The top ten myths about seniors in BC

The Senior Advocate for the province of BC recently released the top 5 myths that his office found many younger people believe about seniors in BC I did some research and came up with a few more myths. In the next three posts, I will discuss the myths.

Post One: The Top 10 Myths About Seniors in B.C. (Myths 1–5)

The most common myths that influence how younger people perceive ageing

Myth 1: Most older people are grumpy and unhappy
Fact: Research consistently shows that happiness increases later in life.

The well-known “U-curve of happiness” shows satisfaction is high in youth, dips in midlife, and rises again after age 55. Statistics Canada data from 2025 shows that 60.5% of Canadians aged 65+ rated their life satisfaction between 8 and 10 out of 10, compared to 46% of people aged 15–24. Many older adults report greater emotional regulation, perspective, and contentment than earlier in life.

Myth 2: Most older people are wealthy
Fact: Most B.C. seniors live on low to moderate incomes.

In B.C., about 25% of seniors live on annual incomes below $23,800, and half live on under $37,000 a year. Community organizations report record numbers of seniors using food banks and meal programs, and seniors are one of the fastest-growing groups experiencing homelessness. The image of the “well-off retiree” hides real financial vulnerability.

Myth 3: Most older people can’t use or adapt to technology
Fact: Seniors are more tech-savvy than ever.

In 2022, 83% of Canadians aged 65+ used the internet, with B.C. leading the country. During the pandemic, the vast majority of seniors went online daily for banking, health care, communication, and learning. The real barriers are cost, design complexity, and lack of support—not age.

Myth 4: Older workers are not as effective as younger workers
Fact: Job performance is not determined by age.

Research shows that intellectual capacity and the ability to perform routine or complex tasks do not decline simply because someone gets older. While some physical jobs may require accommodation, many older workers bring experience, judgment, reliability, and mentorship skills. In 2024, 15% of people aged 65+ in B.C. were employed—higher than the national average. Policies that restrict benefits or pensions based solely on age contribute to discrimination, not productivity.

Myth 5: Most older people have dementia or serious memory loss
Fact: Dementia is not a normal part of ageing.

In B.C., only about 5% of people aged 65+ have dementia, and that rate has remained stable for years. Occasional forgetfulness is not the same as cognitive decline. Assuming memory loss simply because someone is older fuels fear, stigma, and exclusion.