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  Is it possible that belief in negative

stereotypes of aging can make a senior less competent? A study published in the journal Experimental Aging Research suggests that just reminding elders of the fact that older people have bad memories, for example, may be enough to negatively affect their recall ability. Not surprising given that this effect can be found in any subgroup or individual. Tell someone they are dumb long enough and they will believe it and act accordingly. 

 

But when it comes to aging, our whole culture is saturated with belief in these stereotypes, including seniors themselves. Its both an individual and a social self fulfilling prophecy. Being surrounded by negative stereotypes of themselves may even affect the elderly's will to live.

 

The positive news however is that this knowledge can be flipped by emphasizing positive reinforcement and judging people one at a time. The power of belief is significant and we have much work to do to begin to see the elderly as individuals with strengths and weakness just like everyone else.

Stereotypes of Aging Video 

  Depression is about twice as likely to occur in dementia patients as the elderly in general. Along with depression comes weight loss, lethargy, and a host of symptoms and behaviors that are likely to lead to earlier decline and placement in nursing homes. Moreover, since we are not looking for it or think it is a normal response in dementia, the majority of cases are undiagnosed and untreated.

Fortunately a tool exists for detecting and quantifying this disease in those suffering from dementia. Its called the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) and it is a 19 question tool that health care practitioners can use instead of spot evaluation or subjective observations by caregivers. 

Just like in the general population, once diagnosed, depression can be treated in those with dementia. Dementia is a tough enough disease, there's no reason or justification for allowing another disease if it can be prevented.

Depression and Dementia 

The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia 

  If you've been around awhile you may recognize the name Maggie Kuhn. In 1970 she co-founded the Gray Panthers, an advocacy group that forcefully challenged the US Congress, the AMA, and conventional thinking about aging everywhere. Below is an interview with her from 1978. What's astounding about it is how prescient she was about the future of aging and how clear her vision was about "the liberation of aging". One of the things she believed was that the elderly should be "futurists". With accumulated wisdom, newfound time, and freedom to eschew conventional thought, she thought older people should be leading the way into a better future. She was both well ahead of her time and an inspiring leader for young and old. 

An interview with Maggie Kuhn #1

An interview with Maggie Kuhn #2 

Gray Panthers Website 

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