leads to frequent urination.
T
F
19.
Kidney function is not affected by age.
T
F
20.
Increased problems with c
onstipation
represent a normal change as
people get older.
T
F
21.
All five senses tend to decline with age.
T
F
22.
As people live longer, they face fewer acute conditions and more chronic health
conditions.
T
F
23.
Retirement is often detrimental to
health
—
i.e., people frequently seem to become ill or
die soon after retirement.
T
F
24.
Older adults are less anxious about death than are younger and middle
–
aged adults.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
3
T
F
25.
People 65 years of age and older
currently
make up about 20
%
of the U.S. population.
T
F
26.
Most older
people are living in nursing homes.
T
F
27.
The modern family no longer takes care of its elderly.
T
F
28.
The life expectancy of men at age 65 is about the same as that of women.
T
F
29.
Remaining life expectancy of blacks at age 85 is about the same as whites.
T
F
30.
Social Security benefits automatically increase with inflation.
T
F
31.
Living below or near the poverty level is no longer a significant problem for most
older Americans.
T
F
32.
Most older drivers are quite capable of safely operating a motor vehicle
.
T
F
33.
Older workers cannot work as effectively as younger workers.
T
F
34.
Most old people are set
in their ways and unable to change.
T
F
35.
The majority of old people are bored.
T
F
36.
In general,
most old people are pretty much alike.
T
F
37.
Older adults (65+) have higher rates of criminal vi
ctimization than adults under 65
do.
T
F
38.
Older peop
le tend to become more spiritual
as they grow older.
T
F
39.
Older adults (65+) are more
fearful of crime than are persons under 65.
T
F
40.
Older people do not adapt as well as younger age groups when they relocate to a new
environment.
T
F
41.
Participation in volunt
eering through
organizations (
e.g.,
churches and clubs) tends to
decline among older adults.
T
F
42.
Older people are much happier if they are allowed to disengage from society.
T
F
43.
Geriatrics is a specialty in American medicine.
T
F
44.
All medical schools now require students to take courses in geriatrics and
gerontology.
T
F
45.
Abuse o
f older adults is not a significant problem in the U.S.
T
F
46.
Grandparents today take less responsibility for rearing grandchildren than ever before.
T
F
47.
Older persons take longer to recover from physical and psychological stress.
T
F
48.
Most older adults
consider their health to be good
or excellent
.
T
F
49.
Older females exhibit better health care practices than older males.
T
F
50.
Research has shown that old age truly begins at 65.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
4
Answers to
Facts on Aging Quiz
1.
The majority of old people (past 65 years) have Alzheimer’s disease
.
False.
According to the 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report published by the
Alzheimer’s Association, one in nine people 65 and older (11%) have Alzheimer’s disease.
About one
-‐
third of people age 85 and older (32%) have Alzheimer’s disease. Of tho
se with
Alzheimer’s disease, the vast majority (82%) are age 75 or older.
2.
As people grow older, their intelligence declines significantly.
False.
Although there are some circumstances where the statement may hold true, current
research evidence suggests t
hat intellectual performance in healthy individuals holds up
well into old age. The average magnitude of intellectual decline is typically small in the 60s
and 70s and is probably of little significance for competent behavior. There is more average
declin
e for most abilities observed once the 80s are reached, although even in this age
range there are substantial individual differences. Little or no decline appears to be
associated with being free of cardiovascular disease, little decline in perceptual spee
d, at
least average socioeconomic status, a stimulating and engaged lifestyle, and having flexible
attitudes and behaviors at mid
-‐
life. The good news is that research data now indicate that
this is a life stage programmed for plasticity and the development
of unique capacities and
that intellectual decline can be modified by life
-‐
style interventions, such as physical activity,
a healthy diet, mental stimulation, and social interaction.
3.
It is very difficult for older adults to learn new things.
False.
Alth
ough learning performance tends on average to decline with age, all age groups
can learn. Research studies have shown that learning performances can be improved with
instructions and practice, extra time to learn information or skills, and relevance of the
learning task to interests and expertise. It is well established that those who regularly
practice their learning skills maintain their learning efficiency over their life span.
4.
Personality changes with age.
False.
Personality remains consistent in men
and women throughout life. Personality
impacts roles and life satisfaction. Particular traits in youth and middle age will not only
persist but may be more pronounced in later life.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
5
5.
Memory loss is a normal part of aging.
True.
