Late Adulthood and Death: The Final Chapter in One’s

Lifespan
Psy/280
Jeff Hoover
September 6, 2016

Late Adulthood and Death: The Final Chapter in One’s

Lifespan
Late in the 1970’s, there was a hair color commercial
whose slogan was, “You are not getting older, you are
getting better.” For those entering late adulthood (ages 65
and older) there can be truth in that claim. Late adulthood
can be a time of reaping all your hard work from the years
gone by. It can be a time of good health and freedom to
enjoy the relationships you have established. However, as
with any stage of life, there are challenges. Coming to
terms with life nearing the end is often difficult to accept.
Also, in spite of possibly being one of the fortunate to
experience good health, the fact is, a decline in physical
and cognitive abilities is still occurring.

There are also other challenges not originating within

oneself that older adults often have to cope. One of them is
ageism -prejudice and discrimination based solely on
chronological age. (Berger, 2010, p. 497).

Ageism can occur in many forms. A common example of

an ageism is elderspeak (Berger, 2010, p. 498), a way of
speaking to older adults in patronizing tones, also known
as baby talk. Elderspeak should not be taken lightly. It can
create self-doubt in the older person which ultimately
weakens his or her self-esteem, which has been linked to
the acceleration of senility and even death/premature
decline (Berger, p. 498)(Bugental & Hehman, 2007) (p.
498).
Other stereotypes might include that older adults are slow,
not only in movement but in thinking; or they are not as
smart as younger people or they can't learn, like in the
expression, “You can't teach an old dog new tricks.”
Although there is some cognitive slowing in terms of being
able to assimilate new information, older adults are
storehouses for already accumulated facts.
Another example of agiesm is a widely held perception
that most older people are not interested in sex or sexually
capable. However, studies show that many older adults
lead active sex lives. According to researcher Zoe Hyde
(2010) of the Western Australian Centre for Health and
Ageing in Crawley, Australia, “even in the tenth decade,
one in five men still considered sex to be an important part
of their life,” (para. 3).
 POOL OF IDEAS

In late adulthood (ages 65 and older) many people face

challenges, such as decline in physical and cognitive
abilities. There are others, but the most insidious is
ageism/

These challenges that older adults have to face aren't the

only ones. Older adults also often have to cope with ageism

But the truth is that only about six to eight percent of

adults over age 65 have dementia, and only about one-
third of adults over 85 have it. While there is a slight
decline in some types of thinking skills, there is an
increase in other types, so many older adults are able to
think in different, but not necessarily inferior, ways.
(studymode.com)

This stereotype is false. It arises from ageism, the

tendency to categorize and judge people solely on the basis
of their chronological age. “Ageism is a social disease,
much like racism and sexism” in that it considers people as
part of a category and not as individuals, creating
“needless fear, waste, illness, and misery” (Palmore,2005,
p. 90). (p. 497)
The “typical” old person is often viewed as uninterested in
(and incapable of ) sex, on the road to (if not arrived at)
senility, conservative and rigid. The stereotype
would have us believe that old people are tired and cranky,
passive, without (p. 497) energy, weak, and dependent on
others. [Schaie & Willis, 1996, p. 17](p. 497)

As people age, they often have to confront stereotypes that

others hold about late life, and some that they themselves
hold about older adults. (studymode.com).

During that time, many people face changes with aging.

But the changes that people go through during late
adulthood aren't the only challenges they face. They also
often have to deal with stereotypes, or a widely held
belief about a group of people. Let's look closer at some of
the stereotypes of aging and the truth about late adulthood
(studymode.com).

Ageism and Elderspeak

Remember Liv? She was let go from her job because of her
age. This is an example of ageism, which is discrimination
against people of older age.

Another common example of an ageist activity is

elderspeak, or the tendency to speak in baby talk to older
adults. Elderspeak is especially common towards adults
living in nursing homes and can feel very demeaning to the
older adults at whom it is directed. Some studies have
linked elderspeak with negative stereotypes and negative
treatment of adults in late adulthood, and there's no
reason to talk to older adults any differently than you
would talk to any adult.

