Aging, Death, & End of Life Issues

Allport’s Characteristics of a Healthy Adult

• Extension of sense of self• Warm human interaction• Emotional security and self acceptance• Realistic perceptions• Self objectification• Demonstrate a unifying philosophy of life

Theories of Aging• Cellular Clock Theory (Hayflick limit)

– Cells have an absolute limit on the number of times they can divide. As they stop aging increases.

• Free Radical Theory– Chemicals produced by cell division and by the environment (pollution,

smoking, etc.) cause cell damage and aging• Hormonal Stress Theory

– Aging of bodies hormonal system can lower resilience to stress and cause aging

Theories of Aging• Cellular Garbage Theory

– Garbage builds in cells due to aging cells difficulty in disposing of waste which creates slower functioning due to crowding.

• Wear and Tear Theory– Bodies accumulated damage over time makes it impossible to repair

Successful Aging

• Theories– Continuity theory

• Must maintain continuity of past and change– Disengagement theory

• Must have mutual disengagement between individual and society

– Activity theory• Must remain as active as possible

Peck’s Three Developmental Tasks of Late Adulthood

• Differentiation vs. Role Pre-occupation– Must redefine worth in terms other than career

• Body Transcendence vs. Body Pre-occupation– Must learn to cope with declining physical health

• Ego Transcendence vs. Ego Pre-occupation– Must recognize death is inevitable and come to terms with ones life

Dealing with the End of Life• Spirituality• Advanced Directives

– Will– Living Will– Durable Power of Attorney– Funeral arrangements

Dealing With Death• Experience

– Bereavement• The state or condition of loss

– Grief• The emotional response to loss

– Mourning• Outward display of grief (culturally prescribed)

Models of Grieving

Models of Grieving• Grief Work

– Individual process– Cannot underestimate the time needed– Involves

• Acknowledging the reality of the loss• Working through the emotional turmoil • Adjusting to the environment where the deceased is absent • Loosening the ties to the deceased

Dual Process Model of Coping w/ LossStroebe & Schut

Why Grieving is Important• Loss involves more than death of a loved one.• The problem of compounded grief.