OK, here we go. I doubt if there are only five. You can find the article at this link:
1) As we age everyone will experience dementia. No, not at all. I’m sure you know many seniors who are still sharp and very productive. A healthy diet, regular exercise and stimulating activities will help seniors keep both physically and mentally fit.
2) Seniors can’t learn new skills. Hah! Not true at all. Look at all the seniors on the Internet and Web. Anyone at any age can learn.
3) Old people are lonely. This is kind of ridiculous as it is possible for a person of any age to be lonely. When a youngster goes away to summer camp they might be lonely. Make sure to check out the article this post links to as they discuss each of these myths in detail.
4) It’s too late to start exercising when you are a senior. Hah! Nonsense again. In some ways I am more fit than when I was in my twenties and thirties. I see many seniors out running, walking, doing yoga every day.
5) This last one is a doozy. Seniors have “no control over” their destiny. Again, hogwash. Seniors can make many choices and live rich, enjoyable, fulfilling lives.
I think the prevalence of myths like this is a symptom of how ignorant many people are. Somehow scientifically correct information on aging needs to become part of everyday knowledge. It needs to be integrated into the school curriculum at all levels so that everyone in society understands and appreciates the true nature of aging.