Stereotypes about older adults are cultural. For example,

in some Eastern cultures, particularly ones that rely on
agriculture, older adults are seen as the pinnacle of society.
They are revered for their wisdom. Of course, not all older
adults are wise, so this is an example of a positive
stereotype.

But ageism, including elderspeak, commonly emerges

from negative stereotypes held in the United States and
other Western, industrialized nations. These stereotypes
might include that older adults are stupid or have lost their
ability to think like younger adults.

Physical and Mental Decline

In fact, there are many negative stereotypes about the
decline associated with old age. They often involve the idea
that all old people will get dementia and lose their
memories, or the idea that older adults can't learn, like in
the expression 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks.'
Take Liv's situation at work. The ageism she experienced
was based on the idea that older people aren't as smart or
capable as younger people. But is that a true stereotype?
As we said, many people believe that most, or even all,
older adults will end up with dementia, which is a loss of
But the truth is that only about six to eight percent of
adults over age 65 have dementia, and only about 1/3 of
adults over 85 have it. While there is a slight decline in
some types of thinking skills, there is an increase in other
types, so many older adults are able to think in different,
but not necessarily inferior, ways.(studymode.com)

Get fat with age; lose their mobility

Promoting Health and Wellness into Late

Adulthood

Ageism and Stereotypes Associated with Late

Adulthood

In American culture, late adulthood is fraught with

stereotypes and the negative perceptions of older
adults (Busse, 1968). Although some stereotypes are
purely in jest, 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.

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). 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 (psychological
musings/debra stone)
In general, the young-old are aged 60 to 75, the old-
old are aged 75 to 85, and the oldest-old are 85 and
over (p. 499).

Because of the rise in life expectancy, the number of the

older adults is increasing.

lifestyles that they lead determine much on their old age

life. The social context will affect the older adults since
they need to feel as part of the society they live in but not
as a burden to the people around them.
As one nears the end of life, they develop the desire to
prolong their life. This is because of the fear of death and
thus people need social support at this time when they feel
that they have approached the end of their lives. Thus, the
older adults need to interact with other people and not
only those of their age. According to Hagestad & Dannefer
(2001), people regardless of their age will have a narrowed
life perspective if their interactions are only with those of
their age. Therefore, the older adults if left on their own for
example by being segregated from the rest of the society
will have more fears towards death. It is important thus
that they relate with other people of different ages in the
society. This way, they will most probably see the
possibility of their lives being prolonged. It is through
interactions with other members of the society that they
will involve their minds in other activities other than the
thought of death.
Social interactions and relationships also increase ones
activity. When one is active, they will be happy and thus
boosting their health. This then results to increased
satisfaction as well as lengthening of life. Relationships
can also be viewed from the perspective of husband and
wife. Where spouses manage to get to old age together,
chances are high that they will be happier and healthier
than those of the same age who do not have partners.
Therefore, with this happiness that they share in their
marriage relationships, the fears of death will be
minimized and they will have the hopes of living even
longer.

In late adulthood, cultural and personal attitudes help in

maintaining a sense of identity and dignity. Further, they
also help in the enhancement of relationships, give a
clarification of the life of an individual and its meaning
and finally preparing one for death. The way in which
people age is dependent on factors of personality and this
also affects the ways in which they die. Personal attitudes
for example accepting that one is aging and not despairing
in life determine the dignity of the life that one lives in
their old age. If the older adults accept that aging is a
natural process that people go through and not despair
because of their age, then they would lead a dignified life.
Failure to accept this and despairing means that the
elderly live in denial, something that can bring them stress
and thus fasten their deaths.
Cultural attitudes also determine dignity in late adulthood.
In cultures where older adults are allowed to go on
engaging in activities that the society values, they will have
a good aging. This is because they will maintain the
activities, interactions and interests that they previously
involved in. This way, their happiness will be enhanced
since involvement brings satisfaction and happiness.
Dignity in life can be measured by the level of satisfaction
and happiness and thus these activities which bring
happiness also enable the elderly to lead a life of dignity
which associates with ones well being.
(BUSINESSCUSTOMWRITING.COM)
References