Late Adulthood and Death Paper

Late Adulthood and Death Paper

Paul R. Smith

PSY/280

March 28, 2016

R. Adinah Johnson

        Late adulthood begins at age 65 and is considered by most a time of wisdom and rest in the form of retirement.  Everyone wants a peaceful old age but it’s not as cut and dry as you might think.  The truth of the matter is while one elderly person may be content with the reflection of life there is always another who feels that their life was a failure and didn’t mean as much as they wanted it too.  During this time of reflection it is always ideal to have no regrets but it’s easier said than done.  In this paper we will be examining ageism as well as known stereotypes associated with late adulthood.  We will also be discussing health and wellness and how they can be used to mitigate the negative effects of ageing.  Relationships are also important in this time of life and we will discuss social interactions and how they can me important close to the end of life.  Also cultural and personal attitudes vary about dignity and death and these will be examined to see how they may differ from one another.  Ageing and dying are not topics that most people wish to discuss but it is something we should all be prepared for at some point in our lives.

        Ageism is a term that was originally coined in 1969 by Robert Neil Butler and described as stereotyping and discriminating against anyone on the basis of age.  Butler mostly used the term to speak out against discrimination against seniors and patterned on sexism and racism.  Once elderly people reach a certain age many organizations have in the past pushed older employees into retiring against their will as well as turn down potential employees solely on the basis of age.  Butler explained that there is three main components involved in ageism.   Among them were prejudicial attitudes towards older people, old age, and the aging process along with discriminatory practices against older people and institutional practices and policies that perpetuate stereotypes about elderly people.  

        Stereotypes about getting old are something most of us hear every day but the truth is many of these well-known sayings about the ageing process are not completely true.  While it is true that getting older causes our bodies to slow down in allot of ways, we shouldn’t always assume that an elderly person can’t keep up with the young.  There are studies out there that show a healthy elderly individual actually compete with and even out perform a younger, seemingly stronger individual half their age.  Another stereotypical statement often said about older adults is that they are forgetful.  While cognitive processes do decline some with age it has actually been theorized that constantly repeating such stereotypes to elderly individuals can cause even more negative effects on them.  

        During late adulthood health and wellness can be an important factor in combating the ageing process.  During this stage of life cardiac problems are a very common cause of death along with cancer.  Eating a healthy diet is one of the most important things an older person can do to help prolong life.  Other factors that will help is exercising regularly and frequent visits to a primary care facility to receive necessary treatment for any issues that may already be in play.  Exercises that could be beneficial is walking or jogging if possible along with swimming and bicycling if the individual gets around good.  For individuals who don’t get around as good a physical therapist could possibly do wonders for them.