Older adults deserve better in society

Abstract

This article provides a developmental perspective of late life, a time of growth in some areas and decline in others. In contrast to younger adults, who go through a process of expansion, productivity, and mastery, older adults increasingly experience reduced rather than expanded choices and capabilities, including many losses and a heightened awareness of death. However, they have distinct opportunities to sustain a balanced relational involve- ment (including interpersonal and group attachment), grow as a person, and achieve a sense of self-continuity and ego-integrity. This article aims to encourage healthcare professionals (including attachment-based and relational psychotherapists), and the public by and large, to reflect upon and overcome their own internalised prejudices towards old age, as well as to become more familiar with the developmental tasks of this stage in the life cycle, including life review processes. It also aims to inspire older adults to live as healthily as possible all the way to the very end.