I would like to start with the words Megan Chao (1998): “For many centuries, discovering the fountain of youth has been just a dream for humans. Aging is an inevitable process in human life, the result of a highly variable biological cycle. (p.1) Nevertheless aging people continue living full of life, continue working and changing conditions of their lives to the better side. Czaja and Moen (2004) predicted “by 2010 the number of workers age 55+ will be about 26 million, a 46 percent increase since 2000, and by 2025 this number will increase to approximately 33 million.”(p. 150). And Waite and Pliewes (2002) in their work were thinking about “how individuals and societies experience and respond to aging is deeply influenced by the contexts in which that experience occurs. Individual and collective experiences, behaviors, and decisions are shaped by social contexts.” (p 14) Aging people should be surrounded by relatives and friends because the loneliness in this period is really harmful. It was discovered that aging people have complex health problems. They are changing in mental and physical structures, sex dysfunction and depressions. These reasons can cause suicide rates. Stern and Carstensen (2002) wrote about next: “in contrast to the popular notion that mental decline with age is inevitable, progressive, and general, research presents a more complex picture.”(p. 37)Blazer, Yaffe, and Liverman (2015) pay great attention to the cognitive development. “Cognitive aging can affect judgment in a wide variety of situations, from choosing when to make a left turn while driving a car through a busy intersection to deciding whether a new investment is a wise choice or a financial scam to determining the best way to take care of one’s health.” (227)On the other hand Finch, Vaupel, Kinsella were discussing about demography: “While demographic research once concentrated on mortality, as noted above, many additional indicators of health status are now included in demographic analyses.” (p. 11)The main thought of all researching in aging area is described by authors of brochure (1998): “Armed with the facts about the myths and realities surrounding aging, society can better prepare itself to assist its older population, as can individual families”
Interviews
Interviewer: “What is one of the most stressful events you’ve ever had to deal with?”Inna, 65 years: “One of the most stressful events they’ve ever had to deal with is my divorce. I had being married for almost 25 years when I discovered that my husband had cheated on me. I could not live with him anymore. I even did not want to see him. But we have three children: two sons and a daughter and my sons support him so I have to face with my ex-husband every common celebration of grandchildren birthdays. I cannot deal with this stress by myself. I even do not know what to do.”Victor, 67 years: “One of the most stressful events they’ve ever had to deal with is changing the job. During my youth I was a military pilot. I enjoyed my life. My family was waiting me at home, my co-workers were respectable friends and everything seemed to be perfect. But at the age of 46 I had to leave my job because of health problems. So I was a middle-aged man without job and without any special skills. I have never done anything besides flights. But I had a wife and children so I started looking for new job. I became a security guard of the Industrial Institute and made my career at that place. I am still working there.Pyotr, 93 years: “You know the most stressful events they’ve ever had to deal with is death of my lovely wife. It was twenty years ago. She got ill and went to the Heaven. We had been living a long nice life together and I did not know what would do without her. Fortunately I have a big family and my daughter, granddaughters and great-grandchildren do not allow me to feel loneliness.Interviewer: What aspects of getting older (since age 55 or so) have been stressful?Inna: “When you are getting older the life changes. Your children also become older and they don't need you anymore. At the age of 57 I became a pensioner and left my job. I did not earn money and I got so much free time that I did not know what to do with it. Understanding that nobody needs you, and you have not enough money for your life is stressful aspects of getting older for me. I try to find some kinds of activity to make my life more interesting such as knitting, swimming, walking, and playing with my grandchildren. It makes my life happier. ”Victor: “Loosing health is the most stressful aspect of getting older for me. I want to live happy life but I feel that I am not that man I was before. I cannot play football and my back often hurts. I take some kind of medicine and I feel better. Also, I feel that I have not done everything I wanted, but I have not necessary opportunities for it nowadays.Pyotr: “Loosing health and loosing friends who go to another world – these things both are very stressful for me. I am happy that I am still alive but deaths of other people disappointed me. I lose my friends and understand that everything has its own end. I am grateful to my family for being closer. They help me to avoid sadness and loneness.”
References:
Blazer Dan G., Yaffe Kristine and Liverman Catharyn T. (2015) Cognitive Aging:
Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action, Washington, D.C. Editors: the national academic press
Brochure/Pamphlet (1998) Older Adults' Health and Age-Related Changes,
American Psychological Association, Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/older.aspx
Finch Galeb E., Vaupel James W. and Kinsella Kevin (2001) Should Biological Measures
Be Included in Social Science Research, Washington, D.C. Editors: the national academic press
Pew Richard W. and Van Hemel Susan B (2004)
Technology for Adaptive Aging, Washington, D.C Editors: the national academic press
Stern Paul C. and Carstensen Laura L. (2002) The Aging Mind: Opportunities in
Cognitive Research, Washington, D.C Editors: the national academic press
The Future of Human Health span: Demography, Evolution, Medicine, and Bioengineering, Washington, D.C Editors: the national academic press
Waite Linda J. and Piewes Thomas J. (2013) New Directions in the Sociology
of Aging, Washington, D.C. Editors: the national academic press