As one ages there is modest memory loss, primarily short
-‐
term memory (recent
events). Older adults are more likely to retain past or new information that is based on
knowledge acquired or builds upon their life course or events. Retrieval of information m
ay
slow with age. The causes of these changes are unknown, but may include stress, loss,
physical disease, medication effects, depression, and age
-‐
related brain changes. Lack of
attention, fatigue, hearing loss, and misunderstanding are among factors impac
ting
memory loss in persons of all ages. Strategies such as activity and exercise, association,
visualization, environmental cueing, organization by category and connection to a place
may help to prompt memory.
6.
As adults grow older, reaction time increas
es.
True.
Reaction time is the interval that elapses between the onset of a stimulus and the
completion of a motor response, such as hitting the brake pedal of a car when the traffic
light turns yellow or red. When processing ordinary stimuli, adults do
show large increases
in response time with increasing age.
7.
Clinical depression occurs more frequently in older than younger people.
False.
There is no evidence that depression occurs more often in older adults than younger
groups, and it should not be co
nsidered a normal part of aging. However, it is the most
common mental health problem of older adults. Depression may vary from feeling “blue”
from grief over a loss to a diagnosis of clinical depression by the DSM
-‐
5 criteria. Accurate
diagnosis and treatm
ent options are often hindered by the resistance to mental health
intervention and by situational depression in older adults as they react to isolation, role
change, illness, and medication effects.
8.
Older adults are at risk for HIV/AIDS.
True.
Americans
aged 50 and older have many of the same HIV risk factors as younger
Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, persons aged 55
and older accounted for 26% of the estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV infection in
the U.
S. in 2011, and 5% of new HIV infections were among Americans aged 55 and older in
2010.
9.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are significantly greater problems in the adult population
over age 65 than that under age 65.
False.
There doesn’t appear to be substant
ial support for this idea. However, according to
t
he National Survey
on Drug Use and Health conducted in 2010, nearly 40% of adults age 65
and older drink alcohol.
According to the survey, most of them don’t have a drinking
problem, but some of them drink
too much. Men are more likely than women to have
problems with alcohol. Research does support that older people might become more
sensitive to alcohol as they age. As we grow older, our metabolism slows down so an older
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
11
24.
Older adults are less anxious about death than are younge
r and middle
-‐
aged adults.
True.
Although death in industrialized society has come to be associated primarily with old
age, studies generally indicate that death anxiety in adults decreases as age increases.
Among the factors that may contribute to lower a
nxiety are a sense that goals have been
fulfilled, living longer than expected, coming to terms with finitude and dealing with the
deaths of friends. The general finding that older adults are less fearful of death than middle
-‐
aged counterparts should not o
bscure the fact that some subgroups may have considerable
preoccupation and concern about death and dying. Some fear the process of dying much
more than death itself.
25.
People 65 years of age and older currently make up about 20% of the U.S. population.
Fa
lse.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people age 65 and older were projected to
represent 14.5 percent of the total population in 2015, an increase from 12.4 percent in
2000. However, as the “baby boom” generation (born 1946
-‐
1964) is now beginning to
surpass age 65, the proportion of older adults will grow dramatically. It is estimated that by
2030, adults over 65 will compose nearly 20 percent of the population.
26.
Most older people are living in nursing homes.
False.
A relatively small percentage o
f the 65+ population, 3.4% in 2013 (1.3 million) lived
in institutional settings such as nursing homes. However, the percentage increases
dramatically with age, ranging (in 2013) from 1% for persons 65
-‐
74 years to 3% for persons
75
-‐
84 years and 10% for p
ersons 85+.
27.
The modern family no longer takes care of its elderly.
False.
Evidence from several studies and national surveys indicates that families are the
major care providers for impaired older adults. Families provide 70 to 80 percent of the in
-‐
home
care for older relatives with chronic impairments. Family members have cared for the
typical older adult who reaches a long
-‐
term care setting for a significant amount of time
first. Research has shown that adult children are the primary caregivers for olde
r widowed
women and older unmarried men, and they are the secondary caregivers in situations
where the spouse of an older person is still alive. Spouses often give extensive caregiving
for many years. Parent care has become a predictable and nearly univers
al experience
across the life course, although most people are not adequately prepared for it.
28.
The life expectancy of men at age 65 is about the same as that of women.
False.
