Over the Hill

An elderly woman was walking through campus. She paced through the sidewalk paths, then took a seat on a bench in the shade. She watched as each young college student walked by, barely even noticing her presence. The woman appeared to be confused about where she was, as many people seem to become as they grow old.

Although there are many characteristics associated with the elderly, there are also many misconceptions that society assumes about the older generations. An article on the Global Healing Center website by naturopathic medicine professional Dr. Lauri Aesoph describes five myths about getting old as well as inspires a little hope for those glancing over the other side of the hill.

Myth 1: Getting old means becoming senile. Many people think the elderly can't think for themselves. In reality, only 5 percent of Americans are senile.

Myth 2: Becoming old means losing teeth. Elderly today are much more likely to keep their teeth than previous generations because of the increased amount of education about dental care today.

Myth 3: The older people get, the sicker they'll be. Although it's true that physiology changes with age, keeping a healthy immune system can be key in fighting illness as a person matures.

Myth 4: Lifestyle changes won't help once a person gets old. Living as healthy as possible is always the ultimate goal. It's never too late to release those old, unhealthy habits. Also, starting an exercise routine can help prevent frailty.

Myth 5: As long as a person maintains the same eating habits as a young person, he or she will stay healthy. Just as children and teens have dietary requirements, so do the elderly. Aging alters a person's metabolism, so maintaining a healthy diet with the essential vitamins and minerals is crucial.