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This module looks at common, but often overlooked facts about aging which will help us all better understand and interact with older adults.
- Happiness Often Follows a U-Shaped Curve
Many people believe that as we age our happiness declines, but research suggests something different. Studies have found that happiness tends to follow a U-shaped curve across our lifetime. People report lower happiness levels during mid-life and happiness then tends to increase again during older adulthood (Galambos).
(Henderson)
2. Elder-Speak Can Be Harmful
2. Elder-Speak Can Be Harmful
You may have heard people talking to older adults as if they were a child. This is called elder-speak and it can be very harmful and degrading to older adults. Although the intention is usually to sound caring, research shows that it can reduce a person's sense of independence and self-esteem (Zhang).
Examples of elder-speak include speaking in in a pitched slow tone, or phrases such as "let's take our medication".
The approach that should be taken instead is communicating with older adults as you would with any other adult.
3. Most Older Adults Do Not Live in Nursing Homes
3. Most Older Adults Do Not Live in Nursing Homes
Many people picture aging as moving into a nursing home because that is how aging is typically represented in the media. This is not the reality for most older adults. The majority of older adults live independently in their own homes. Only 2.4% of the population of elders are living in senior homes (William A. Johnson, P.A., 2024).
4. Older Adults Can Continue Learning
4. Older Adults Can Continue Learning
A common myth is "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" and unfortunately many believe this is true with older adults. In reality, the brain remains able to learn throughout life.
In fact, research shows older adults can learn just as effectively as younger people and lifelong learning can help to reverse or delay age-related cognitive decline (UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, n.d.).
References
Galambos, N. L., Krahn, H. J., Johnson, M. D., & Lachman, M. E. (2020). The U shape of happiness across the life course: Expanding the discussion. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 15(4), 898-912.
Henderson, M. C. (n.d.). The paradox of aging: The happiness U-curve [Image]. Margit Henderson. https://www.margithenderson.com/the-paradox-of-aging-the-happiness-u-curve/
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. (n.d.). The benefits of lifelong learning for older adults. https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/thematic-studies-benefits-lifelong-learning-older-adults
William A. Johnson, P.A. (2024, May 21). Nursing home statistics in the 2020s. Florida Elder Law. https://www.floridaelderlaw.net/blog/2024/05/nursing-home-statistics-in-the-2020s/
Zhang, M., Zhao, H., & Meng, F. P. (2020). Elderspeak to resident dementia patients increases resistiveness to care in health care profession. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 57, 0046958020948668.
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