In 2011 remaining life expectancy at age 65 was about 2½ years less for men t
han
women (20.22 years for women and 17.66 for men). At age 75 women’s remaining life
expectancy exceeds men by less than 2 years (12.76 for women and 10.94 for men). At age
85 remaining life expectancy difference is only about one year (6.87 for women a
nd 5.81 for
men). Overall life expectancy at birth is almost 5 years greater for women (80.95) than men
(76.18).
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
12
29.
Remaining life expectancy of blacks at age 85 is about the same as whites.
True.
Although remaining life expectancy of blacks at age 65 is
about 1.5 years less than
that of whites at age 65, by the time they reach 85 remaining life expectancy is slightly
higher for blacks (6.8 vs. 6.5 years). The slight excess for blacks holds for both males and
females. One possible explanation for this co
nvergence effect is that blacks who make it to
the oldest ages do so in spite of many disadvantages and are “survivors” who have
developed physiological and social psychological survival advantages.
30.
Social Security benefits automatically increase with
inflation.
True.
Beginning in 1975 Social Security benefits are periodically automatically adjusted to
inflation. Current law ties this increase to the consumer price index (CPI) or the rise in the
general wage level, whichever is lower. For example, mon
thly Social Security and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 64 million Americans increased 1.7%
in 2015.
31.
Living below or near the poverty level is no longer a significant problem for most older
Americans.
False.
While the proportion of
older people (65+) living below the federal poverty level
declined significantly between 1959 and 2013 from 35% to 9.5%, this index rather
dramatically underestimates need. The poverty level is based on an estimate of the cost of
items in the Department o
f Agriculture’s least costly nutritionally adequate food plan
(assumed to be even less for a person over 65 than under 65) and multiplied by three
(suggesting that food costs represent one third of a budget). This is probably not a fair
representation of l
iving costs in many areas of the country, particularly urban areas.
Therefore, gerontologists and economists also look at the proportion near poverty level
(anywhere from 125% to 200% of poverty level). Using 125% of the poverty level as a cut
-‐
off, another
5.6% of older adults could be considered in poverty. Those included in this
group are disproportionately women, Hispanics, Blacks, those not married, and those living
alone.
32.
Most older drivers are quite capable of safely operating a motor vehicle.
True
.
Some older adults do have visual, motor, or cognitive impairments that make them
dangerous drivers. Many drive more slowly and cautiously or avoid driving in conditions
they consider threatening in order to compensate for these changes. Until approximat
ely
age 85 older adults have fewer driver fatalities per million drivers than men 20 years old,
but they do have more accidents per miles driven. Unsafe speed and alcohol use are leading
factors in accidents for young drivers, while right
-‐
of
-‐
way violations
are the leading cause of
accidents involving older drivers
-‐-‐
which implies a breakdown in such cognitive
-‐
perceptual
components as estimating the speed of oncoming cars or reacting too slowly to unexpected
events. Older drivers’ skills can be improved consi
derably by specific driver training such as
through the AARP “55 ALIVE/Mature Driving” program.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
13
33.
Older workers cannot work as effectively as younger workers.
False.
Negative perceptions of older workers persist because of health issues, diminished
energy, discomfort with technology, closeness to retirement, and reaction to change in the
work place
-‐-‐
all associated with older adults. To the contrary, research identif
ied
characteristics of low turnover, less voluntary absenteeism and fewer injuries in older
workers. Recent high ratings of older workers from employers cite loyalty, dependability,
emotional stability, congeniality with co
-‐
workers, and consistent and accu
rate work
outcomes.
AARP gave an award in 2013 (cosponsored by the Society for Human Resource
Management) to the Best Employers for Workers Over 50. Some of the nationally
recognized organizations that made the list were: National Institutes of Health (NI
H),
Scripps Health, Atlantic Health System, Michelin North America, and the Department of
Veteran Affairs
–
Veteran Health Administration Division.
34.
Most old people are set in their ways and unable to change.
False.
The majority of older people are not “set
in their ways and unable to change.” There
is some evidence that older people tend to become more stable in their attitudes, but it is
clear that older people do change. To survive, they must adapt to many events of later life
such as retirement, children
leaving home, widowhood, moving to new homes, and serious
illness. Their political and social attitudes also tend to shift with those of the rest of society,
although at a somewhat slower rate than for younger people.
35.
The majority of old people are bored
.
False.
Older persons are involved in many and diverse activities. After retirement many
participate as volunteers in churches, schools or other nonprofit organizations or engage in
hobbies and other leisure pursuits. They report themselves to be “very
busy.” As they age
most persons are likely to continue the level of activity to which they were accustomed in
middle age, albeit with a different set of activities that help structure their time and
provided feelings of accomplishment that were earlier pro
vided through work and/or family
responsibilities.
