The Inevitable Passage (Written for Class)

Introduction
In this stage of life, Biological, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Development are noted as physical, educational, emotional, and personality changes that individuals experience after the age of sixty-five. On the following pages, we shall discuss these different areas, and provide examples to show how the ageing adult develops through their later years, how they cope with such changes and how these changes impacts the lives of those who love them. By the end of this document, one should be able to provide a simple description of this process with little to no difficulty.
Biological Development
“Overview”
In an age where the human species lives thirty years longer than they once did, biological development beyond age sixty-five becomes a “strive to survive” situation. New development does not take on positive forms by it’s self. However, despite societies negative views on aging, individuals over the age of sixty-five are not senile, frail, or isolated. Their brain may become physically smaller, and process slower (Anneberg, 2007) but, with positive adjustments individuals can and will lead happy, healthy and productive lives for many years to come (Berger, 2005). Basically, we can only enhance what we already have through proper diet, exercise, and medical care (Berger, 2005). This can slow the aging process but requires dedication and is enhanced and limited by a multitude of variables.
Positively speaking, individuals who stop or do not smoke and/or improve diet have a better chance of escaping heart disease, and strokes. Exercise and other physical activities in moderation not only provides ways to stay busy, but also relieves symptoms of some ailments while preventing others from occurring; specifically diabetes and cancer. Regular medical check-ups can provide early detection and in some cases help to eliminate long-term effects of certain medical problems. (Special notes include; use of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin, or Ibuprofen helps maintain blood circulation and brain functioning (Berger, 2005).)
On a negative note, older individuals face other medical conditions. Some of these conditions are vision and hearing related, as sensory organs naturally weaken. While others involve more severe issues with the heart; such as heart disease. Of course some of these medical problems have yet to meet a cure; such as Alzheimer’s (Berger, 2005).
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia and is associated with the ageing process. This disease slows and ultimately destroys normal brain functioning. This horrifying disease has been proven enhanced by genetic causes. More specifically, if an individual carries one set of Dementia genes they may possibly face this disease by the age of eighty, however if the individual carries two copies of this gene they are guaranteed to suffer the effects. (Only ten percent of people have the gene to protect against dementia, and more than half do not carry a gene that will protect or create destruction at all [Berger, 2005]). Also See Cognitive Development, & Psychosocial development.
Cognitive Development

Cognitive development describes the intellectual or educational side of human growth. It includes but is not limited to the thinking process, perceptual ability, and communication (Berger, 2005). Beyond age sixty-five, this process takes a new role. Although the human body is capable of intellectual enhancement until it’s final breath, this stage of development declines or slows the ability to receive store, organize and interpret information on the same level as it once did. As some ability’s increase such as vocabulary, wisdom based problem solving and systematic knowledge, others decrease such as short-term memory, memory based language, and abilities that are based on information-processing speed. This deterioration can be slowed through cognitive based activities (Anneberg,2007) . Some recent suggestions include but are not limited to, reading, arts and crafts, journalism, Internet communication, volunteer work, and group activities. Such activities allow the mind to continue to process large quantities of information, lowering the possibility of stagnation, and adding a type of quality to life (Berger, 2005).
Of course, Cognitive Development isn’t without delimit. As an example we shall look again at Dementia. As stated before, dementia attacks the brain functions, which ultimately means it attacks the cognitions. As the physical aspects of dementia increase so does the intellectual or cognitive patterns. At first the individual will face issues when trying to learn new information, they may even find it hard to produce their thoughts into words. This is followed by the inability to accomplish simple tasks or the inability to find known locations; such as the bathroom. By the end of this horrific disease the individual will lack the basic communication skills all together. It’s a slow process but over time, a definite one (Annenberg, 2007) . ALSO SEE BIOSOCIAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.


