In some cultures, achieving old age is a cause for congratulations, where older people are respected for their wisdom and experience but, for most people living in a western culture, old age tends to conjure up negative images of wrinkles, senility and social isolation. In many cases, less care and respect is shown to the aged, because youth and vigour are valued, rather than wisdom and experience.
However, the reality for a many people in their 60’s and 70’s today is that they still have good health and some finally have the time and money to pursue their goals and dreams. They are in better health than their own parents at this stage because they were brought up with a National Health Service, immunisations and employment which was not physically draining. Many older adults however, do still live in poverty and this seriously affects their physical and mental health and opportunities for further development.
Physically, it would seem that older people can do most of the things that younger people can do but do them more slowly and for shorter periods of time. The biological ageing process brings about many bodily changes. For instance, the skin wrinkles as the skin cells gradually lose their elasticity, the hair becomes grey, thins and baldness may occur. This is largely genetically determined and happens at different ages in different people. Muscles tend to become less elastic and diminished tone may result in tiredness and decreased physical strength. Vision and hearing become less sensitive with age and this deterioration is cumulative and begins early in life. Sensitivity to taste, touch, smell and balance also deteriorate with age.
Remember that if these changes occur gradually, they cause much less stress than sudden losses.
Emotionally, the older adult has an identity may be rooted in the past and has been shaped by life events. The attitude of others towards older people is important. If older people are not valued, they might perceive themselves as worthless and not able to contribute as much to life as they were previously able. Loss can be experienced at any age but is often associated with older adulthood. Losses experienced can include retirement, bereavement, mobility, and ability. Healthy development at any stage includes adjustment to loss and adapting to change.
Sometimes older adults can use the opportunities provided by no longer working or having a family to care for, to fulfil some of their ambitions. Some older adults learn a language, take a parachute jump, go on a long holiday or volunteer. Now they have the time and energy, they get a sense of achievement from ‘putting something back into the community’. This is not always the case however as sometimes poor health or loneliness can impact significantly on a person’s life and as they get older their physical and mental health can deteriorate at an alarming rate.
Cognitively, brain and nerve cells decline from birth. The aged brain weighs less, but cognitive function is not likely to be seriously impaired before 70–75 years. By the age of 80 about 20–30 per cent of people are found to have some symptoms of brain disease. This deterioration is, however, the result of disease and is not an inevitable consequence of the ageing process. It is important to remember that despite the challenges that sometimes come with moving into later life, older adults are capable of learning new tasks such as learning computer skills, and they are able to cope with problem solving in their daily lives.
The following film shows an example of how some people have found some greater meaning in later life.
