Adults in the last stage of life often prefer to
spend time doing favorite activities and socializing with those who are close
to them. By this stage, most adults are retired and living a life that can
become complicated by new choices such as type of living arrangements or loss
of freedoms (e.g., driving). The following questions will also address some issues that can occur at this stage of development. These include choice of living arrangements, becoming bitter when facing death and what to do if they experience bereavement.
Why would an older adult choose to
live in the same house that she has occupied for most of her adult life, rather
than moving into a smaller apartment?
Although, there are many theories
that try to explain why an older adult may choose this option, I would explain
it via a stage in Erikson’s Theory called “Ego Integrity versus Despair.”
According to (Berk. 2010. p. 604), this “involves coming to terms with one’s
life. Adults who arrive at a sense of integrity feel whole, complete, and
satisfied with their achievements.”
This may also explain why some older
adults will choose to live in the same house versus moving into a smaller
apartment. If these individuals develop a sense of ego integrity they may feel
a sense of pride and accomplishment that is associated with the house. This is because
it could be where their positive memories are based, along with feelings of
satisfaction with community, neighbors, and where they may have raised their
children. Therefore, at this stage in life, these individuals will want to hold
on to these feelings of contentment that are valued, versus starting over to
build new ones.
However, some individuals could also
choose to live in the same house if feelings of despair develop, which is the
opposite stage of ego integrity. The main reason that this sense of self could
develop is discussed in the next section, however; if individuals choose to
live in the same house, it may be due to the notion that there is not
sufficient time to positively change the outcome of their lives.
Why
do some adults become bitter as they face death while others
remain positive and active?
According to Erikson’s Theory, older
adults may feel bitterness, hopelessness, and defeated, when they experience a
sense of despair versus ego integrity. This outcome also occurs when they
believe that they have made several wrong decisions and/or choices in life, but
there isn’t enough time to do those things that may initiate a sense of ego
integrity. If this occurs, these individuals may also expose this negative
sense of self through anger and/or contempt toward others, and experience an
overall sense of bereavement and/or grief when analyzing who and what they’ve
become in life.
How would I address bereavement with older adults?
If I was going
to help older adults that are experiencing bereavement which is due to feeling
despair, the first thing that I would do is create a treatment plan that may
initiate and/or develop a sense of ego integrity. This could also be accomplished by utilizing “Positive
Psychology.” According to (Positive Psychology Center Online. 2007. p.
1), “this is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that
enable individuals and communities to thrive.” This type of approach also
supports a core belief that people want to lead fulfilled lives that have meaning.
Therefore, when using this approach to treat these clients, I may reveal and/or
uncover positive strengths that are hidden. Clients may then foster these
positive qualities while also using them as tools to develop a higher level of
growth and overall potential. Exposing one’s potential and strengths is also
important because it may teach these individuals that they do have purpose
and/or meaning and they did offer positive contributions throughout their
lives. Therefore, this may help these clients eradicate some of their internal
weaknesses and/or negative, destructive thoughts, by replacing them with
positive ones.
One example of this could also be as follows: I am
treating a 75 year old man who is experiencing despair versus ego integrity. One
main thing that I would do to use positive psychology is have him write down
every good thing that he has accomplished. If he can’t think of many, I could
ask him to contact loved ones to inquire about one way that he helped or
improved their lives. After he reviews the final notes that he acquires, I’m
confident that this client will be able to see that his life did have value and
meaning. Once this occurs, I also believe that this may naturally instill a
higher level of self-satisfaction and overall integrity.
Reference:
Positive Psychology Center Online (2007) University of
Pennsylvania. Retrieved via the World Wide
Web on June 16 2012 at http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/index.html
