Don’t worry ..you’re just getting old

Found yourself searching for your glasses when they are already on your head?

BECOMING forgetful, groaning when you get out of a chair and looking for glasses you are wearing are among the top triggers for feeling your age, a study found.

The average person starts to worry about getting old at the age of 40 – with losing keys and a receding hairline among the early signals.

Other signs of getting older include temporarily forgetting a child’s name and using the phrase: “When I was younger…”

Eight out of 10 people polled admitted to walking into a room and forgetting why they had gone there, and one in five said it happens often.

Stewart Stretton-Hill, of Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth, who commissioned the research, said: “Ageing is something that happens to us all and it’s something many people worry about.

“Dementia is becoming much more common as we live longer lives.

“It’s important for people to think about their future as they get towards retirement age and have a plan for what happens when they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves.”

Unsurprisingly, the No1 sign you’re getting old was noticing wrinkles on your face, according to the study. This was followed by realising your eyesight and hearing are diminishing.

Those aged 35 to 44 said they were more likely to “feel old” than those over 44, suggesting actual age has little bearing on how old you feel. Three-quarters said they worry about getting old, with seven in 10 anxious about suffering from dementia.

However, 95 per cent haven’t put any plans in place to deal with a dementia diagnosis.

Eight in 10 admit they have no idea what causes dementia, with a further 40 per cent unaware of any dementia symptoms.

Stretton-Hill added: “Despite many people being concerned about ageing and developing dementia, the vast majority haven’t done anything to prepare for their later life.

“Very few people have a lasting power of attorney in place but failing to do so can cause a legal headache over who should be making decisions in future.”