“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:32
It’s no secret that we live in a youth-obsessed culture. From a billion-dollar anti-aging industry dedicated to preventing and getting rid of wrinkles to digital tools and social media filters that mask the slightest imperfection, we are continually bombarded with the message that youth is a prized possession – something to be maintained at all costs.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, at the same time as our youth-centric obsession has grown, there has been an increase in negative attitudes toward older individuals. Indeed, several studies have shown that members of the younger generations now exhibit more negative views and attitudes toward older adults than was previously the case.
The World Health Organization reports that, globally, 1 in 2 people are ageist – that is, they show prejudice or discrimination against older people because of negative stereotypes.
While it might not be surprising to learn that ageism has deleterious effects on older people – contributing to everything from cognitive decline and depression to cardiovascular events and prolonged disability – it’s harmful for another reason: it can negatively affect the physical, cognitive and mental health of those who hold the negative beliefs.
Studies show that having a negative view of aging impacts many aspects of our later lives, from memory function and hearing loss to the risk of depression and cardiovascular events. It’s also associated with a higher prevalence for all of the eight most expensive health conditions among Americans, including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and injuries.
Holding positive views of aging, however, create the opposite effect, benefiting our physical, cognitive and mental health. In fact, one study found that people with a positive outlook on aging lived a median of seven and a half years longer compared to those who thought negatively. Another study showed that it protects against dementia, even among those with a high-risk gene.
As Becca Levy, researcher and author of the book, Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You live, explains in this article:
“People who take in more negative age beliefs tend to show worse physical, cognitive, and mental health. But the good news is that those who are exposed to or develop more positive age beliefs tend to show benefits in physical, cognitive, and mental health.”
Making Sense of God’s Command
Given that our views of aging can affect our physical, mental and cognitive health, God’s command to respect and honor our elders is hardly surprising (Leviticus 19:32). We are, after all, His creation and what He commands for us to do is always for our best interest – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually – even if it’s hard or doesn’t make sense.
And so, that God commands us to respect our elders is reason enough to do so. But as research continues to uncover a link between respect for the elderly and the health of a population and society, its importance is only bolstered.
Leviticus 19:32 says, “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”
Proverbs 16:33 says, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”
Proverbs 20:29 says, “The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.”
An analysis by the Orb Media found that countries with high levels of respect for the elderly recorded better health among older populations and lower poverty levels for over-60s.
Japan – which has a tradition of esteeming the elderly as respected, valuable members of society – has among the longest lifespans in the world. And Korea and China, both of which also celebrate aging and maintain a deep respect for their elders, boast higher life expectancies than the U.S.
This is not to say that views on aging and respect toward the elderly are the only determining factors in the health of a nation’s population. But, as evidenced by continued research, they certainly seem to play a role.
In general, cultures that respect the elderly and profess positive views on aging have reduced risks of dementia. As an article from Quartz summarizes:
“People who associate old age with uselessness or senility are more likely to develop dementia than people who associate it with positive attributes, such as wisdom and respect.”
Interestingly, unlike gender and race, age is the only social category that every living person joins. Try as we might, we simply cannot escape it. And yet, negative views on it are only growing more pervasive. May we heed God’s command to respect and honor our elders, and in doing so, become a healthier people and nation.