Aging is inevitable, but the health declines that appear to be part of the package may not be, according to provocative research about how our attitudes about aging influence our physical health.
It’s no surprise that the negative stereotypes about growing older that are pervasive in many societies could make people feel worse about themselves; the pioneering gerontologist Robert N. Butler coined the term “ageism” way back in the 1960s. And we know that being called a decrepit geezer can’t be good for anybody’s sense of self. Surely I’m not the only person who cringes when I see the word “elderly” applied to people in their 60s. A little Googling reveals that Oprah Winfrey is 65, Richard Gere turns 70 this month and Helen Mirren is 74. If this is what elderly looks like, it’s time to rewrite the definition.