Dr. Wiggins responds to typical myths about aging:

Myths

1. People, especially men, die shortly after retirement.
2. As people are living longer, they're living with more disability and limitation.
3. More than 20% of the population over age 65 live in nursing homes.
4. Pads and liners are an acceptable solution for incontinence.
5. Most old people are not interested in sex nor are capable of sexual relations.

Facts

1. At age 65, a man has 16 years life expectancy and a woman has 19 years.
2. An optimistic finding during the last 10-15 years is a decrease in disability among the older population. We're not only living longer, but we're living with fewer disease conditions and disabilities and with a better quality of life.
3. Most elderly people live in the community. Only 5% of the population over age 65 live in nursing homes. Among people over 85, only 20% are in nursing homes.
4. Medications and illness often play a role in short-term incontinence. Incontinence caused by a urinary tract infection, for example, is often reversible. For more complicated cases, there are medical and exercises that may offer substantial improvements.
5. Sexual urges change and evolve as people get older, but many old people have active sex lives. The interest in Viagra as a benchmark for how integral sexuality is in older people's lives.