In our culture, there’s an intense preoccupation with discovering the secret to eternal youth. Whether it’s the abundance of anti-aging products or the popularity of cosmetic surgery, the message is clear: youthfulness is associated with ambition, sex appeal, desirability, virility, and success. Not surprisingly, a recent survey by Australian Seniors found that 70% feel less noticed once they reach the age of 50, while a staggering 90% indicate that they feel subjected to negative stereotypes. In fact, in our society, ageism is the most common form of discrimination.
Despite this, emerging research paints a contrasting picture. When we explore the lives of our older population more closely, we find that they encounter fewer mental health issues compared to younger individuals. Remarkably, even though aging comes with its own set of stressors—such as cognitive changes, declining physical health, and social pressures (like empty nest syndrome)—older adults seem to fare better. So how can this be explained?
While aging does lead to some decline in cognitive abilities, such as processing speed and specific memory functions, these changes are generally minor and do not significantly impair functioning. Interestingly, most adults aged 65 and older do not develop dementia. However, it’s not just the physical changes that matter; older individuals often have an advantage over their younger counterparts due to how they perceive and evaluate their circumstances.
Positive re-appraisal is a valuable coping strategy for older adults, associated with enhanced mental health. It involves consciously re-evaluating negative or adverse events to identify positive aspects. Emotion regulation skills are also part of this strategy. For instance, when confronted with chronic illness, adults who adopt positive re-appraisal reassess their life priorities and reorganize their lives accordingly. This approach contributes to a more meaningful and purposeful existence, and often means prioritizing quality time with loved ones, and/or engaging in a creative or fulfilling hobby. In fact, even during COVID quarantine, research demonstrates that older adults generally had lower stress levels and less negative emotions than younger people. Further, back in 2004 Stanford University researchers discovered what they termed ‘age-related positivity’, or the tendency for older people to concentrate on sources of happiness, downplaying negative information. A phenomenon that has since been replicated in dozens of studies.
So, despite negative social attitudes and age-related declines in certain areas – our older population have the experience and wisdom to be able to cope better and live more fulfilling lives, by shifting and re-orienting their priorities when faced with adversity. Perhaps this is why the same survey results also revealed that 57% of Australians over 50 don’t think they have hit their prime, and nearly 50% of those surveyed over 70yrs stated that the happiest time in their life came after 50yrs. Finally, the proof we need to embrace getting older!