Is Our Youth-Obsessed Culture Making You Old Before Your Time?

Look young Feel young! Think young! The constant barrage of information about how being forever young is the only desirable way to live is enough to make even a young person feel old. Now researchers have shown that this ageism is potentially harmful to one’s cognitive abilities over the long term. A study led by Becca R. Levy, PhD of Yale University and her colleagues has shown that our memory is actually shaped by age stereotypes. In other words, if you are ageist in your thinking, adhering to stereotypical images of older people as bumbling, forgetful, annoying people who are going “downhill,”  your memory will likely age in accordance with the stereotypes that you carry. Read full article on HealthCentral about how being obsessive about youth can make you old: Purchase Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories – paperback or ebook Minding Our Elders lets you know that you are not alone, that you are not going to be perfect, but you can get the job done, You do the best you can, and that is good enough. We can't be Carol, but we can learn from her going before us. What a friend to have. What a gift she gave us. – CM Jones Related articles Caregiving Rewards Can Outlast Challenges Proper Dementia Diagnosis May Require Referral to Specialist Coping with Criticism from the Loved One You Care For                Related StoriesIs ...
Source: Minding Our Elders - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: blogs