Ageing doesn’t necessarily mean decline

A RECENT headline in the American newspaper, ‘The Washington Post’, had proclaimed: “People 65 and older can get better with age, study shows.”

It then went on to elaborate about the researchers at the Yale School of Public Health having found that nearly half of adults over 65 did better on tests of cognitive and physical function as they aged.

The study was published this month in the journal, ‘Geriatrics’.

This is certainly good news for all the Baby Boomers reading this column today; it is the silver lining amidst all the recent gloom and doom of hearing about contemporaries getting into accidents, falls, medical emergencies, and deaths.

Will we continue to age? Will we eventually die?

Without a doubt, but we can make the journey much better.

While ageing is inevitable, it is not a one-way street towards decline, especially physically and indeed, not mentally.

Prof Becca Levy at Yale has this to say: “I started thinking about these examples of people thriving in later life (from her case studies) – and how does that fit into this dominant belief that ageing is a time of universal and inevitable decline?

“Are they exceptions, or are they actually kind of showing the potential of later life?”

We are all used to being told about the negative aspects and the stereotypes of getting older.

A global survey in 2024 found that 65 per cent of healthcare workers and 80 per cent of the general population had falsely believed that developing dementia was a normal part of ageing.

The truth cannot be further from this negativity and perception of a downhill decline among the geriatrics.

The vast majority of older people do not have any cognitive impairment, and neither do they have a need for assistance.

In the last two decades, there has been much more research being carried out on the positive aspects of getting older.

Studies have shown that with age, many have developed better judgement and greater wisdom.

Seniors are more imbued with emotional intelligence and enjoy a level of happiness and contentment than those who are in their youth or their prime.

Part of the reason that scholars have discovered about what causes the disconnect between the stereotype and the reality, is that many research works on older people look at the average outcomes rather than the individual outcomes; or look only for decline or lack thereof, rather than the possibility of improvement.

On a more personal basis, as I am certainly within that category of Baby Boomer, I can safely say that those of us who are thriving in our seniority have a few things in common.

Firstly, it is one’s personal attitude towards age.

Attitudes matter so much that they are responsible for either a positive or negative cycle in your life. If you feel good about yourself as you age and believe that you can be useful to the world, and that you take time and energy to do things that you are passionate about, it makes a world of difference.

People thrive when they have something in their life that gives them meaning and a sense of purpose: it could be a grandchild; it could be volunteering at a charity or a church; it could be animals; travelling; a love for gardening; a hobby like dancing; socialising with friends; or working out at a gym.

The list is endless – the fulfilment of personal accomplishments is a major boost to both their spirit, morale and personal self-image.

Attitudes can change a person’s personal point of view of oneself; if you have a positive aspect about ageing, you might be more inclined to take better care of yourself.

You tend to create a persona by dressing well when you go out, and you are more likely to have friends.

You are more amenable to converse more and cover a wider range of topics and subjects besides the usual mundane coffee-shop social gossip.

It has also been proven by research that one of the most powerful aspects of disease prevention, health and longevity is social connectedness.

This basically means that with more social interactions between family and friends, one’s sense of self greatly improves – giving oneself more confidence and major mood lifts.

This would usually create more opportunities for one to do more positive things for oneself and others.

I am part of a small social circle who meet up regularly, at venues ranging from simple coffee-shops to bistros and pubs, as well as at various family clubs throughout Kuching.

One was formed more than 40 years ago, with the headcount having reduced over the years; another is a ‘Happy Hour’ group of about 20 members, several of whom have since relocated outside Kuching.

I can share my own personal approach to ageing by what I have found to have worked well for myself over the years; not intentionally, but probably just by the opportunities available, as well as having and sharing common interests and mingling together among like-minded folks – a great way to combat ageism is to be in the company of younger people than yourself.

I have spent a lot of time befriending, socialising and working alongside people who are much younger than myself.

When I was in my 30s, the gap was not that big – to socialise with a 22-year-old entry-level co-worker.

But at 55, I was hanging out in pubs with 35-year-olds; the gap only got wider as the years rolled by.

It was rather amusing as at one stage when I was in my mid-60s, and having drinks at a party with a majority of mid-40s and early 50s, a dear lady friend came over to whisper sweetly in my ear: “Don’t tell people your age!” – as if I could have passed for someone two decades younger than me!

You get the drift!

The Cambridge Dictionary describes the word ‘decline’ as: “A decrease in quality, quantity, or strength, or a polite refusal of an offer. Common usage includes declining health.”

It is my fervent belief that as age catches up on us all, we will definitely lose many of our youthful strengths and capabilities as well as some mental faculties.

But look on the brighter side, as I conclude with three appropriate quotes.

“Ageing is the most natural and beautiful thing; it’s a mark of survival and grace.” — Unknown.

“The beauty of ageing is in the wisdom gained.” — Unknown.

“In youth, we learn; in age, we understand.” — Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach.