Aging may seem unfair to many, but it doesn't have to be. With the declining birth rate and increasing life expectancy of the population, concern for the quality of life of people over 60 has become essential. (According to the WHO – World Health Organization – a person over 60 years old is considered elderly.) But how can one maintain a satisfying and healthy life, and how can one make old age a happy period of life?
Among health professionals, there is a growing demand for techniques and knowledge about human development in this phase of life. The search for factors that contribute to successful aging, both physically and intellectually, has yielded good results in the fields of gerontology and the psychology of aging. Looking at the social role and independence of the elderly in this process seems to be as important as addressing physical losses and the aging of the body.
The retirement period is one of the events that can seriously affect the lives of elderly people. Although it may sound like the "well-deserved rest after so many years of contributing to society," the increased likelihood of depression during this period indicates that there is more happening in the lives of these individuals than just "rest." When a person retires, their entire routine and social structure tend to change. The loss of social contact with colleagues, the feeling of social "uselessness," the lack of goals, and the inability to adapt to modern values and concepts are risk factors for the loss of social identity and independence during old age, contributing to depression and stress.
According to Skinner & Vaughan (1985), becoming elderly is "like moving to another country." It is necessary for the individual to prepare for the change during maturity, to have healthy lifestyle habits, to maintain cognitive capacity, and, above all, to know the "foreign land" to which they will go in the future. Staying updated with news, technology, and modern concepts is a means of maintaining the independence of the elderly. Having access to the internet, new means of communication, social networks, using the bank's ATM, and conversing with people of all ages is essential for those who want to maintain their autonomy and participation in society. Being part of a social group and being part of a network of people whose interests and values are compatible has a very positive impact on the self-esteem and self-confidence of the elderly and substantially increases their quality of life.
In addition to autonomy and independence, another factor that can affect the well-being of the elderly is the lack of acceptance of their own condition. The aging body loses muscle strength, the senses are affected, and memory may be compromised. When looking in the mirror, wrinkles and signs of aging are the portrait of the passage of time, and the elderly may not accept this reality. It is necessary that during this period, the aging of the body is perceived positively as a natural condition, a part of the human development process. Rejecting old age, trying at all costs to appear young, and succumbing to the cult of youth often lead the elderly to low self-esteem and depression. Therefore, it is important to create space for the beauty and contemplation of this stage of life. The elderly should be valued as they are, and the beauty industry seems to have yet to recognize this niche.
There is still a vast unexplored field regarding the specific aspects and factors for well-being in the third stage of human development. The area is open to researchers, and recently, the introduction of gerontology as a new field of knowledge, with undergraduate courses and specializations available, has emerged. Looking to the future means knowing how life continues its course and, even more so, how to make this a happy and successful journey.
References:
Skinner, B.F.; & Vaughan, M.E. (1985). Live Well in Old Age: Learning to Plan Your Life. São Paulo: Editora Summus.
Campana, G.A.; Oplustil, C.P.; & Faro, L.B. (2011). Trends in Laboratory Medicine. J. Bras. Patol. Med. Lab., 47(4). Available at: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1676-24442011000400003&script=sci_arttext
Reading Recommendations:
Batini, E.; Maciel, E.M.; & Finato, M.S.S. (2006). Identification of Variables Affecting Aging: Behavioral Analysis of a Clinical Case. Estudos de Psicologia: Campinas, 23(4). 455-462. Available at: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/estpsi/v23n4/v23n4a13.pdf
Teixeira, I.N.A.O, & Neri, A.L. (2008). Successful Aging: A Goal in the Course of Life. Psicologia USP, 19(1). Available at: http://www.revistasusp.sibi.usp.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1678-51772008000100010&lng=en&nrm=is
