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Healthy aging quiz: What's normal aging and what's not?

Are aching knees and a stiff back the automatic results of aging? Sure, your body changes as you get older, but that doesn't mean you have to accept symptoms such as pain. It also doesn't mean that you're destined to get the diseases and conditions often associated with older age. Here's a quiz to help you sort out what's considered normal aging, what may be a sign or symptom of something else, and how to stay healthy as you age.

1. Most aging adults lose their teeth and eventually must use dentures.

  • True
  • False

2. Aging adults tend to go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier than their younger counterparts.

  • True
  • False

3. Sex becomes impossible at a certain age.

  • True
  • False

4. Forgetfulness is part of the aging process.

  • True
  • False

5. Constipation becomes more common as you age.

  • True
  • False

6. There's not much that can be done about joint pain in older adults.

  • True
  • False

7. Most older adults are sick or disabled, making them dependent on other people.

  • True
  • False

8. The aging process causes urinary incontinence.

  • True
  • False

9. By age 55, almost everyone needs eyeglasses at least part of the time.

  • True
  • False

10. Growing older makes you sadder and more depressed than younger people.

  • True
  • False

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May 13, 2008