"You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old,” said the late great George Burns, a man who continued to delight audiences until shortly before he died at age 100. The very personification of young at heart.
Aging is an undeniable fact. Even George couldn’t stop time. But with the prospect of living well into our 80s and 90s, the definition of “old” has evolved. How today’s seniors see themselves and their place in the world is radically different from their parents and grandparents.
In short: This is not your Grandma’s retirement.
Consider this: A century ago, the average life expectancy was about 50 years old. Today the number of Americans over 85 is rising faster than any group. By 2060 the number of Americans over age 65 is expected to double to 98 million. And thanks to healthier lifestyles, better medical care, and a whole new attitude, seniors are living it up and rocking retirement life – not the chair.
Unfortunately, even as older adults continue to prove they are very much a force to be reckoned with, they still face the bias created by ever-present ageist stereotypes. Check out some of the most common myths about the golden years.
Myth: Seniors Can’t Learn New Skills
Fact: It may take seniors a little longer to grasp something new, but most age associated cognitive changes do not inhibit older adults from acquiring new skills. In fact, experts suggest that instead of just maintaining cognitive function, seniors should always continue to grow their bank of knowledge. And here’s something to tell your kids: Many seniors actually outperform younger people on intelligence tests that draw on accumulated wisdom and knowledge.
Myth: Seniors are Weak and Frail and Shouldn’t Exercise
Fact: Evidence suggests that the benefits of exercise for seniors cannot be overstated. Even light exercise every day or several times a week is critical to maintaining strength, balance, flexibility, muscle tone, bone health and overall fitness. For senior bodies, motion is lotion.
Myth: Most Seniors Will Live in a Nursing Home
Fact: According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) just under 5% of older Americans will wind up in nursing homes and only 2% in assisted living. Instead, today’s able bodied seniors are more likely to choose modern senior living communities that offer unlimited physical, social, and intellectual enrichment in pristine, resort worthy surroundings.
Myth: Seniors Are Not Social
Fact: Seniors are as hungry for social interaction as their younger counterparts. In fact, maybe more so, as their empty nester living conditions make maintaining social connections difficult. Thanks to senior living communities like Overture’s premier apartments, seniors now have built in opportunities to make new friends and enjoy an active, upbeat social life. And - debunking yet another myth - those interactions may definitely include romance and physical intimacy.
Myth: Seniors Have Nothing to Say
Fact: Seniors at Overture’s premier senior living apartments are not only interested but interesting, enthusiastically sharing their knowledge, opinions and experiences with one another. Whether discussing books at book club, learning new recipes with friends at cooking class, taking an enrichment course in a specific period of history, or just hanging at happy hour with buddies, Overture seniors enjoy a unique bond that inspires connection and conversation.
“So much of your life gets better as you age,” promises Jane Fonda. So forget those outdated presumptions that seek to minimize your potential. Become part of an Overture community of happy like-minded peers who are living their best retirement life, proving every day seniors still got it.