36.
In general, most old people are pretty much alike.
False.
Older adults are at least as diverse as any other age group in the population, and on
many dimensions they may actually be more diverse due to th
eir varied health, social role,
and coping experiences throughout the life course. As the older population becomes more
and more ethnically diverse, differences could be even greater. It is very misleading to talk
about older adults as “the elderly,” for
this term may obscure the great heterogeneity of
this age group.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
14
37.
Older adults (65+) have higher rates of criminal victimization than adults under 62 do.
False.
Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics suggest that this is not true. Statistics
show
that people over the age of 65 are less likely to be victims of violent crimes than
younger people and this has been true for many years. Annual data from national Crime
Victimization Surveys indicate that persons aged 65 and older have the lowest victimiz
ation
rates of any age group in all categories, including rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and
personal larceny without contact.
Only for the category of personal larceny with contact
(e.g., purse/wallet snatching) is the victimization rate equal to you
nger age groups.
Nevertheless, the health and financial consequences may be greater for the older victim. It
is important to note that
older people are more likely to report crimes to the police than
younger people so statistics are viewed as being more a
ccurate and representative of what
is actually occurring.
38.
Older people tend to become more spiritual as they grow older.
True.
Spirituality has to be distinguished from religion and participation in religion as a
social institution (the focus of this qu
estion in the 1
st
edition of this quiz). Spirituality,
according to Robert Atchley
(2008), refers to “an inner, subjective region of life that
revolves around individual experiences of being, transcending the personal self, and
connecting with the sacred.” It may occur in or outside of religious contexts, although
cohorts born before Wo
rld War II seem more likely to see the two linked than do later
cohorts. Continuing to grow spiritually seems to be an especially important frontier as
people move into the middle and later years. Tornstam’s (2005) gerotranscendence theory
asserts that w
e shift from a materialistic, role
-‐
oriented life philosophy to a transcendent,
spiritual perspective
39.
Older adults (65+) are more fearful of crime than are persons under 65.
False.
Although several surveys showed that fear of crime in general exists in old
er adults
-‐-‐
despite their lower rates of victimization (the “victimization/fear paradox”), when asked
about fear of specific types of crimes (e.g., murder, robbery) older people were
not
more
fearful than those in younger age groups. Studies that have show
n an increase in fear of
crime in later life possibly have used measures of questionable validity. To the extent that
fear does exist, it may have negative consequences for quality of life
—
leading to extreme
measures to bar one’s windows and secure doors
and general hesitance to go out in the
community.
40.
Older people do not adapt as well as younger age groups when they relocate to a new
environment.
False.
While some older people may experience a period of prolonged adjustment, there is
no evidence that th
ere is special harmfulness in elderly relocation. Studies of community
residents and of institutional movers have found an approximately normal distribution of
outcomes
-‐-‐
some positive, some negative, mostly neutral or mixed and small in degree. For
Facts on Aging Quiz
Revised by Linda Breytspraak
1
, Ph.D., and Lynn Badura, B.A., Grad. Gerontology Certificate
Gerontology Program
University of Missouri
-‐
Kansas City
2015
There have been a number of versions of quizzes on aging
,
patterned after Erdman Palmore’s
landmark “Facts on Aging Quiz” that appeared in two issues of
The Gerontologist
(1977; 1981).
The initial version developed at UMKC was authored by
Linda Breytspraak, Ph.D.
,
Burton
Halpert, Ph.D.
, and
Liz Kendall, M.A.
T
he current revision of that initial version was authored by
Linday Breytspraak, PhD, and Lynn Badura, B.A., Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.
About half the items in
the current
quiz are similar or identical to
Palmore’s
. The other half
represent issu
es that have received more attention since his quiz was developed or
were
judged by the authors to be o
f significant interest now. This
2015 revision has all the same
questions as the original version with a few small wording changes
in several items
. Th
e
authors have drawn on current research and gerontological and geriatric texts to answer the
questions.
We provide a
reference list
,
divided into
(
1)
general sources
and
(
2) sources
used to
document data or specific trends
discussed in answers to particu
lar questions
.
The authors of the 2015 version grant permission for anyone to use the Facts on Aging Quiz
for
educational
purposes
as long as credit is given using the following citation:
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977;
1981)). Retrieved from
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
.
