Aging Quiz

Linda M. Woolf, Ph.D., Webster University

Below are a series of statements; some are true, some are partly true, and some are false. Most are common beliefs held by most individuals in the United States. Check yourself to see how well you are able to separate fact from fiction.



True or False?The majority (more than 50%) of older adults will become senile (defective memory, disoriented, demented) during old age. Answer
True or False?Most older adults have no desire or capacity for sexual relations. In other words, most older adults are typically asexual. Answer
True or False?Chronological age is the most important determinant of someone's age Answer
True or False?Most older adults have difficulty adapting to change. In other words, they tend to be set in their ways Answer
True or False?Physical handicaps are the primary factors limiting the activities of older adults Answer
True or False?Declines in all five senses normally occur in old age Answer
True or False?Older adults are incapable of learning new information. In other words, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" Answer
True or False?Physical strength tends to decline in old age Answer
True or False?Intelligence tends to decline with old age Answer
True or False?The majority of older adults say that they are happy most of the time Answer
True or False?The vast majority of older adults will at some point end up in a nursing home Answer
True or False?About 80% of older people say they are healthy enough to carry out their normal daily activities independently Answer
True or False?Most older adults are rejected by their children Answer
True or False?In general, most older adults tend to be pretty much alike Answer
True or False?The majority of older adults say that they are lonely Answer
True or False?Old age can be often characterized as a second childhood Answer
True or False?Over 12% of the population of the United States is over the age of 65 Answer
True or False?Most older adults tend to be preoccupied with death Answer
True or False?Most older adults have incomes below the poverty level Answer
True or False?Older people tend to become more religious as they age. This is often a result of facing their own mortality Answer
True or False?Retirement is detrimental to an individual's health. "Six months ago he retired and now he's dead, retirement killed him" Answer
True or False?Pain is a natural part of the aging process Answer
True or False?The majority of older adults say that they feel irritated or angry much of the time. Answer
True or False?Rarely does someone over the age of 65 produce a great work of art, science, or scholarship. Answer
True or False?With age comes wisdom Answer


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