According to a report by US News and World Report, many common ailments and changes that we naturally affiliate with the aging process, are not in fact normal for everyone and many common aging myths don’t hold as much truth as we like to assume.

1. Extra weight cuts your life short – studies show that carrying a few extra pounds (up to 30lbs) in you senior years may not result in a shortened lifespan after all, provided you are not obese with a BMI over 30. At age 75 an extra 30 lbs can actually be protective of the immune system, staving off other illnesses; proving that carrying a little extra weight isn’t always bad, as we’ve been taught to think.

2. Everyone must prepare for senility – we’ve all heard the expression “old and senile” when discussing older adulthood, but senility doesn’t happen to everyone contrary to the stereotype. Some cognitive decline may occur, but it typically doesn’t compromise a senior’s ability to live independently.

3. San Jose and Los Gatos seniors shouldn’t exercise – the belief is that seniors won’t have the energy to exercise, or that it can be harmful. However, seniors who exercise have a lower occurrence of heart problems, and less fatigue.

4. All hearing loss requires a hearing aid – only 35% of seniors require hearing aids; although many seniors do experience some form of hearing loss, many maintain perfect hearing into their later years.

5. Seniors are cranky – while some seniors may experience personality changes due to Alzheimer’s or dementia, or may experience bouts of depression due to their declining health, research proves that our personalities don’t change after age 30. The cranky seniors you know have probably always been that way.

Sources:

1 US News & World Report

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Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents – 408-370-6360.