I find that as I'm getting older, it's easier for me to sing the high notes. I think it's because I've learned to relax and sing a little softer than I used to. If you sing really loud, your voice will fail on the high and low notes, or at least go a bit off key.
Not to be a fathead or anything, but I'm quite impressed with how the range of my voice has improved. I'm in a church choir with a director who's a good vocal coach - that helps a lot.

-Joe-

And just a note: If a person lives in a place where there is little contact with immigrants, it IS hard to understand accents. So, don't make an issue of it. If people don't understand, they don't understand. It's not racism. It's just not understanding.