Wanted to share with you some MYTH-BUSTING ON AGING….
#1 MYTH-BUSTER: BODIES AGE AND THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT. (FALSE)
Too often when we talk about aging we first think wrinkles, slumped over bodies, canes, walkers, memory loss, dependence on others, etc. This is the image that we are bombarded with in the media. It is not the only story that can be told….Read below excerpts about a 91 year old track star and 70 year old who runs 3-8 miles at a time. Go to the links and be inspired.
Olga Kotelko, the 91-Year-Old Track Star - By BRUCE GRIERSON NY Times - Nov. 25, 2010
Bruce wrote: “At last fall’s Lahti championship, Kotelko threw a javelin more than 20 feet farther than her nearest age-group rival. At the World Masters Games in Sydney, Kotelko’s time in the 100 meters — 23.95 seconds — was faster than that of some finalists in the 80-to-84-year category, two brackets down.”
“70-year-old athlete keeps on swimming, pedaling and running” By Claire Martin of The Denver Post Published: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 8:00 a.m.
Claire wrote: “Lean. Energetic. Instead of disciplined waves, a rakish tomboy haircut. And a rigorous workout schedule that includes regularly running 3 to 8 miles at a time, swimming 2,000 to 2,400 yards, and a hard half-hour on the stationary bike (for now, in winter). “I really don’t think that what I do is all that unusual,” says Eileen Croissant, a composed 70-year-old who is becoming a fixture on the local triathlon circuit.”
Okay....maybe we should of read the articles while running on a treadmill :)#2 MYTH-BUSTER: WE WILL ALL GROW OLD AND END UP IN A NURSING HOME (FALSE)
"According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, slightly over 5 percent of the 65+ population occupy nursing homes, congregate care, assisted living, and board-and-care homes, and about 4.2 percent are in nursing homes at any given time. The rate of nursing home use increases with age from 1.4 percent of the young-old to 24.5 percent of the oldest-old. Almost 50 percent of those 95 and older live in nursing homes. ' Posted by Linda Breytspraak, Center on Aging Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City on Nursing Home Diaries website. www.nursinghomediaries.com
So...only 5% occupy care facilities....That leaves 95% who are not!!!
#3 MYTH-BUSTER: THE MAJORITY OF OLDER PEOPLE HAVE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (FALSE)
T or F The majority of old people (past 65 years) have Alzheimer’s Disease?
(Answer – False: Almost 90% of people who are 65 years of age do NOT have Alzheimer's Disease.
Facts on Aging Quiz Page by Linda Breytspraak, Ph.D.; Liz Kendall, B.S.N., M.A.; and Burton Halpert, Ph.D.
So...why do we joke about our memory...because we are so afraid of a 10% problem! In today's over sensory loaded, high tech, fast pace world...even 30 year olds have trouble remembering everything!
QUOTES ABOUT AGING TO ENJOY…..
Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. ~Samuel Ullman
How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? ~Satchel Paige
You can free yourself from aging by reinterpreting your body and by grasping the link between belief and biology. Deepak Chopra
So, the next time you look at an elderly relative look at what they can do and celebrate their successes, expertise and enthusiasm for life. If aging is all in our heads, we just need to change our thinking from I can’t run like I use to ….to “I better keep pushing myself and I will improve…the only thing stopping me is me!”
Send me links and articles that celebrate our wonderful older citizens….we can change our image of aging one story at a time.
Donna, thank you so much. I look around and see so many inspiring role models in their 70's 80's 90's and beyond. A gentleman I knew married his 80+ year old sweetheart in his 90's and was still singing to her and learning to play the violin when he died at 104! Remarkable!
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