The Concept of Old Age

The Changing Concept of Old Age

Older adults are shifting their preferences and are no longer finding it appropriate to live in nursing homes but stay in their homes, in adult communities, or in assisted living facilities. These changes have effects on the old. By having their wishes granted, the old are aging in conditions of their liking and this improves their quality of life. Nikmat, Al-Mashoor, and Hashim (2015) observe that among old people, especially if they have cognitive impairment, the quality of life for those under home care was better compared to those living in institutional care. Nikmat, Al-Mashoor, and Hashim (2015) found that for the old who are under home care, social connectedness, depression, and cognitive functions remained within healthy limits. To other Americans, the perception of growing old has shifted from a labored concept to a more relatable one since they can see the old in their neighborhoods. The old are seen as people with options and this makes the concept of growing old more acceptable.

A Review of Erickson’s Assertions on Old Age

Growing old is inevitable as long as one continues to live. Erickson’s assertions about old age are true. Old age is the phase in life where one takes stock of the life they have lived especially because nothing much can be done to change the past. A person in the last stage of life, according to Dunkel and Harbke (2017), can pursue either sorrow or integrity. Sorrow is a result of unachieved goals and ambitions or simply a life that has been lived inappropriately. Integrity arises if the person in question is able to articulate success and satisfaction with the life they have lived.

References

Dunkel, C. S., & Harbke, C. (2017). A review of measures of Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development: Evidence for a general factor. Journal of Adult Development, 24(1), 58-76.

Nikmat, A. W., Al-Mashoor, S. H., & Hashim, N. A. (2015). Quality of life in people with cognitive impairment: Nursing homes versus home care. International Psychogeriatrics, 27(5), 815-824.