Oh Good – Worrying About Ageing Impacts How You Age

According to research from the Centre for Ageing Better, many of us are deeply afraid of ageing.

Their research, conducted as part of their anti-ageism campaign Age Without Limits found that almost a third of people are worried that they won’t be in good physical health as they age, one in five are worried that they won’t have good mental function and almost a quarter of people are worried that they won’t be independent and will have to rely on others for help as they get older.

Dr Carole Easton OBE, Chief Executive at the Centre for Ageing Better said: “If you consider that the public on average considers 58-60 to be old, it is shocking to think that such large proportions of the public don’t think they will have good mental function by this age, or will be able to drive a car as well or be as competent in their jobs. 

“Among the most common incorrect assumptions around ageing is that it is predominantly about frailty, decline and dependency. In reality, the large majority of us will not get dementia or live in care homes while just one in ten people aged 65 are defined as frail.”

Additionally, these harmful assumptions and fear could be making women in particular age faster.

How anxiety around ageing is harming women

A new study from the New York University’s School of Global Public Health has found that having anxiety about aging—particularly fears about declining health—may manifest on a cellular level and contribute to accelerated ageing, 

Mariana Rodrigues, a PhD student and first author of the study said: “We know from previous research that anxiety, depression, and mental health in general are associated with a number of physical health outcomes, but until now researchers haven’t focused on whether there is a correlation between worrying about ageing and the process of ageing itself.

“Women in midlife may also be multiple in roles, including caring for their aging parents. As they see older family members grow older and become sick, they may worry about whether the same thing will happen to them.”

Ageism plays a role, too

While life pressures and even our own health concerns can definitely play a huge role in our fear of ageing, the societal view of growing older doesn’t help us age into the next eras of our lives without anxiety.

Dr Easton says: “Hearing constant negative messaging about older age can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, affecting our self-esteem and what we think we are capable or worthy of as we get older.

“Thinking negatively about ageing and older people has been accepted and ignored for too long.”

She’s not wrong. Why do we think life ends as our wrinkles grow and why do we look at older lives as frail? 

How to address internal ageism

Of course, we can’t change the world overnight but we can challenge our own prejudices. For example, assuming that an older person is frail, doesn’t have a healthy sex life or can’t think independently is ageist. 

Healthline recommends the following steps to address internal ageism:

• Include older people practively in your life - “If you know an older adult who shares your love of sci-fi, yoga, or gardening, consider inviting them along to your next class, meeting, or hangout. You may have more in common than you think, and other members may find a new perspective refreshing”
• Push back against assumptions from others 
• Find ways to connect with older people in your community like joining local groups etc, where you can learn from one another

Getting older is a gift, we shouldn’t be scared of it.