Aspects Of Old Age Research Articles

‘Time to go. Fast not slow’: geronticide and the burden narrative of old age in Margaret Atwood’s ‘Torching the Dusties’

This article argues for the centrality of the intersection of age and space to our understanding of what it means to grow old. It analyses the figure of the nursing home as a space of exclusion that contains the purportedly burdensome aspects of old age in Margaret Atwood’s apocalyptic short story ‘Torching the Dusties’. The story appeared as the closing tale of Atwood’s collection Stone Mattress (2014) and explores the marginalisation of old age and the ageism manifested in spatial segregation from the perspective of literary gerontology. The short story can be read as a ‘burden narrative’ of old age that reveals how a rhetoric of crisis disaffiliates (in discursive and spatial terms) the oldest old from the young, establishing a binary opposition that affects the identity construction of nursing home inmates. It focuses on the intersections of space, time and experience, and thus also on the social, cultural and biological dimensions of ageing.

Starość wkraczaniem w ostatni etap dojrzewania do eschatologii

The article addresses the problem of old age as the final stage of maturing to eschatology and discusses four issues: 1) definitions of old age, 2) the symptoms and framework of old age, 3) the positive and negative dimensions of old age, and 4) eschatology in a senior person's life. The first issue precisely defines the concept of old age in various aspects: the biblical aspect (one's approach to old age changing with the advance of Revelation), the pastoral (granting the Church's pastoral care to senior citizens), social (an aging person may experience a sense of isolation, the escalation of eschatological problems and mental crises, caused, among others, by fear of the future, withdrawal from work and social roles, lower social status, fewer professional contacts), psychological (the rate and image of aging depend on genetics, life experiences and adaptation strategies), pedagogical (three areas of education: 1. preparing for old age addressed to younger generations, 2. during old age, concerning older people, 3. through old age, implemented, usually unintentionally, by elderly people in their environment). In “Symptoms and frameworks of old age,” the second issue, old age is usually described after reaching 60 years of age. The most common symptoms of old age are: weakening of the biological functions of the body and changes in mental abilities and social adaptation, especially in the implementation of social, cultural and spiritual tasks. In addition, this issue is based on Biblical texts, presented in the context of accepting Revelation and different ways of interpreting the length of human life on earth. The “Positive and negative dimension of old age,” the third issue, shows the positive aspects of old age (e.g. satisfaction from going into retirement after hard work, the opportunity to devote more time to one's spouse, raising grandchildren, and re-evaluating various activities) and the negative (e.g. awareness of the end of one’s life, fear of death, loss of close relatives, loss of the feeling that you are needed and useful). It should also be emphasized that these mentioned old age experiences, characteristic of individual elderly people, are not equally experienced by all, because each specific case depends on the family context, the applied system of values, psychological maturity, etc. “Eschatology in the life of a senior person,” the fourth issue, introduces the concept of eschatology in non-Christian religions, in the Holy Bible, in theology, and above all emphasizes the process of shaping eschatology throughout the Church's history and teachings. The essence of eschatology is to turn completely to Christ, and not the temporal waiting for the end of the world and its transformation. There is now a departure from the name “last things” and it is being replaced by a Christological formula: the only “Last Thing” of all creation, present now in the Person of Jesus Christ, and finally fulfilled in eternity, is God.

The Dignity of Old Age

It is important to complement our general account of human dignity with accounts of the specific dignity of particular phases of human life. In this paper I address the dignity of old age--the aspects of elderly life that command our respect. An account of this kind is particularly important for a balanced view of the assisted suicide debate. For even if we favor a right to die, we need also to be able to make sense of the dignity of a life lived to the end without a chosen procedure to bring it to an end. The account given in this paper addresses the approach of death and, for the purposes of dignitarians analysis, ranges around it other aspects of old age, such as wisdom, authority, debilitation, suffering, and issues about self-presentation and personal autonomy.

Aspects démographiques du grand âge en Europe

Tous les pays europeens sont engages dans un processus de vieillissement demographique. Analysant la periode 1980-2040, cet article montre que ce phenomene se pose et se posera demain, en des termes differents selon les pays en raison de la diversite de leur histoire demographique. L’accent est egalement mis sur les inegalites de conditions de mortalite au grand âge qui, notamment, faconnent differemment le contexte conjugal a ce stade de la vie. Toutefois, dans tous les pays c’est la population la plus âgee, ayant atteint ou depasse l’âge de 85 ans, qui augmentera le plus, evolution qui risque de necessiter des ajustements des politiques de prise en charge de la perte d’autonomie. Par-dela ces « certitudes » demographiques, sont evoquees certaines transformations probables du vecu du grand âge liees au renouvellement des generations qui pourraient changer la nature des besoins d’assistance des futures personnes âgees.

