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Myths About Ageing (That Deserve to Be Retired)

  • Writer: Ali Cares
    Ali Cares
  • Jan 21
  • 2 min read
Teapot pouring tea into two white mugs on a wooden table with logs in the background, creating a cozy, warm atmosphere.

A few things I’ve learned from spending real time with older adults


Ageing has a PR problem.


In South Africa, we sometimes confuse that getting older means becoming fragile, grumpy, confused, or “past it”. In reality? Most of what I see every day tells a very different story.


Here are a few myths about ageing I hear all the time — and what it actually looks like in real life.


An elderly woman in a green dress walks toward a black storefront displaying an "Open" sign. Sunlit pavement indicates a sunny day.

Myth 1: “Older people don’t want to be independent”


Reality: They want independence more than anything.


What changes isn’t the desire — it’s the logistics. Needing help with lifts, appointments, or admin doesn’t mean someone wants to hand over control. It just means they’d like backup.


What helps: Support that steps in without taking over.


Hands selecting red dragon fruits in yellow mesh, stacked in a market. Oranges in the background add a colorful contrast.

Myth 2: “They hate technology”


Reality: They hate technology that isn’t explained properly.


Most older adults are perfectly happy using WhatsApp, Google, and apps — once someone shows them patiently (and without making them feel silly).


Also: many of them are better at voice notes than the rest of us.


Glasses and stylus on a tablet case rest on a white table. Soft lighting and a blurred background create a calm, minimalist setting.

Myth 3: “They don’t care what they look like anymore”


Reality: They absolutely do.


Hair, lipstick, favourite jackets, proper shoes — these things matter. Not for vanity. For dignity.


Feeling like yourself doesn’t have an expiry date.


Gold jewelry and pearl necklaces spill from an ornate, engraved cup on a dark surface, exuding opulence and elegance.

Myth 4: “Older people are lonely because they don’t try”


Reality: Loneliness usually comes from life getting smaller — not from lack of effort.


Driving becomes harder. Friends move or pass away. Energy changes. A little company goes a long way.


Two elderly men sit on a park bench by a tranquil pond, surrounded by lush trees and a stone path, enjoying a peaceful moment together.

Myth 5: “They’re difficult”


Reality: They’re experienced.


They know what works, what doesn’t, and what they won’t tolerate anymore. Honestly? That’s not difficult — that’s earned.


Myth 6: “Ageing is all about slowing down”


Reality: It’s about choosing what’s worth your energy.


Some slow down. Some speed up. Many just stop wasting time on nonsense.


A gentle reminder


Ageing isn’t one thing. There’s no template. No personality shift. No rulebook.

It’s just people — still themselves — needing support that fits their life.


If this resonated, feel free to share it with someone who might enjoy reading it too.


At Ali Cares support is about making life easier, not smaller.






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