Why do old people become so opposed to change?

Question

I love to learn new things. I hope I always will.

Answer 1

I'M IN MY 60'S AND I JUST CHANGED JOBS, AM TRYING TO TALK MY SIG. OTHER INTO MOVING TO CANADA (NATIONAL HEALTH CARE INSURANCE). I THINK YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE MORE CONSERVATIVE OLDSTERS, KIDDO. MY FIRM BELIEF IS THAT A PERSON BEGINS RUSTING WHEN THEY LOSE INTEREST IN WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THEM..............I LOVE AND EMBRACE CHANGE, IF IT'S FOR THE BETTER. I AM INTERESTED IN EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PLANET THAT I FEEL IS GOOD AND FUN. SOUNDS LIKE FROM ALOT OF THESE ANSWERS, YOU YOUNGSTERS HAVE ALOT OF PRECONCEIVED IDEAS ABOUT US OLD FARTS........HEE HEE.

Answer 2

I'm reading some of these answers and most of you can't be more than 18 maybe 19 so how can you answer for all of us, oh of course your experiences in life. First off i love change you have to keep up with the times. Much older people grew up in a different era and don't understand why things change, but at the same time I'll bet a lot of you wouldn't of did the jobs they had for no money so they could have food on the table for their family. As for not learning things i have 2 masters degrees and 2 books published before i turned 21 how many have all u have. If the person s set in there ways let them go. As for me i watch my youngest finish collage next year and follow her changes that she has to go through in life and i will stick by her. If you want to know my age I'm 52 years old and a correctional officer.

Answer 3

When these old people were younger, they too not only loved to learn new things but HAD to learn and adapt to new things very very fast. Imagine fifty years ago saying that in forty years time you will be able to talk to someone instantly using a plastic box with new technology in it. To the people aged 50+ in those days (now in their 100's if they are still living) if someone moved from New york to Texas,they were on the other side of the world almost. Nowadays in a few hours you can travel thousands of miles. This is only a few examples of how they have had to change. So is it too wrong of them to WANT things to remain the same for the short time that they may have left in this life? maybe when you reach your 70's + you too will want things to remain the same.

Answer 4

Because older people have a much harder time learning the changes that are around them. They process things slower, it's usually because of the degenerating of their brains, and that they are very forgetable. Dimentia is also a huge attribute, some older people get scared, when unable to do something.

For example, if you set up a home security thing at your grandfather's house, and then he walks in, and forgot about the alarm, he gets REALLY frightened, and then, he forgets how to turn it off, then he gets even more scared, he then forgets the password, Now he's so scared or angry about this new contraption, that he forgets the number to call for it, or where it would be. So he dials 911, and feels inadequet. about having to ask for help.

Answer 5

I appreciate it that you asked this question. Because for some reason, I am opposed to change. I really would like to know why.
I gues it's because people start doing things and then after a while it becomes routine. When the routine is messed up, for example, if they have to do something different; then they feel uncomfortable because they are not used to the change.

Answer 6

There is comfort and safety in what you are used to. But not all old people are like that. I have an 80 year-old aunt who emails and surfs the net with the best of them. She doesn't know how to put a web page together, but she understands and uses her computer daily. However, she has always been adventurous. In contrast, my 82 year-old aunt has never used a computer and doesn't want to. She was always ultra-cautious. So, I think it depends on the person. It could also be a lack of confidence.

Answer 7

Because change reminds them that they are getting older. And they can remember 20 years ago, like it was a blink of an eye. Life is often thought to have been simpler when they were young. Sometimes it is just hard to get used to somthing new. ( like going from aol to yahoo) takes a bit to do, but that doesn't mean it's not worth doing.

Answer 8

It is not just old people who are opposed to change. Generally, people are afraid of change because it upsets what is familiar to them. There is comfort in the familiar and less threat. Many old people are young at heart and are willing to look at change, many younger people are rigid in their thinking and opposed to change.
Also, I think people are afraid of things not in their control, like change.So, instead of saying people are opposed, I think a look needs to be taken at why the oppostion. Things are rarely as they appear on the surface.

Answer 9

Because old habits are hard to break.
They don't actually opposed to change they were just struck by the "kind" of changes that was happening.
They were just find it hard to adopt to changes thats were happening.
The youth today are very much adoptable to changes because of the fact that information nowadays is easier to gather because of the technology.
Learning is fun, and knowledge is what all of us crave for everyday^^

Answer 10

a lot of older people are set in their ways. I myself don't take to change well. But I am always willing to learn new things.