Living Longer

Some myths about ageing.

• It's inevitable our brains will decline. No. While we may get slower at problem solving or decision making, other skills (vocabulary, knowledge, number skills,etc.) peak in middle age and then remain fairly constant.
• We will all get dementia. No. The latest research shows that overall prevalence in the population has gone down by 1.8% to an estimated 6.5% of the population. Other high income countries show the same trend. This seems to be the result of better education, more stimulating environments and reductions in cardiovascular risk.
• Our best and most creative years are behind us. No. Highly creative people often live fast and die young which skews the data.
• Your work life is virtually over at 60. No. There is no evidece that older workers perform less well, have lower levels of motivation or are less productive. Highly personalised work arrangements may be available.
• You'll end up a grumpy old witch. No. A wide range of studies indicate we are increasingly happy until the age of 30; then there is a low point around 40; then people get happier again. This happens regardless of money, employment status or children. (And its the same for chimps and ornagutans.)
• You will wind down with age. No. Inactivity is what ages us. There is an age-related decline in aerobic capacity and muscle mass but bodies expect to be exercised. With age, muscles become deaf to the body's calls to take up amino acids to stay strong, but if you combine exercise with a small amount of protein around the time of exercise your muscles get the trigger they need to do this.
• Sex will peter out. No. People who have never liked it much give it up, while those who did like it continue to enjoy it.
• We will be miserable and dependent on others. No. The Newcastle 85+ study found that 84% had complete or a reasonable degree of independence, while only 8% needed intensive levels of care.
• There is nothing you can do about old age. No. Longevity has long been associated with restricitng calories. It seems we are designed to function at our optimum when hungry and active.

Feature in Good Housekeeping May 2015