While aging takes its toll on the body, and there are many effects of aging which we simply cannot escape, there are also many misconceptions held about aging, especially by younger people (The Psychology). For instance, many people believe that when you grow old, there is no potential for growth and learning, and being actively engaged in life. While this is true of some people, it is not true for the majority of the elderly, who live happy, productive lives. There is also the misconception that there is an inevitable decline in mental function with age, but this does not have to be the case. Indeed, some people do slip into dementia and AlzheimerÆs as they get older, but this is not true of everyone. This is one of the most frightening thoughts for many people when they think of growing old; they do not want to lose their independence. A lot of people fear being abandoned by their families once they grow old, and being ôdumpedö into a retirement home to sit and wait for death. However, this may not be the case at all, and many of the elderly stay in contact with children and grandchildren, sometimes living with them, and sometimes living alone or in an assisted living facility, where they can still maintain a measure of independence.
These kinds of misconceptions about aging usually arise because of knowledge of someone that this has happened to, and so people tend to focus on the negative effects of aging, such as seeing disabled people being pushed around in wheelchairs, or people who have suffered a stroke and can no longer care for themselves (The Psychology).
With age, the maximum heart rate decreases and it takes longer for heart rate and blood pressure to return to normal after exertion (Pugh and Wei). Total lung capacity is relatively constant with age, but vital capacity decreases, and older adults are less efficient at controlling their breathing (Beck). There is an increase in mucus production, and a...