MIsconceptions About Aging

By on January 7, 2026

Misconceptions about aging

by Jake Rossen for Mental Floss

Aging isn’t a bad thing—it’s something we’ll all do, if we’re lucky.

Aging might seem scary, but you probably don’t have all of the facts. Like, how much sleep do older people really need? And, is it dangerous for them to partake in hanky panky? Let’s take a close look at the myths and misunderstandings behind getting old from the episode of Misconceptions from Mental Floss Studios.

Why debunk these myths and stereotypes? Ideally, we’re all going to get older. And we’re also on a trajectory to living longer. According to the American Psychological Association Office on Aging, one in four people aged 65 today will live to be 90. By 2060, the number of older Americans will reach 98 million, outnumbering children under the age of 5. It’s important that as our population ages, we don’t rely on outdated beliefs. Anyone can be productive, happy, and healthy at any age.

Common misconceptions:

  1. Old people are inherently cranky. Contrary to popular belief, older people might be more likely to be happier, not grumpier, than younger people.
  2. Older people need less sleep. There’s an important distinction here: Getting less sleep and needing less sleep. Seniors usually need just as much sleep as younger people do—roughly seven to nine hours per night.
  3. Older people can’t build muscle. A 2023 study found that subjects in their seventies and even eighties who had never lifted weights before had measurable gains in strength and muscle mass after engaging in a program three times a week for 12 weeks.
  4. Smoking doesn’t matter if you are old. Smokers in their seventies still have a statistically better chance of gaining at least one year of life when they stop puffing.
  5. Older people don’t have sex. Not only does sexual desire remain in old age, but it can have plenty of health benefits. Like any physical activity, sex promotes cardiovascular health. It can also improve mood due to promoting positive emotional relationships.
  6. Arthritis only affects older people. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than half of arthritis sufferers that have been formally diagnosed are under the age of 65. Many people afflicted are in their forties, thirties, or even their twenties.
  7. Older people don’t make good employees. Workers with experience tend to be more informed and more capable than people with less experience. Their knowledge can also be passed on to younger employees, leading to greater overall productivity.
  8. Older people can’t donate organs. Despite what some believe, older people can be viable organ donors. According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, there is no age limit to give or receive organs.
  9. We are all headed for the nursing home. Census data analyzed by The Washington Post in 2023 found that less than 10 percent of 85-year-olds were in a care facility. That means the vast majority of seniors are living outside of those programs.

>>Read full article

JCA Blog, Uncategorized