Exploring Attitudes Toward Aging
Prof. Velandai Srikanth, now at a prominent stage in his career as the director of the National Centre for Healthy Ageing, reflects on a surprising moment he faced upon turning 60. A comment asking, “So when are you going to retire?” really caught him off guard. It hit him hard – the stigma surrounding aging was not just a distant thought; it was right there in front of him.
As a geriatrician, Srikanth encounters a variety of views on aging. Some individuals see it as a disheartening path toward decline, while others embrace the potential for joy and new experiences as they step into what some call their “third age.”
A study conducted in the U.S. highlights how these attitudes can greatly affect how one ages. Prof. Becca Levy, alongside Dr. Martin Slade from the Yale School of Public Health, investigated the effects of different attitudes toward aging on both physical and cognitive changes in over 11,000 individuals aged between 50 and 99.
The findings were striking: those with a positive outlook on aging generally outperformed their peers in areas like walking speed and cognitive tests. Interestingly, many of these individuals showed improvements over the 12-year period of the study.
Levy herself, who has spent years researching age beliefs, was somewhat taken aback by the extent of the benefits linked to a positive mindset.
“Most people have encountered or can recognize individuals who thrive in later life, yet we often categorize them as the exceptions,” she notes.
In fact, nearly half (44%) of the participants experienced enhancements in walking speed and cognition over an average follow-up period of eight years. And those who entered the study with a positive perspective on aging were notably more likely to see improvement.
Attitude assessments were carried out using various methods, including the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. This scale prompts individuals to express their agreement or disagreement with statements such as “The older I get, the more useless I feel.”
Levy also explored how people relate specific terms to aging, often uncovering negative associations at first, though positive ones tend to surface later.
Prof. Julia Lappin, a psychiatrist from the University of New South Wales, points out that accumulating evidence suggests a positive mindset can foster better health at any life stage. “Positivity tends to drive behaviors that enhance physical health,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of staying active mentally, physically, and socially throughout life.
Community influences can amplify this. Lappin illustrates this dynamic by describing neighborhoods filled with active older adults. Seeing someone, even in their 90s, still walking daily can motivate younger seniors to maintain a similar pace.
Srikanth underlines that positive aging also involves rejecting the idea that aging equates to illness. “Age is not a disease; it simply marks the passage of time,” he emphasizes, challenging the misconception that aging inevitably leads to conditions like dementia.
With a more optimistic perspective on aging, individuals often set higher expectations for themselves. Prof. Kaarin Anstey, a psychologist and director of the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute, adds that this might empower people to actively address health concerns rather than resign themselves to them.
For instance, rather than thinking, “That’s just part of getting older,” someone might decide, “I’ll look into getting that sore hip checked out.” Taking proactive steps like visiting a physiotherapist can stem from this positive mindset.
However, navigating societal ageism remains a challenge. The stereotype that someone over 60, like Srikanth, is nearing retirement, regardless of their capabilities, is still widely accepted. That’s a tougher battle to engage in.
“Our society faces age discrimination in hiring practices while simultaneously having an aging population and more individuals retiring later,” observes Associate Prof. Rod McKay from the University of Notre Dame.
According to Levy’s study, the age discrimination in the job market could mean employers miss out on candidates who are not only highly qualified but also likely to grow further in their roles.
Having a supportive perspective on aging plays a crucial role in recognizing both opportunities and challenges can help combat society’s ingrained age biases.
Prof. Brian Draper, a psychiatrist at UNSW, describes aging as a potential high point in life, noting that depression rates are generally lower among those aged 65 to 85, before rising afterward. “Retirement generally enhances various life quality aspects,” he adds.
While it’s evident that aging can come with physical decline, Draper asserts, “It can occur much later than expected.” He believes it’s vital to remember that people can still thrive and enjoy life well into later years, both mentally and physically.
