Psychology of Aging
This is a major part of the way people age. Social and individual assumptions about age and its consequences can lock people into a series of self-fulfilling expectations. The following listings are taken from an excellent self-help book :
Fries, James F. Aging Well. Addison Wesley, Reading (1989)
They succinctly review some of the issues that are in play, whether they be inherent in the aging process or aspects of the cultural overlay.
'The Disease of Stereotypes'
Dr. Fries puts attention on stereotypical assumptions about the elderly
as they are often implicated in the complex of social and familial interactions that can re-enforce illness. He suggests viewing these stereotypes in a different way such that the resulting attitudes and responses become more life affirming.
Old stereotypes --- New stereotypes
Physical
Feeble --- Active
Slow --- Is deliberate & effective
Gets in the way --- Compensates for limitation
Drives slowly & discourteously --- Is sensitive to courtesy issues
Causes accidents to others --- Uses time positively
Nonproductive --- Contributes in unusual ways
Mental
Crotchety, irascible --- Wisdom and counsel
Opinionated, impossible, rigid --- Learns actively
Not open to new ideas --- Seeks new inputs
Repeats the same old stories --- Has huge store of accumulated memories
Overtly critical of other generations --- Has unique perspectives and experiences
Lives in the past --- Seeks new experience
Social
Needs to be patronized --- Empathic and helpful
All old people are about the same --- Rich network of good friends
Uses up family resources --- Volunteers constructive efforts
Requires pseudodeferences --- Seeks and enjoys activities
Poses an economic threat --- Relative affluence
Aged individuals are marking time to death --- Looks forward and plans
In his excellent book, Dr. Fries draws some general conclusions which
lead to some clear and practical insights. To again quote from Aging
Well:
- Avoid Learned Helplessness. Consider setbacks as accidental, isolated events that will be over soon.
- Develop Self-efficacy. Recognize that your choices can change your future, and exercise your right to choose.
- Choose the right coping strategies. With personal crises, work to see a good side to them, and cope by using humor and altruism.
- Use the Life Cycle to your Advantage. Use the positive attributes of age to achieve the goals of age.
Some basic principles of aging well
- MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE
- MODERATE HABIT
- KEEP ACTIVE
- BE ENTHUSIASTIC
- BE POSITIVE
- BE INDIVIDUAL
Spiritual and Socio-Economic Issues
There are not only biological and psychological factors involved in aging. Sociological, economic and spiritual issues also play a profound role, but an adequate discussion of this complex of factors is beyond the scope of this course (or the skill of this author). A couple of brief points must be made however. Age is not a disease. Death is not an evil to be avoided at all costs. Our culture has developed some distorted perceptions about old age, seeing it as the undesirable mirror image of youth. This blinkered perception ignores the incredible value of wisdom and experience, denying our elders a say or seeing their contribution as being desirable. Our whole culture is suffering as a result. We are dealing with spiritual issues here. There needs to be an affirmation of aging and death, seeing it as the rite of passage it is. Much of the illness of elders is either a result of or aggravated by socio/economic issues that are not medical at all. Issues such as isolation and poverty may take the form of cardiovascular disease but won't be helped by Hawthorn. If our culture is going to evolve into a `kinder gentler' one, then attention must be given to these thorny questions.