Late adulthood usually begins at about age 65. Late adulthood is a time in an adults life that he or she may find meaning and satisfaction in life instead of becoming bitter and disillusioned. According to Houghton, Mifflin and Harcourt (2014), it has been estimated that by the year 2030, Americans over 65 will make up 20% of the population. Many older people are happy and engaged in a variety of activities. As a person in late adulthood gets closer to the end of life, he or she may desire to prolong their life.The reason for prolonging life is the fear of death some may have. They may need social support during this time when they feel they have came to the end of their lives. Ageism and Stereotypes Ageism is when prejudice or discrimination
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When aging adults have fears of stereotypes, there may be the possibility that the fears will undermine normal thinking. Not having much confidence could impair their memory, causing negative expectations and responses. Avoiding stereotypes and attitdes that refelct negative beliefs and bias towards this age group is important to their health and wellbeing.
Even though some stereotypes are purely in jest, there are those that maintain a negative portrayal of impotency and incompetency. Ageism and negative stereotypes threaten the elderly with cognitive decline directly rooted in the aging individual 's surrounding social context. Society and cultural attitudes toward the elderly have significant effects on their self-identification, sense of importance, and self-confidence. Health and …show more content…
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. Personal Attitudes 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.
When aging adults have fears of stereotypes, there may be the possibility that the fears will undermine normal thinking. Not having much confidence could impair their memory, causing negative expectations and responses. Avoiding stereotypes and attitdes that refelct negative beliefs and bias towards this age group is important to their health and wellbeing.
Even though some stereotypes are purely in jest, there are those that maintain a negative portrayal of impotency and incompetency. Ageism and negative stereotypes threaten the elderly with cognitive decline directly rooted in the aging individual 's surrounding social context. Society and cultural attitudes toward the elderly have significant effects on their self-identification, sense of importance, and self-confidence. Health and …show more content…
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. Personal Attitudes 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.