Some Facts Related to the Aging Process - I

Directions: The following list contains a series of general statements related to various aspects of the aging process. They are adapted from Facts on Aging (Palmore, 1977), the Rossman Adult Learning Inventory (Rossman & Rossman, 1990), the Quiz on Alcohol Problems in Later Life, the Quiz on Depression in Later Life (the latter two developed by Pratt, Wilson, Benthin, & Schmall, 1992), and other sources. If you think the statement is true, put a T in the blank. If you think the statement is false, put an F in the blank. Please answer each question.

_____ 1. The majority of old people (past age 65) are senile (i.e., defective memory, disoriented, or demented).

_____ 2. Most old people have no interest in, or capacity for, sexual relations.

_____ 3. All five senses tend to decline in old age.

_____ 4. Lung capacity tends to decline in old age.

_____ 5. The majority of old people feel miserable most of the time.

_____ 6. At least one-tenth of the aged are living in long-stay institutions (i.e., nursing homes, mental hospitals, homes

for the aged, etc.).

_____ 7. Physical strength tends to decline in old age.

_____ 8. Aged drivers have fewer accidents per person than drivers under age 65.

_____ 9. About 80% of the aged are healthy enough to carry out their normal activities.

_____ 10. Most old workers cannot work as effectively as younger workers.

_____ 11. Most old people are set in their ways and unable to change.

_____ 12. Old people usually take longer to learn something new.

_____ 13. It is almost impossible for most old people to learn new things.

_____ 14. The reaction time of most old people tends to be slower than the reaction time of younger people.

_____ 15. In general, most old people are pretty much alike.

_____ 16. The majority of old people are socially isolated and lonely.

_____ 17. The majority of old people are seldom bored.

_____ 18. Older workers have fewer accidents than younger workers.

_____ 19. Most medical practitioners tend to give low priority to the aged.

_____ 20. Over 15% of the U.S. population are now age 65 or over.

_____ 21. The majority of older people have incomes below the poverty level (as defined by the Federal Government).

_____ 22. Older people tend to become more religious as they age.

_____ 23. The majority of old people are working or would like to have some kind of work to do (including housework or volunteer work).

_____ 24. The majority of old people are seldom irritated or angry.

_____ 25. The health and socio economic status of older people (compared to younger people) in the year 2000 will probably be about the same as now.

_____ 26. The pattern of mental abilities does not change with age.

_____ 27. Age influences the speed of learning.

_____ 28. Scores on tests measuring dexterity show no decline with age.

_____ 29. The inability to hear can produce emotional disturbances such as depression, anxiety, and frustration.

_____ 30. Speed of reaction time tends to decline with age.

_____ 31. A major change in distance acuity occurs between ages fifty and sixty.

_____ 32. Frequently the fear of aging is more harmful than the aging process itself.

_____ 33. It is easier to detect an alcohol problem in an older person than it is a younger adult.

_____ 34. Women of all ages with alcohol problems tend to be more secretive about their drinking than are men.

_____ 35. Signs of alcohol problems in older people are often mistaken for signs of aging or chronic illness.

_____ 36. Alcohol problems in later life increase the chance of suicide.

_____ 37. Alcohol is a stimulant and makes older persons feel younger and more energetic.

_____ 38. Memory problems may be a sign of depression.

_____ 39. Depression is easy to recognize in an older person who is physically ill.

_____ 40. A complete medical evaluation is needed to rule out physical reasons for depression.

_____ 41. There is a higher suicide rate among the elderly than among younger adults.

_____ 42. Most older people who talk about committing suicide are not serious.

_____ 43. Health professionals often have difficulty diagnosing depression in the older person.

_____ 44. By 2015, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects that more than half of HIV-positive people in the U. S will be 50 or older.

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Go to Age Facts Quiz One Answers.

Go to Age Facts Quiz Two.

Return to the Guiding Older Adult Learners section

Return to the first page.

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June 4, 2011