ROHINTON MISTRY’S FAMILY MATTERS AS A TEXT OF ‘GERONTOLOGY’

‘Gerontology’ is a term that refers to the scientific study of old age, the process of aging and the special problems of old people. This paper will discuss about the problems of the old man, Nariman Vakeel from the novel Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry. Though the definition focusses on the three aspects of old age namely (i) scientific study (ii) process of aging and the (iii) special problems of old people. Mistry as a literary writer focusses mainly on the last one that is the special problems of old people. Mistry also concentrates on the aging process; the aging refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological and social changes. With these perceptions in his mind he narrates the story of an old man aged 79 affected by Parkinson disease. He faces health problems and because of it, he faces problems with his children, his familial relationship as a father and as a grandfather is spoiled; and that affects him psychologically day by day throughout the novel. This paper aims at suggesting a few solutions to the problems of old age people which may contribute to better understanding of individuals at home and in society.

O starości i jej uciążliwościach w Speculum naturale Wincentego z Beauvais (ok. 1194-1264)

The stages of human life and the corresponding physiological changes have been described in many ways since ancient times. Although old age was characterized by physical and mental weakening (senility), it was portrayed as an age of wisdom which contrasted youth dominated by passions. Vincent of Beauvais devoted a few extensive chapters of Speculum naturale to the last stage of life and cited works of Cicero, Aristotle, Horace, Virgil, St. Jerome, St. Ambrose, Avicenna, Isidore of Seville, which gave him a place in the intellectual tradition of his era. According to him, the advantages of old age were moderation in pleasures, lower libido, wisdom, maturity of advice, common sense and reconciliation to death. The negative aspects of senility were diseases, discouragement and drowsiness. The physical weakness of the body affected the stability of mind. Vincent recognized old age as a natural period in human life and characterized it from the philosophical and medical points of view. He chose those pieces of writings which he considered important and representing different aspects of old age. He advised on nutrition, strengthening of the body and mental energy. Vincent emphasized that old age should be considered as fate. Therefore, there is no reason to fall in despair and wallow in hopelessness, but prepare for death through a wise life.

Postcolonial theory and old age: An explorative essay

In this paper, I will present a reading of senior life through the lens of postcolonial theory. Even while this body of theory is as varied as the life experience summarized under the label “old age”, such a project promises mutually fruitful results. Postcolonialism's preoccupation with positional difference, subalternity and the abiding influence of the hegemon over what it discards as other can be helpful in overcoming the often merely chronological or individualized understanding of the last stages of the life course. At the same time, some of the blind spots of postcolonial thinking, its alleged culturalism, can be amended by a sustained attention to the materiality of senior life. My reading will therefore address postcolonial aspects of old age in terms of concrete locations in the Global South and it will also offer a brief reflection on the theoretical challenges presenting themselves at the intersection of these two theory complexes.

Rethinking Old Age: Theorising the Fourth Age

Rethinking Old Age: Theorising the Fourth Age

Associações entre significados de velhice e bem-estar subjetivo indicado por satisfação em idosos

Resumo Objetivos: Investigar os significados atribuídos por idosos aos conceitos de velhice saudável e de ser feliz na velhice, bem como as associações entre os significados e suas avaliações sobre satisfação global e referenciada a domínios. Método: Esta investigação foi realizada a partir dos dados de um estudo multicêntrico, de corte transversal. As emissões verbais provenientes de amostras representativas de idosos comunitários (N=1.242, com 65 anos e mais), registradas no banco de dados de duas cidades brasileiras, foram submetidas à análise de conteúdo e comparadas com indicadores de satisfação, considerando-se sexo, idade e renda familiar. Resultados: Quatro temas e 14 categorias explicaram os dois conceitos: saúde física e funcionalidade (42,1% das emissões), bem-estar psicológico (25,4%), relações interpessoais (23,5%) e recursos materiais e acesso a serviços de saúde (9,0%). Exceção feita à satisfação e prazer, não foram observadas diferenças quanto às razões de prevalência entre as categorias de significado e pontuação alta em satisfação global. Conclusão: Os dois conceitos suscitaram significados comuns associados a aspectos positivos da velhice e refletiram sobre as avaliações de satisfação, evidenciando que, envelhecer de forma saudável e feliz é mais do que ter saúde, pois envolve também bem-estar psicológico e relações interpessoais.

Social death and the moral identity of the fourth age

The bleaker aspects of old age have been encapsulated in the concept of a fourth age which has been likened to a metaphorical ‘black hole’ where human agency is no longer visible. This paper explores what such a formulation might mean for the moral standing of mentally and physically infirm persons. Does the idea of a fourth age reinforce representations of dementia as a form of social death or does the status of those defined by the moral imperative of care benefit from the narratives and practices of their carers who keep socially alive such persons whatever their degree of dementia? This paper argues that those persons at risk of being enveloped by the fourth age are not inherently deprived of a social life even if it is a social life that their previous self would not have chosen. The moral imperative of care forms a key part element of the fourth age – for both good and ill. Recognising the role of carers in realising or rejecting the fourth age imaginary means also valuing their agency.

