Intelligence is irrelevant to a happy old age


Intelligence may lead to a better paid job and quality of life but, in old age, cleverness has no effect on happiness, new research suggests.

A happy old age is what many people spend their lives preparing for, aiming for financial security and good health in their dotage. But one thing people need not worry about, it seems, is how clever they are. A study of more than 400 pensioners reveals that cognitive ability is unrelated to happiness in old age.

The Scottish research looked at a group of 416 people born in 1921, who underwent intelligence tests at the ages of 11 and 79. At the age of 80, the group was also sent a “satisfaction with life” questionnaire, which had them assess their current level of happiness.

“We found no association between levels of mental ability and reported happiness, which is quite surprising because intelligence is highly valued in our society,” says Alan Gow, who carried out the research with colleagues at the University of Edinburgh, UK.

Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for older people include seniors — chiefly an American usage — or elderly. As occurs with almost any definable group of humanity, some people will hold a prejudice against others; in this case, against older people. This is one form of ageism.

Older people have limited regenerative abilities and are more prone to disease, syndromes, and sickness than other adults. For the biology of ageing, see Senescence. The medical study of the aging process is gerontology, and the study of diseases that afflict the elderly is geriatrics.


Different lives

Participants were asked to respond to five statements about their happiness and give a rating on a scale of 1 to 7 according to how strongly they agreed. The statements referred mainly to their current life, but also asked if, given the chance, they would like to have done anything differently with their lives.

Previous studies have shown that people who possess attributes regarded as desirable by modern Western society, such as intelligence, money or sporting talent are rewarded with higher social status, a better paid job and a more comfortable standard of living.

Higher social standing has also been linked to increased happiness. However, Gow and his co-authors suggest that intelligent people may also be more concerned about achievement and more aware of alternative lifestyles, which may lead to dissatisfaction.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

oldage changes

As we grow older, our body experiences physical changes. The changes that come in you with age are dependent on many factors like lifestyle, disease and environmental factors. These changes can be worked upon to alter your ageing process. People age differently so what is true for one may not be for another. However, there are some changes that are common to ageing.

With age skin becomes much drier, less elastic and fragile. Skin becomes drier and wrinkles appear. Due to less production of natural oils the skin tends to bruise easily and age spots occur. Skin also experiences a reduced ability to regulate body temperature by losing or retaining heat.

This makes older people more and more inclined to the effects of heat and cold. Hair becomes gray and thin. The effect of thinning is especially more prominent in men. Exposure to the sun play a major role in ageing of skin. So the more you are exposed to the sun, more are the chances of the damage to the skin. Skin cancer is a concern and its risk becomes higher once you reach an age of 65. With ageing teeth may began to fall out. Though most of the adults can keep their teeth. But the teeth and gums become susceptible to infections because of lesser production of saliva. Dry mouth is a common problem. Teeth become brittle and can break easily.

Posted by Old Age at 12:14 PM
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