New Yale Study Takes a Stab at Ageism

Age Is a Mindset: Ageism is a fact of life, whether you notice it or not. Older adults are often seen as less capable, less sharp, and less useful than younger people. A new study out of Yale University challenges society’s diminishment of our elders, showing that by many measures, folks actually improve with age. 

The Study: Researchers followed adults over age 65 for up to 12 years, tracking both physical function and cognitive health. They collected data on more than 11,000 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, a federally funded, long-term study on older Americans. Nearly half of participants showed meaningful improvements in either their physical abilities, mental sharpness, or both. One of the strongest predictors of improvement was mindset — specifically, positive or negative views about aging. Participants who held more positive beliefs about aging were significantly more likely to experience gains in health and function over time. 

Takeaway: Seeing aging as a period of continued growth, rather than a downward slide, may encourage behaviors like staying physically active, socially engaged, and mentally stimulated, all of which can support healthy aging. 

Keep in Mind: Aging does increase the risk of health challenges, but decline isn’t inevitable.