1
Contact information for first author:
breytspraakl@umkc.edu
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
2
Facts on Aging Quiz
T
F
1.
The
majority of old people (past 65 years) have Alzheimer’s disease.
T
F
2.
As people grow older, their intelligence declines significantly.
T
F
3.
It is very difficult for older adults to learn new things.
T
F
4.
Personality changes with age.
T
F
5.
Memory loss is a normal part of aging.
T
F
6.
As adults grow older, reaction time increases.
T
F
7.
Clinical depression occurs more frequently in older than younger people.
T
F
8.
Older adults are at risk f
or HIV/AIDS.
T
F
9.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are significantly greater problems in the adult
population over age 65 than that under age 65.
T
F
10.
Older adults have more trouble sleeping than younger adults do.
T
F
11.
Older adults have the highest s
uicide rate of any age group.
T
F
12.
High blood pressure increases with age.
T
F
13.
Older people
perspire less, so they are more likely to suffer from hyperthermia.
T
F
14.
All women develop osteoporosis as they age.
T
F
15.
A person’s height tends to decline in old age.
T
F
16.
Physical strength declines in old age.
T
F
17.
Most old people lose interest in and capacity for sexual relations.
T
F
18.
Bladder capacity decreases
with age, which leads to frequent urination.
T
F
19.
Kidney function is not affected by age.
T
F
20.
Increased problems with c
onstipation
represent a normal change as
people get older.
T
F
21.
All five senses tend to decline with age.
T
F
22.
As people live longer, they face fewer acute conditions and more chronic health
conditions.
T
F
23.
Retirement is often detrimental to
health
—
i.e., people frequently seem to become ill or
die soon after retirement.
T
F
24.
Older adults are less anxious about death than are younger and middle
–
aged adults.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
3
T
F
25.
People 65 years of age and older
currently
make up about 20
%
of the U.S. population.
T
F
26.
Most older
people are living in nursing homes.
T
F
27.
The modern family no longer takes care of its elderly.
T
F
28.
The life expectancy of men at age 65 is about the same as that of women.
T
F
29.
Remaining life expectancy of blacks at age 85 is about the same as whites.
T
F
30.
Social Security benefits automatically increase with inflation.
T
F
31.
Living below or near the poverty level is no longer a significant problem for most
older Americans.
T
F
32.
Most older drivers are quite capable of safely operating a motor vehicle
.
T
F
33.
Older workers cannot work as effectively as younger workers.
T
F
34.
Most old people are set
in their ways and unable to change.
T
F
35.
The majority of old people are bored.
T
F
36.
In general,
most old people are pretty much alike.
T
F
37.
Older adults (65+) have higher rates of criminal vi
ctimization than adults under 65
do.
T
F
38.
Older peop
le tend to become more spiritual
as they grow older.
T
F
39.
Older adults (65+) are more
fearful of crime than are persons under 65.
T
F
40.
Older people do not adapt as well as younger age groups when they relocate to a new
environment.
T
F
41.
Participation in volunt
eering through
organizations (
e.g.,
churches and clubs) tends to
decline among older adults.
T
F
42.
Older people are much happier if they are allowed to disengage from society.
T
F
43.
Geriatrics is a specialty in American medicine.
T
F
44.
All medical schools now require students to take courses in geriatrics and
gerontology.
T
F
45.
Abuse o
f older adults is not a significant problem in the U.S.
T
F
46.
Grandparents today take less responsibility for rearing grandchildren than ever before.
T
F
47.
Older persons take longer to recover from physical and psychological stress.
T
F
48.
Most older adults
consider their health to be good
or excellent
.
T
F
49.
Older females exhibit better health care practices than older males.
T
F
50.
Research has shown that old age truly begins at 65.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
4
Answers to
Facts on Aging Quiz
1.
The majority of old people (past 65 years) have Alzheimer’s disease
.
False.
According to the 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report published by the
Alzheimer’s Association, one in nine people 65 and older (11%) have Alzheimer’s disease.
About one
-‐
third of people age 85 and older (32%) have Alzheimer’s disease. Of tho
se with
Alzheimer’s disease, the vast majority (82%) are age 75 or older.
2.
As people grow older, their intelligence declines significantly.
False.
