Those of us who are getting older, have a good chance of getting better. In the Scientific American,, the benefits that can come with being an elder are explored. Denworth (2024 argued against the stereotype of the elderly person inevitably becoming cognitively compromised, while acknowledging that aging does come with less physical agility. After talking to a number of experts on getting older, she concluded that many older people remain cognitively adept and become even better in some ways.
After admitting that there is indeed a group saddled with dementia and cognitive decline, physician John Rowe at Columbia University's school of public health maintained that "in general the 80-somethings"include the wisest people on the planet'" (p. 76). Rowe's research followed up to 16 years 2000 elders who averaged 77 years. of age. The three quarters that didn't get dementia showed little or no cognitive decline. Important contributors to their cognitive heath were a healthy life-style and good self-esteem. Other benefits to aging included more skill at conflict resolution. a greater sense of well-being, more emotional stability, and better self-regulation. Yes, cognitive processing slowed in the normally aging brain but only by milliseconds, which doesn't much matter in everyday life.
Older adults have more knowledge and are better problem solvers than younger ones. One study found that people over 60 were more often able to adopt multiple perspectives, to compromise, and to know what they don't know. Elders don't do as much black-and-white thinking. Studies generally have found that they are wiser and more optimistic. For many, there are many positive features about getting older.
REFERENCE: Denworth, L. (2024) Improving with age. Scientific American, 331(2), 76-77.
