Late Adulthood and End of Life

As an individual grows from a child into an adult and throughout their lives, they experience a number of changes. Changes that occur in adulthood are not as progressive as seen in earlier developmental stages, but are nonetheless important in a person's odyssey toward their end of life. This paper will explore the aspects of late adulthood and end of life development. We will explore ways in which to extend health and wellness in our later years as well as the ideas and stereotypes of ageism. We will look at different points of view on death and dying, and we will look at variances in different cultures and attitudes in regards to end of life.

The longevity of life within the United States population has been on a steady increase as a result of medical science and changing behavior and attitudes toward health (Kurtus, 2005). Changes in lifestyle made at any age can be greatly beneficial to the quality of one's life as it can help to slow down the progression of secondary aging, which refers to the onset of disease (Berger, 2008). Good health should not be taken for granted in later years and unlike people in their twenties, it requires effort and choice (Kurtus, 2005).

Improving one's health in late adulthood can be done in a number ways. The most important process is exercise (Kurtus, 2005). It is common for older adults to have decreased mobility and stamina that deter many from performing routine exercise, but improved mobility and health benefits can be had from even a moderate exercise regimen (Berger, 2008). Physical activity increases heart and respiratory function, slows the loss of muscle strength, increases bone mass, counteract common sleep deficits, aid in digestion, and can help to prevent depression (Kurtus, 2005). Another very important part of one's health is diet. Eating a low fat diet and drinking plenty of water is essential to healthy weight and organ function (Kurtus, 2005). Vitamin supplements can also be very important in preventing vitamin deficiencies later in life. The B vitamins are the most commonly deficient, especially B12, and can cause problems with one's memory function (Berger, 2008). A lot of older adults are on an aspirin regiment for heart health but unfortunately this can lead to a vitamin C deficiency (Berger, 2008). Other issues are that prescribed antibiotics reduce the absorption of iron, calcium, and vitamin K, antacids reduce the body's ability to take in protein, and caffeine reduces the bodies water content, because of this proper use of vitamin supplements is very important (Berger, 2008).

It is also very important in reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, bronchitis, and emphysema that as a person ages they quit smoking. Minimizing alcohol consumption reduces the risk of liver disease and cancers, and stress and anxiety reduction helps to strengthen the immune system as well as decrease disease. A few other important aspects are nurturing is satisfying relationships and continuing to challenge your mind (Kurtus, 2005). Support systems and social relationships help in reducing stress and prevent depression. Learning new skills and being involved in regular mental activity helps to promote cognition and healthy mental function as well (Kurtus, 2005). Improving health and wellness is essential to the enjoyment of the final years of life. Along with the other issues that one faces in late adulthood come prejudice and the ideas surrounding ageism. Ageism is a term used by Robert Neil Butler in 1968 that provides a label for common beliefs about aging that have developed from negative stereotypes (Maugh, 2010). Ageist ideas characterize elderly persons as weak, ill, dependent on others, rigid, lacking energy, grumpy, senile, cranky, and tired (Berger, 2008). The stereotyping of the elderly began centuries ago with phrases like "fuddy-duddy", "granny", "geezer", and "galoot" and have evolved into adages such as "second childhood", "senior moment", "grumpy old man", "old timer", "decrepit", "blue hairs", and "aged" (Berger, 2008).

Ageism and the stereotypes it creates cause older people to often feel patronized, isolated, useless, incapable, and even ignored; that reduces their pride, mental health, activity levels, and social involvement. The ideas involved in these age old theories are often untrue and can be detrimental to a person's self worth and happiness. Our society has already started to work on abolishing such talk but there is still more effort and education needed to undo such a long standing prejudice (Berger, 2008).

Views regarding death and dying in Western Culture are very different depending on what experiences someone has had in dealing with death. Concepts of what death actually means to an individual generally does not develop until one has experienced the death of a loved one. Most young children below the age of nine think of death as a temporary state, and they may even talk of waking a pet or loved one who has passed. From about the age of 10 to early or mid-adulthood most people can conceive the concept of death as permanent