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What's your aging I.Q.? - National Institute of He
What's Your Aging I.Q.?
True or False
1.Baby boomers are the fastest growing segment of the population.
2.Families don't bother with their older relatives.
3.Everyone becomes confused or forgetful if they live long
enough.
4.You can be too old to exercise.
5.Heart disease is a much bigger problem for older men than for
older women.
6.The older you get, the less you sleep.
7.People should watch their weight as they age.
8.Most older people are depressed. Why shouldn't they be?
9.There's no point in screening older people for cancer because
they can't be treated.
10.Older people take more medications than younger people.
11.People begin to lose interest in sex around age 55.
12.If your parents had Alzheimer's disease, you will inevitably
get it.
13.Diet and exercise reduce the risk for osteoporosis.
14.As your body changes with age, so does your personality.
15.Older people might as well accept urinary accidents as a fact
of life.
16.Suicide is mainly a problem for teenagers.
17.Falls and injuries "just happen" to older people.
18.Everybody gets cataracts.
19.Extremes of heat and cold can be especially dangerous for older
people.
20."You can't teach an old dog new tricks."
Answers
1. False.
There are more than 3 million Americans over the age of 85. That
number is expected to quadruple by the year 2040, when there will
be more than 12 million people in that age group. The population
age 85 and older is the fastest growing age group in the U.S.
2. False.
Most older people live close to their children and see them often.
Many live with their spouses. An estimated 80 percent of men and
60 percent of women live in family settings. Only 5 percent of the
older population lives in nursing homes.
3. False.
Confusion and serious forgetfulness in old age can be caused by
Alzheimer's disease or other conditions that result in irreversible
damage to the brain. But at least 100 other problems can bring on
the same symptoms. A minor head injury, high fever, poor
nutrition, adverse drug reactions, and depression also can lead to
confusion. These conditions are treatable, however, and the
confusion they cause can be eliminated.
4. False.
Exercise at any age can help strengthen the heart and lungs and
lower blood pressure. It also can improve muscle strength and, if
carefully chosen, lessen bone loss with age. See a physician
before beginning a new exercise program.
5. False.
The risk of heart disease increases dramatically for women after
menopause. By age 65, both men and women have a one in three
chance of showing symptoms. But risks can be significantly reduced
by following a healthy diet and exercising.
6. False.
In later life, it's the quality of sleep that declines, not total
sleep time. Researchers have found that sleep tends to become more
fragmented as people age. A number of reports suggest that older
people are less likely than younger people to stay awake throughout
the day and that older people tend to take more naps than younger
people.
7. True.
Most people gain weight as they age. Because of changes in the
body and decreasing physical activity, older people usually need
fewer calories. Still, a balanced diet is important. Older people
require essential nutrients just like younger adults. You should
be concerned about your weight if there has been an involuntary
gain or loss of 10 pounds in the past 6 months.
8. False.
Most older people are not depressed. When it does occur,
depression is treatable throughout the life cycle using a variety
of approaches, such as family support, psychotherapy, or
antidepressant medications. A physician can determine whether the
depression is caused by medication an older person might be taking,
by physical illness, stress, or other factors.
9. False.
Many older people can beat cancer, especially if it's found early.
Over half of all cancers occur in people 65 and older, which means
that screening for cancer in this age group is especially
important.
10 True.
Older people often have a combination of conditions that require
drugs. They consume 25 percent of all medications and can have
many more problems with adverse reactions. Check with your doctor
to make sure all drugs and dosages are appropriate.
11. False.
Most older people can lead an active, satisfying sex life.
12. False.
The overwhelming number of people with Alzheimer's disease have not
inherited the disorder. In a few families, scientists have seen an
extremely high incidence of the disease and have identified genes
in these families which they think may be responsible.
13. True.
Women are at particular risk for osteoporosis. They can help
prevent bone loss by eating foods rich in calcium and exercising
regularly throughout life. Foods such as milk and other dairy
products, dark green leafy vegetables, salmon, sardines, and tofu
promote new bone growth. Activities such as walking, biking, and
simple exercises to strengthen the upper body also can be
effective.
14. False.
Research has found that, except for the changes that can result
from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, personality
is one of the few constants of life. That is, you are likely to
age much as you've lived.
15. False.
Urinary incontinence is a symptom, not a disease. Usually, it is
caused by specific changes in body function that can result from
infection, diseases, pregnancy, or the use of certain medications.
A variety of treatment options are available for people who seek
medical attention.
16. False.
Suicide is most prevalent among people age 65 and older. An older
person's concern with suicide should be taken very seriously and
professional help should be sought quickly.
17. False.
Falls are the most common cause of injuries among people over age
65. But many of these injuries, which result in broken bones, can
be avoided. Regular vision and hearing tests and good safety
habits can help prevent accidents. Knowing whether your
medications affect balance and coordination`1 also is a good idea.
18. False.
Not everyone gets cataracts, although a great many older people do.
Some 18 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have
cataracts, while more than 40 percent of those between 75 and 85
have the problem. Cataracts can be treated very successfully with
surgery; more than 90 percent of people say they can see better
after the procedure.
19. True.
The body's thermostat tends to function less efficiently with age,
making the older person's body less able to adapt to heat or cold.
20. False.
People at any age can learn new information and skills. Research
indicates that older people can obtain new skills and improve old
ones, including how to use a computer.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
October 1991
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