Human lifespan undergoes various stages which have specific features and challenges. Late adulthood is an age group where issues are encountered most, where everything else is on decline except for the age in numbers. More than physical concerns late adulthood is troubled due to psychological reasons.
Deteriorating Eyesight, hearing power, stamina, dentures and other health issues like Blood Pressure, diabetes, varicose veins, osteoporosis, cardiac conditions are major trepidations. Along with all these co-morbidities elderly people become extremely rigid and inflexible in their temperament too. For someone who has worked and given instructions to people or handled some important job role during active career years, this feeling of not contributing or not worthy can be quite damaging physically and mentally as well.
It is a good idea to give certain responsibilities of the household to elderly which they can take care with ease and comfort. This would make them feel important part of the family. Let them make decisions like what is to be cooked for meals, involve them while deciding gifts and presents to be given to friends and relatives. This will make them happy and valued. Encourage them to have creative hobbies like gardening, knitting, making reels etc. Introduce them to offline and digital games like Sudoku, solitaire and word building which will keep their minds sharp and agile.
Elderly people who live away from their children or on their own are at greater risk of falling prey to psychological issues. They must have likeminded friends and socialize with them at least once a week. Regularly going out and meeting other people can reduce the incidents of anxiety and depression out of loneliness. It can be scary, to constantly lose your power and vitality, this can make anyone go crazy but if we accept this as a natural process and adjust our lifestyles accordingly this stage can also be lived with better health and happiness.
Aging is a normal progression and if taken in right perspective and spirit, one can derive a certain amount of contentment even during late adulthood years. Another challenge faced are losing a spouse, or terminal illness of one of the partners. It is easier said than done but in my opinion, senior couples should discuss these scenarios and prepare each other for the worst outcome. This might help in diminishing the force of the blow when time comes. We fear most the unknown but if we prepare ourselves and our loved ones for that unknown, it makes life less-harder when we reach the point to cross those bridges. Suffering and death are inevitable part of aging and life, sooner we learn to accept and deal with this fact, it will make the journey easier.
Indu Bhargava has almost 23 years of professional experience in the field of training, counseling, education, journalism, and corporate communications.