Research Topics: Gerontology

Realities of Aging : Introduction to Gerontology

Late Adulthood Late adulthood starts at the age of sixty five. In which the ego development outcome according to Erickson is integrity versus despair and the basic strengths is wisdom. As we grow older, we often look back our experiences in our life it may bad experiences or the good one. In achieving the integrity the individual look back his life with full of happiness and contented of what they had done before and according to them that their life is full of meaning and feel the fulfillment in contributing the purpose of life to others. In this case, the individual never want to go back of their yesterday for the reason that they already done of that stage in which they aim to go forward and do of what they have not done yet in their life. Through their good experiences in the past, they were able to gain wisdom. Wisdom that can be shared t others in which others able to value their insights. Through this strength, they are able to learn and accept that every one of us has an end. On the other hand, not all individual in this stage achieved the integrity but some experiences bad and perceives their mistakes. In this stage, an individual want to go back their past experiences and make everything into right. The individual is not contented and not happy of their yesterday, where they are still searching the meaning and purpose of their life. They do not want to end their life for the reason that they want to struggle more because of the reason of wondering if their journey in life is worth keep. Older Age This stage is the next level from late adulthood. As the age becomes older many adjustments happen in this stage for many reason where older people become inactive in the society. Reasons that must put in concern of the society that our older people are still kicking and alive in which they can still recognize the important of every one and feel the way we feel. Some reasons why older people tend to detach from the society like retiring from their work, their friends and families may die and because of that they become lonely and homeless for this reason nobody understands and relate their way of thinking, their physical health is deteriorating thus less opportunity to be part in the society. That is why most of them tend to cope with negative stereotyping because of the negative view from the society and spending their time on their own and prefer to do their activities at home. In addition to this, society has less expectation to the older one with regards to their daily activity and how they going to fulfill it. It is normal to the older people that they have less capacity in doing their daily activity but not to the extent that the society will discriminate them but instead help or assist them in doing their activity. It is important to remember that these people have feelings and can still recognize. The society must be supportive to them and encourage to be socialized with others; in this case the older people can feel that they are still useful, part and important in this world, through this we can uplift them to live their remaining life to the fullest at least they could say that they are done already in this world with full of contentment. References: Cart, C. S. (1990). The realities of aging: An introduction to gerontology, 3rd ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Gillies, John. (1981). A Guide to Caring for and Coping with Aging Parents. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Halpert, B. P., Ph.D. “Health Tips on Aging.” May & December 1985. Center on Aging Studies, University of Missouri at Kansas City (Missouri). Extracted from: Senior Series Volume 1, The Center on Rural Elderly, University of Missouri System. Morgan, L., & Kunkel, S. (2001). Aging: The social context. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press. Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Realities of Aging : Introduction to Gerontology

Late Adulthood Late adulthood starts at the age of sixty five. In which the ego development outcome according to Erickson is integrity versu...