Studying dementia: the relevance of the fourth age

Purpose – To better understand the social nature of dementia, it is important to understand its cultural significance and the role that it plays in re-articulating later life. In this new terrain of ageing it may be worth exploring how the idea of the fourth age can help us better understand the nature of dementia and the way in which its cultural role affects both social and health policies. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Gilleard and Higgs (2010) argue that the fourth age now serves as a “cultural imaginary” of the deepest and darkest aspects of old age and that dementia figures prominently in fashioning it. Findings – The scope for exploring dementia as a component of the cultural imaginary of the fourth age has already been demonstrated through the small but growing number of studies that have explored the fear of dementia. Originality/value – An avenue for further exploration is the distinction between a fear of losing one's mind (as in the pre-modern meaning of dementia) and the fear of losing one's place (as in the loss of status associated with dependency). Arguably the former exercises a greater influence than the latter, and raises the question of distinguishing between narratives and practices that sustain the mind of the person with dementia and those that sustain the position of the person with dementia as fellow citizen or fellow countryman or woman.

The intertwining of second couplehood and old age

ABSTRACTSecond couplehood in old age is a growing phenomenon alongside increases in life expectancy. Lately, a shift has occurred in that individual diversity of ageing is perceived to depend on the physical and social contexts in which older persons experience change. Thus, the purpose of the study on which this paper reports was to examine second couplehood in the context of old age and old age in the context of second couplehood using an existential-phenomenological theoretical orientation. Twenty couples were recruited using criterion-sampling: men aged 65+ and women aged 60+, with children and grandchildren from a lifelong marriage that had ended in widowhood or divorce, living in second couplehood – married or not – in separate houses or co-habitating. Forty individual semi-structured interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed according to phenomenological tradition. Five sub-themes emerged, demonstrating couplehood and old age intertwining: (a) enjoying life while still possible; (b) living with health-related issues; (c) relationships with adult children: autonomy versus dependency; (d) loneliness: living as a couple is better than living alone; (e) self-image: feeling young–feeling old. Findings support the existence of positive and negative aspects of old age. Our discussion suggests the need to replace perceptions of old age as either a negative burden or a positive asset towards a period of balancing between gains and losses. Furthermore, we acknowledge the role of second couplehood in older peoples’ wellbeing on the personal–micro level through love, the familial–mezzo level through care-giving and the social–macro level by reducing prejudice.

La dimensión emocional del cuidado en la vejez: la mirada de los adultos mayores

This study shows, from their own perspective, the emotional dimension of men and women aging with illness and dependency. This is a qualitative study with elderly men and women who live in the city and municipality of Durango, Mexico. The data collection techniques were in-depth interviews, participant observation and a personal identification card with socio-demographic data. The results allowed the identification of two types of emotions: dissatisfaction and gratification. Unfortunately, unsatisfactory emotions seem to dominate the life experience of the participants since it is what predominates in the social imagination and in the conversations revolving around this stage of the life cycle. The interaction between the individual and the societal aspects of old age and aging create an emotional stage that determines the actions of older adults. Social Work, together with other disciplines, should reflect from a socio-political stance their participation in changing the perceptions and the negative images of elderly people and promote a new culture of aging.

Czas życia jako paradygmat kultury – starość / Man’s Life as a Cultural Paradigm : Old Age. Stanisław Kołakowski’s Man’s Life (1584) and Jan Protasowicz’s a Mirror of the Old Man (1597)

Summary This article is concerned with the notion of the ages of man’s life seen from the anthropo-logical perspective as a cultural paradigm. It is obvious in all cultures that anybody who has lived a long life has to pass through the stages of childhood, youth, adulthood down to old age. Although these four ages are universally acknowledged, the length of each phase, its relative quality and value are subject to cultural variation. To reconstruct the topoi used to highlight both the more attractive and the negative aspects of old age the article examines the contents of two books from the late 16th century, Stanisław Kołakowski’s Man’s Life (1584) and Jan Protasowicz’s A Mirror of the Old Man (1597). Chief among the benefits peculiar to senectitude is the respect given to the old man’s wisdom, his counsel and advice, the quality of his political leadership; accordingly the senex can function as a paragon of virtues, a holy man who blesses the young generation, a hale old man enjoying his well-earned retirement, and a pious old man preparing for death. This complimentary picture of the rewards of old age is however offset by its accumulating ills and miseries, clumsiness and decrepitude, habitual whinging and complaining, childishness, ill-health, loneliness, naivete, proneness to romantic infatuation and ridicule. All those features that are conditioned by the nature of biological rythms and processes have a permanence about them that makes them constants of the literary descriptions of old age. The culture of the Renaissance was on the whole unfavourably disposed towards senectitude, which is borne out by the two texts analyzed in this article.

