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Myths & Realities About Ageing

MYTH Ageing equals sickness, disability and dementia.

REALITY Two out of three people aged 65 years and over rate their health as good to excellent. Dementia affects 2% of people 65-74 years, 6% of people 75-84 years and 22% of people 85 years and over.

MYTH Older people are a burden on society.

REALITY 80% of people 70 years and over live independently without help from care services.

MYTH The ageing of the population is a looming crisis.

REALITY People are living longer, many enjoying an active and healthy older age. Several countries are already managing population ageing successfully, by supporting people to remain healthy and independent as long as possible.

MYTH People stop learning once they reach 60 years.

REALITY Older people continue to learn as they age. They are particularly good at integrating new material into their existing skills and knowledge.

MYTH Older people don’t understand new technologies.

REALITY People over 55 years are the fastest growing group of internet users in Australia. A survey of retirees under 75 years found 53% accessed the internet from home.

MYTH Mature age workers lack the drive, creativity and commitment of younger workers.

REALITY Mature age workers are skilled and highly effective employees.

MYTH Mature age workers take more time off due to sickness, accidents and caring responsibilities.

REALITY Mature age workers have fewer accidents at work than younger colleagues and absenteeism is similar for older and younger workers. Despite the higher cost of work related injuries among mature age workers in some industries, they are more cost-effective than younger workers.

MYTH Older people are isolated and lonely.

REALITY Approximately 80% of older people attend social activities (e.g. restaurants, outings, sport) and 65% go to cultural events and venues (e.g. cinema, libraries, museums).

MYTH Pensioners and retirees only care about themselves.

REALITY Many older people actively contribute to their communities. For example, more than half of home and community care volunteers in NSW are 65 years and over,13 and 28% of people 65 years and over do unpaid voluntary work.