Although there are some circumstances where the statement may hold true, current
research evidence suggests t
hat intellectual performance in healthy individuals holds up
well into old age. The average magnitude of intellectual decline is typically small in the 60s
and 70s and is probably of little significance for competent behavior. There is more average
declin
e for most abilities observed once the 80s are reached, although even in this age
range there are substantial individual differences. Little or no decline appears to be
associated with being free of cardiovascular disease, little decline in perceptual spee
d, at
least average socioeconomic status, a stimulating and engaged lifestyle, and having flexible
attitudes and behaviors at mid
-‐
life. The good news is that research data now indicate that
this is a life stage programmed for plasticity and the development
of unique capacities and
that intellectual decline can be modified by life
-‐
style interventions, such as physical activity,
a healthy diet, mental stimulation, and social interaction.
3.
It is very difficult for older adults to learn new things.
False.
Alth
ough learning performance tends on average to decline with age, all age groups
can learn. Research studies have shown that learning performances can be improved with
instructions and practice, extra time to learn information or skills, and relevance of the
learning task to interests and expertise. It is well established that those who regularly
practice their learning skills maintain their learning efficiency over their life span.
4.
Personality changes with age.
False.
Personality remains consistent in men
and women throughout life. Personality
impacts roles and life satisfaction. Particular traits in youth and middle age will not only
persist but may be more pronounced in later life.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
5
5.
Memory loss is a normal part of aging.
True.
As one ages there is modest memory loss, primarily short
-‐
term memory (recent
events). Older adults are more likely to retain past or new information that is based on
knowledge acquired or builds upon their life course or events. Retrieval of information m
ay
slow with age. The causes of these changes are unknown, but may include stress, loss,
physical disease, medication effects, depression, and age
-‐
related brain changes. Lack of
attention, fatigue, hearing loss, and misunderstanding are among factors impac
ting
memory loss in persons of all ages. Strategies such as activity and exercise, association,
visualization, environmental cueing, organization by category and connection to a place
may help to prompt memory.
6.
As adults grow older, reaction time increas
es.
True.
Reaction time is the interval that elapses between the onset of a stimulus and the
completion of a motor response, such as hitting the brake pedal of a car when the traffic
light turns yellow or red. When processing ordinary stimuli, adults do
show large increases
in response time with increasing age.
7.
Clinical depression occurs more frequently in older than younger people.
False.
There is no evidence that depression occurs more often in older adults than younger
groups, and it should not be co
nsidered a normal part of aging. However, it is the most
common mental health problem of older adults. Depression may vary from feeling “blue”
from grief over a loss to a diagnosis of clinical depression by the DSM
-‐
5 criteria. Accurate
diagnosis and treatm
ent options are often hindered by the resistance to mental health
intervention and by situational depression in older adults as they react to isolation, role
change, illness, and medication effects.
8.
Older adults are at risk for HIV/AIDS.
True.
Americans
aged 50 and older have many of the same HIV risk factors as younger
Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, persons aged 55
and older accounted for 26% of the estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV infection in
the U.
S. in 2011, and 5% of new HIV infections were among Americans aged 55 and older in
2010.
9.
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are significantly greater problems in the adult population
over age 65 than that under age 65.
False.
There doesn’t appear to be substant
ial support for this idea. However, according to
t
he National Survey
on Drug Use and Health conducted in 2010, nearly 40% of adults age 65
and older drink alcohol.
According to the survey, most of them don’t have a drinking
problem, but some of them drink
too much. Men are more likely than women to have
problems with alcohol. Research does support that older people might become more
sensitive to alcohol as they age. As we grow older, our metabolism slows down so an older
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
11
24.
Older adults are less anxious about death than are younge
r and middle
-‐
aged adults.
True.
Although death in industrialized society has come to be associated primarily with old
age, studies generally indicate that death anxiety in adults decreases as age increases.
Among the factors that may contribute to lower a
nxiety are a sense that goals have been
fulfilled, living longer than expected, coming to terms with finitude and dealing with the
deaths of friends. The general finding that older adults are less fearful of death than middle
-‐
aged counterparts should not o
bscure the fact that some subgroups may have considerable
preoccupation and concern about death and dying. Some fear the process of dying much
more than death itself.
25.
People 65 years of age and older currently make up about 20% of the U.S. population.
Fa
lse.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people age 65 and older were projected to
represent 14.5 percent of the total population in 2015, an increase from 12.4 percent in
2000. However, as the “baby boom” generation (born 1946
-‐
1964) is now beginning to
surpass age 65, the proportion of older adults will grow dramatically. It is estimated that by
2030, adults over 65 will compose nearly 20 percent of the population.
