The top ten myths about seniors in BC (2)

The Top 10 Myths About Seniors in B.C. (Myths 6–10)

Less obvious myths that quietly reinforce ageism

Myth 6: Seniors are a burden on the health care system
Fact: Seniors are also major contributors to care, prevention, and community support.

Older adults provide unpaid caregiving, volunteer in hospitals and communities, and actively manage chronic conditions to stay independent. Framing seniors as “a burden” ignores their contributions and oversimplifies complex system-wide health care challenges.

Myth 7: Seniors don’t want to learn new things
Fact: Lifelong learning is common among older adults.

Seniors take courses, learn new skills, adapt to new systems, and pursue creative and intellectual interests well into later life. What often limits participation is access, cost, transportation, or assumptions that learning opportunities are “not for them.”

Myth 8: Most seniors are socially isolated by choice
Fact: Isolation is usually caused by barriers, not preference.

Transportation gaps, inaccessible housing, digital barriers, and the loss of peers can shrink social networks. Most seniors want connection, purpose, and belonging, but need inclusive environments to make that possible.

Myth 9: Seniors are resistant to change
Fact: Older adults have lived through, and adapted to, enormous change.

Economic shifts, technological revolutions, social movements, and global crises are part of many seniors’ lived experiences. Adaptability doesn’t disappear with age; it’s often refined by experience.

Myth 10: Seniors are all the same
Fact: Older adults are the most diverse age group.

Seniors differ by culture, income, education, health, gender identity, ability, geography, and life experience. Treating them as a single group erases individuality and leads to one-size-fits-all policies.