Psychosocial development
Psychosocial Development describes more intimate areas of human development. These intimate areas include the emotional character, personality, and the ability to form and maintain interpersonal relationships (Berger, 2005).
During Late adulthood, individuals experience many biological, cognitive and social changes that bring with them psychological changes. These changes reflect in their everyday lives. Coping skills, sensitivity, and over all self-image become evident to those closest to them. Livelihood and satisfaction depends strongly on family involvement (Anneberg, 2007); the strongest of which being that of a spouse (Berger, 2005). With a strong support system in place perseverance seems almost unconditional; that is until disaster strikes. For this article we are going to touch on only a few, less than positive aspects of aging.
The first topic will seem more like a challenge but for some elderly individuals this challenge can seem for filling, un-replaceable, and yet excruciating at the same time. The topic is “Grandchildren”. For most, becoming a grandparent is the most enjoyable time in a person’s life. It’s a time to enjoy the seeds, and then return them to the basket, only to watch them mature into it’s own tree of life. It’s been described as an indescribable experience; one of great joy and happiness. One person put it well when they said that they never imagined they could love something more than their own child; but they now do. (This seems to be the over all feelings of most grandparents including myself.)
However, this experience can come to a sudden end when grandparents face the challenge of raising their child’s little seeds. (A situation that has increased 97% since 1970 [Berger, 2005].) This type of situation usually happens under un-expectant and excruciating circumstances. Obviously, not many people take on such responsibility to continue to feel young. A decision like this is one based on love and occasionally by guilt from past experience. Which is where the stress begins. Between the generation gap, social trend change, physical and financial declines, many grandparents are caught in a catch 22; either they do the best they can, or lose the child/ren and the connection they love so much. Live is simply too precious to walk away and miss the milestones. Society has already lost too much of its family bond it doesn’t need to lose further so more and more grandparents hold on.
The second topic of discussion is dementia. Again, Dementia hits an individual in all aspects of their lives. As the body and brain diminishes psychological changes unfold as well. The individual will become confused, aggravated, anxious, and often depressed. These changes often transfer to the family as well. It’s not easy to watch a love one slip away, slowly suffers small deaths until they are no longer but a shell of the person they once were. Obviously, most people who suffer from dementia would feel true embarrassment if they knew exactly what they were doing.
The third and final area we will cover is Death. (We shall start with personal death, then cover interpersonal relationship loss.) Obviously for some, death is the scariest word in the human vocabulary. It brings about thoughts of sadness, fear, and anxiety. It’s associated with caskets, loss, and disposal. But in reality, death doesn’t have to be a total negative experience.

According to Dr. Kebler-Ross (Young, 2006), when a person faces a terminal illness they face stages of as denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Each of these stages is marked by specific traits. Denial, allows the person to place the condition on the back burner and simply not deal with the repercussions. Anger, is a natural emotion that individuals feel but in this case the individual may feel not only angry at the disease but at the doctor who informed them, the people who will survive them, and themselves for being sick to begin with. Bargaining, This usually takes place with the power greater than them selves. “Dear God, If you take away this______, I will________.” Of course life doesn’t work that way, but it’s a stage. Depression, is quite self-explanatory, however it’s often marked by withdraw and other negative reactions when dealing with an expectant death. Lastly acceptance, it becomes time to file away the illness and begin to focus on the arrangements, wills, goodbyes, and other obligations. As long as a person receives humane treatment, is allowed to express emotions, participates in their care, is provided spiritual freedom, and separated from un-necessary pain the person will experience what is called a good death (Berger, 2005). The effects of a good death will remarkably influence the responses of those left behind.
Which brings us to the topic of survivors of spousal/significant other death. Shock, protest, disorganization and reorganization mark four of the greatest stages of surviving the loss of a loved one. Basically, a person will be upset and may even be lost in denial. They may go as far as to say, “__________ is on vacation.” But, eventually that denial subsides and they are forced to acknowledge the situation. When this happens, the person may feel very over whelmed, anxious, and confused. These feelings will pass, and then it’s generally time to get affairs in order. Maybe the individual’s prospect on life changes, for some, personal growth is experienced and they begin to focus their grief into a positive voyage.
References


Annenberg Media (2007). Discovering Psychology. Age 65+. Retrieved Feb. 1, 2007
From WGBH Educational Foundation website:
http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/development/65.html

Berger, Kathleen (2005). The Developing Person through the life span (6th ed.)
New York: Worth Publications.

Young, Carley (2006) 5 Stages of Dealing with Grief and Sorrow Retrieved Feb 1 2007

From The Life Script website:

http://www.lifescript.com/channels/well_being/meditations_motivations/facing_loss.asp?