26.
Most older people are living in nursing homes.
False.
A relatively small percentage o
f the 65+ population, 3.4% in 2013 (1.3 million) lived
in institutional settings such as nursing homes. However, the percentage increases
dramatically with age, ranging (in 2013) from 1% for persons 65
-‐
74 years to 3% for persons
75
-‐
84 years and 10% for p
ersons 85+.
27.
The modern family no longer takes care of its elderly.
False.
Evidence from several studies and national surveys indicates that families are the
major care providers for impaired older adults. Families provide 70 to 80 percent of the in
-‐
home
care for older relatives with chronic impairments. Family members have cared for the
typical older adult who reaches a long
-‐
term care setting for a significant amount of time
first. Research has shown that adult children are the primary caregivers for olde
r widowed
women and older unmarried men, and they are the secondary caregivers in situations
where the spouse of an older person is still alive. Spouses often give extensive caregiving
for many years. Parent care has become a predictable and nearly univers
al experience
across the life course, although most people are not adequately prepared for it.
28.
The life expectancy of men at age 65 is about the same as that of women.
False.
In 2011 remaining life expectancy at age 65 was about 2½ years less for men t
han
women (20.22 years for women and 17.66 for men). At age 75 women’s remaining life
expectancy exceeds men by less than 2 years (12.76 for women and 10.94 for men). At age
85 remaining life expectancy difference is only about one year (6.87 for women a
nd 5.81 for
men). Overall life expectancy at birth is almost 5 years greater for women (80.95) than men
(76.18).
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
12
29.
Remaining life expectancy of blacks at age 85 is about the same as whites.
True.
Although remaining life expectancy of blacks at age 65 is
about 1.5 years less than
that of whites at age 65, by the time they reach 85 remaining life expectancy is slightly
higher for blacks (6.8 vs. 6.5 years). The slight excess for blacks holds for both males and
females. One possible explanation for this co
nvergence effect is that blacks who make it to
the oldest ages do so in spite of many disadvantages and are “survivors” who have
developed physiological and social psychological survival advantages.
30.
Social Security benefits automatically increase with
inflation.
True.
Beginning in 1975 Social Security benefits are periodically automatically adjusted to
inflation. Current law ties this increase to the consumer price index (CPI) or the rise in the
general wage level, whichever is lower. For example, mon
thly Social Security and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 64 million Americans increased 1.7%
in 2015.
31.
Living below or near the poverty level is no longer a significant problem for most older
Americans.
False.
While the proportion of
older people (65+) living below the federal poverty level
declined significantly between 1959 and 2013 from 35% to 9.5%, this index rather
dramatically underestimates need. The poverty level is based on an estimate of the cost of
items in the Department o
f Agriculture’s least costly nutritionally adequate food plan
(assumed to be even less for a person over 65 than under 65) and multiplied by three
(suggesting that food costs represent one third of a budget). This is probably not a fair
representation of l
iving costs in many areas of the country, particularly urban areas.
Therefore, gerontologists and economists also look at the proportion near poverty level
(anywhere from 125% to 200% of poverty level). Using 125% of the poverty level as a cut
-‐
off, another
5.6% of older adults could be considered in poverty. Those included in this
group are disproportionately women, Hispanics, Blacks, those not married, and those living
alone.
32.
Most older drivers are quite capable of safely operating a motor vehicle.
True
.
Some older adults do have visual, motor, or cognitive impairments that make them
dangerous drivers. Many drive more slowly and cautiously or avoid driving in conditions
they consider threatening in order to compensate for these changes. Until approximat
ely
age 85 older adults have fewer driver fatalities per million drivers than men 20 years old,
but they do have more accidents per miles driven. Unsafe speed and alcohol use are leading
factors in accidents for young drivers, while right
-‐
of
-‐
way violations
are the leading cause of
accidents involving older drivers
-‐-‐
which implies a breakdown in such cognitive
-‐
perceptual
components as estimating the speed of oncoming cars or reacting too slowly to unexpected
events. Older drivers’ skills can be improved consi
derably by specific driver training such as
through the AARP “55 ALIVE/Mature Driving” program.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
13
33.
Older workers cannot work as effectively as younger workers.
False.
