Why bother to discuss or defend such a notion? Because to perpetuate this myth is not only costly it's dangerous.

Although it's a fact government budgets are unable to keep pace with programs designed to enable those who made what we have today possible to age gracefully and ascend to there next station of life gracefully. It will in time prove to be more costly not to provide for a right granted by the most primitive cultures since beginning of time to the aged. It will prove to be more expensive because it is the so called "aged" in society who has the experience necessary to evolve to the next level of growth desired by the younger generation; who not only have this experience but are willing to pass it on at little or no cost when given the chance, a proven fact that dates all the way back to the first known civilization.

It's dangerous because all the foundation and support of such a myth is heaped on other unfounded myths:

1. To Be Old is to be Sick that are like saying being young is to be nave. In fact Macarthur Foundation disputes this as well as the other myth listed, citing that even in advanced old age, an overwhelming majority of the elderly population has little functional disability.

2. You can't teach old dogs new tricks. Yet the study has proved: older people regularly learn to use appliances and equipment that were unknown in their youth - food processors, microwave ovens, ATMs, even mastering the mysteries of VCR programming. And now, seniors are embracing computers in unprecedented numbers. In fact one of my favorite bosses won me over by saying that though one couldn't teach old dogs new tricks, he firmly believed an old dog could learn new tricks which this study definitely supports Besides isn't it wiser to learn from the age's experience.

Last but not least again we should learn from the ancient's history, which well documents proper care for the elderly and how the elderly cared for the babes and passed down its culture to the young.

In conclusion the obvious is that such a myth is not only costly financially but treacherous as well when one stops to think of all the wisdom that returns from which it came because we did not care enough to nurture care for its source, and pass it on.