1. The Aging Population: Myths and Stereotypes
Section 2, Unit 4

2. Vocabulary Aging- a natural, progressive process beginning at birth
Stereotype- a fixed idea that categories of people are all exactly alike
Myth- an idea commonly held as true, but which is factually incorrect

3. Old Age: Myths “Everyone is old at age 65.”
“Anyone with wrinkles or gray hair is old.”
FACT!
Being “old” is more closely related to how one feels and acts.
Health
Social Life

4. Work and Retirement: Myths
Older people gradually lose interest in work.
Older people take more sick days.
Retired people are still dissatisfied because
they are bored.

5. Work and Retirement: FACTS!
Less Absenteeism
Being absent from work
Less On-Job Accidents
Same Efficiency as younger workers
Same Job Satisfaction
Willing to learn new skills

6. Physical Attributes: Myths
Physical changes in later years will cause an older person to be admitted to an institution or to be homebound.

7. Physical Attributes: FACTS!
Changes:
Gray Hair
Need for Glasses, Hearing Aids, etc.
Chronic Ailments
95% remain in their own homes, 81% of those are still mobile.

8. Mental Processes: Myth
Elderly people are senile and depressed because of their age.

9. Mental Processes: FACT!
Depression and life-satisfaction are more closely linked with external factors (ex: the economy) so elderly people have the same chances of being depressed as younger people.

10. Financial Security: Myth
Finances of most elderly people is lean.

11. Financial Security: FACTS!
Income is fixed, so it is important to stick to a budget.
Less financial responsibilities