Negative perceptions of older workers persist because of health issues, diminished
energy, discomfort with technology, closeness to retirement, and reaction to change in the
work place
-‐-‐
all associated with older adults. To the contrary, research identif
ied
characteristics of low turnover, less voluntary absenteeism and fewer injuries in older
workers. Recent high ratings of older workers from employers cite loyalty, dependability,
emotional stability, congeniality with co
-‐
workers, and consistent and accu
rate work
outcomes.
AARP gave an award in 2013 (cosponsored by the Society for Human Resource
Management) to the Best Employers for Workers Over 50. Some of the nationally
recognized organizations that made the list were: National Institutes of Health (NI
H),
Scripps Health, Atlantic Health System, Michelin North America, and the Department of
Veteran Affairs
–
Veteran Health Administration Division.
34.
Most old people are set in their ways and unable to change.
False.
The majority of older people are not “set
in their ways and unable to change.” There
is some evidence that older people tend to become more stable in their attitudes, but it is
clear that older people do change. To survive, they must adapt to many events of later life
such as retirement, children
leaving home, widowhood, moving to new homes, and serious
illness. Their political and social attitudes also tend to shift with those of the rest of society,
although at a somewhat slower rate than for younger people.
35.
The majority of old people are bored
.
False.
Older persons are involved in many and diverse activities. After retirement many
participate as volunteers in churches, schools or other nonprofit organizations or engage in
hobbies and other leisure pursuits. They report themselves to be “very
busy.” As they age
most persons are likely to continue the level of activity to which they were accustomed in
middle age, albeit with a different set of activities that help structure their time and
provided feelings of accomplishment that were earlier pro
vided through work and/or family
responsibilities.
36.
In general, most old people are pretty much alike.
False.
Older adults are at least as diverse as any other age group in the population, and on
many dimensions they may actually be more diverse due to th
eir varied health, social role,
and coping experiences throughout the life course. As the older population becomes more
and more ethnically diverse, differences could be even greater. It is very misleading to talk
about older adults as “the elderly,” for
this term may obscure the great heterogeneity of
this age group.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015).
Facts on Aging Quiz
(revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)).
http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/
14
37.
Older adults (65+) have higher rates of criminal victimization than adults under 62 do.
False.
Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics suggest that this is not true. Statistics
show
that people over the age of 65 are less likely to be victims of violent crimes than
younger people and this has been true for many years. Annual data from national Crime
Victimization Surveys indicate that persons aged 65 and older have the lowest victimiz
ation
rates of any age group in all categories, including rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and
personal larceny without contact.
Only for the category of personal larceny with contact
(e.g., purse/wallet snatching) is the victimization rate equal to you
nger age groups.
Nevertheless, the health and financial consequences may be greater for the older victim. It
is important to note that
older people are more likely to report crimes to the police than
younger people so statistics are viewed as being more a
ccurate and representative of what
is actually occurring.
38.
Older people tend to become more spiritual as they grow older.
True.
Spirituality has to be distinguished from religion and participation in religion as a
social institution (the focus of this qu
estion in the 1
st
edition of this quiz). Spirituality,
according to Robert Atchley
(2008), refers to “an inner, subjective region of life that
revolves around individual experiences of being, transcending the personal self, and
connecting with the sacred.” It may occur in or outside of religious contexts, although
cohorts born before Wo
rld War II seem more likely to see the two linked than do later
cohorts. Continuing to grow spiritually seems to be an especially important frontier as
people move into the middle and later years. Tornstam’s (2005) gerotranscendence theory
asserts that w
e shift from a materialistic, role
-‐
oriented life philosophy to a transcendent,
spiritual perspective
39.
Older adults (65+) are more fearful of crime than are persons under 65.
False.
Although several surveys showed that fear of crime in general exists in old
er adults
-‐-‐
despite their lower rates of victimization (the “victimization/fear paradox”), when asked
about fear of specific types of crimes (e.g., murder, robbery) older people were
not
more
fearful than those in younger age groups. Studies that have show
n an increase in fear of
crime in later life possibly have used measures of questionable validity. To the extent that
fear does exist, it may have negative consequences for quality of life
—
leading to extreme
measures to bar one’s windows and secure doors
and general hesitance to go out in the
community.
40.
Older people do not adapt as well as younger age groups when they relocate to a new
environment.
False.
While some older people may experience a period of prolonged adjustment, there is
no evidence that th
ere is special harmfulness in elderly relocation. Studies of community
residents and of institutional movers have found an approximately normal distribution of
outcomes
-‐-‐
some positive, some negative, mostly neutral or mixed and small in degree. For
