important for health care providers to become aware of and 148 Myths and Realities of Aging sensitive to the concerns and needs of older adults. Misconceptions about agiiig frequently encountered in medicine and in society at large include issues involving sexuality, sleep disturbance depression, cognitive impairment, and substance abuse. We perpetuate such misconceptions by overlooking or dismissing signs and symptoms of disease as part of the normal aging process. Consequendy, these conditions in older adults are significandy underdiagnosed and undertreated. Providers may foster the belief that decline in health, fimction, and cognition is an inevitable part of aging
and thus may neglect important health risks and behaviors in older individuals because of stereotypes and false assumptions (Alliance for Aging Research, 2003; Calamidas, 1997; Gunderson et al.,2005).
However, we can learn to recognize ageist notions that infiuence medical practice. Perhaps by becoming more aware of myths and realities of aging, we can improve the health and quality of life of our elderly patients.