Late Adulthood and the End of Life

Running head: LATE ADULTHOOD AND THE END OF LIFE

Late Adulthood and the End of Life Paper

Jan George

June 25, 2012

PSY/375

Abstract

Late Adulthood and End of Life Paper

In every part of a human beings lifespan, an person exploit many essential adjustments both fleshly and cognitively. The stage of the life stage that is more complicated is the reality stage as the human enters the late adulthood. Everyone has a chance at youth are given a experience of youthful living with lots of energy, and as time progress the youthful living is steadily withdrawing away. The Asian culture, considers the elderly are with reverence and assistance, and in other cultures, the elderly are thought of as a strain and is given little reverence and awful attention. In perceiving the perceptions of death and dying it differs from culture to culture. As a result on the late adulthood and the end of life., and this paper will supply information on the areas of concern during these life stages such as health and wellness, stereotypes associated with late adulthood, and cultural view of death and dying.

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Late Adulthood and the End of Life Paper

Late Adulthood and mitigate the negative effects of aging

Late adulthood is viewed as the final stage of life; it begins around the age of 65 until death. Lastly exploring death and dying can be better received and better understanding with unfamiliar (Berger, 2008). Even though genetics play a significant role in the quality of life during these final years, individuals who modify destructive lifestyles and embark on healthier options will experience an improvement in their health and sense of wellbeing (Berger, 2008). During this stage of adulthood, older adults remain socially active and independent rather than subjecting themselves to isolation and withdrawal (Berger, 2008)

Ageism and Stereotypes

In American culture, late adulthood is fraught with stereotypes and the negative perceptions of older adults (Busse, 1968). Even though some stereotypes are entirely in fun, others maintain a negative portrayal of impotency and incompetency (Nuessel, 1983). Butler (1969) calls the use of negative bias against older adults ageism. Ageism and negative stereotypes threaten the elderly with cognitive decline directly rooted in the aging individual's surrounding social context. According to Berger (2008), societal and cultural attitudes toward the elderly have powerful and significant effects on their self-identification, sense of importance, and self-confidence.

Lack of confidence impairs memory, and negative expectations and responses can affect the cognition of aging adults. It is imperative for their health and wellbeing to avoid stereotypes and attitudes that reflect negative beliefs and biases toward the abilities of this age group.

Ageism makes the elderly appear less intelligent than they are, to the detriment of their cognitive abilities (Berger, 2008). When aging adults have fears rooted in stereotypes, there is a possibility that these fears will undermine normal thinking (Berger, 2008).

Death and Dying

Early Childhood

Death at any stage in life is personal and holds different meanings to different people. Society places a great deal of meaning on death based upon age, situation, and their personal experiences and beliefs. The viewpoints of death and dying in early childhood are limited; however, children have a basic understanding of death by the age of two through their own observations of family members (Berger, 2008). Children who are dying often fear death this is due to how they do not have