Pozycja starców w literaturze Ojców Syryjskich

In this contribution author analyse certain christological and eschatological aspects of old age in writings of the Syriac Church Fathers: Testament of Adam a Christian (pseud­epigraphical work from 3rd century A.D.), Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas (the New Testament apocrypha from 3rd century A.D.), Demonstration on death and the last days of Aphrahat the Persian Sage (4th century A.D.), Hymns of Ephrem the Syrian On Paradise, On Virginity, On the Nativity, and at last one homily from Liber Graduum (a collection of 30 spiritual homelies from 5th century A.D.).

Marital and sexual aspects of old age

Marital and sexual aspects of old age

A Preliminary Study on a Figuration Aspect of Old age and Cultural implications

A Preliminary Study on a Figuration Aspect of Old age and Cultural implications

Sexual and marital aspects of old age: an update

This article purports to give an update on marital and sexual aspects of life in old age. The article aims to provide an updated review of the literature on the subject, spanning a period of more than 10 years from 1995 to today. It needs to be underscored, first and foremost, that many of the findings reviewed in the previous article (Trudel, Turgeon, & Piché, 2000) have since been confirmed. The article also looks at aspects not covered in the previous one, including marital satisfaction after retirement, impact of marital and sexual satisfaction on quality of life and the effects of new sex drugs, whose use at this stage in life has grown since the 1990s.

IPA survey of brief cognitive screening instruments

Cognitive screening is a "first step" in detecting dementia and other neuropsychiatric syndromes and hence represents an important public health and clinical initiative. A plethora of cognitive screening instruments has been advocated in recent years, but the extent to which these instruments are used or their effectiveness is not well known. An International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) survey was designed to determine which cognitive screening instruments were used most frequently by clinicians with special expertise in the neuropsychiatric aspects of old age and also to determine the ones considered most useful by these specialists. Under the auspices of the IPA, the survey was mailed in the fall of 2004 to all IPA members as well as members of the American and Canadian Associations of Geriatric Psychiatry. The survey inquired about demographic information, the frequency of use of cognitive screening instruments, and the value attributed to the cognitive screening instruments. Participants also had an opportunity to provide written commentary. A total of 334 completed surveys were processed. The majority of respondents were geriatric psychiatrists (58%). Of the 20 different instruments that were listed on the survey, only six were selected as "routinely" or "often used" by the survey respondents. These instruments in declining order were: (1) the Folstein Mini-mental State Examination; (2) the Clock Drawing Test; (3) Delayed Word Recall; (4) the Verbal Fluency Test; (5) Similarities; and (6) the Trail Making Test. "Effectiveness" and "ease of administration" were the test characteristics most highly predictive of frequency of use. Open-ended comments highlighted patient factors that continue to provide challenges, including ethnicity/culture, language, education/literacy, and sensory impairment. Respondents concluded that "no single test is adequate." Psychogeriatricians worldwide routinely use a relatively small number of brief cognitive screening instruments. Further evaluation is necessary as the need increases for cognitive screening guidelines that inform public health initiatives related to dementia and neuropsychiatric syndromes.

Population Trends and Problems of Public Health

The scope and emphasis of a public health program are necessarily influenced by the changing characteristics of the population it serves. The rate of population growth affects long-range planning of community health and medical facilities. Alterations in age composition, internal migration of racial or industrial groups, changes in population density and urban-rural movement require current adaptation of the health program to solve the new problems thus created. Among the various characteristics of recent population trends, aging of the population is one of the most fundamental in its bearing on national health. The social and economic effects of an aging population have long been recognized. Dr. Louis I. Dublin appraised the problem of old age in some detail in 1926, when the provision of economic security for the aged was the dominant theme of contemporary discussion.1 The passage of the Social Security Act in 1935 represented the fruits of the efforts of this early period. Adjustment of national policy with respect to the health problems associated with aging of the population has been slower in development. Under the terms of the Social Security Act, a limited expansion of activities designed to promote the health of older adults—control of cancer and pneumonia, and industrial hygiene services—has been made possible in the cooperating States. However, the Act makes no provision for the solution of such fundamental problems as invalidity insurance and medical care of the aged. During the past five years, the health aspects of old age have received increasing attention in the discussions of public health administrators. It therefore seems appropriate to resurvey this general problem, and to consider, in particular, the nature of future trends in mortality, morbidity, and the receipt of medical care which may be expected solely as a result of changing age structure of the population.