Being Positive about Self and Aging[i]
“Once
individuals become older, they may lack the defenses of other groups to ward
off the impact of negative stereotypes on self-perceptions.” Further “The depth
and breadth of self-stereotypes of aging may be explained by their focus on
cognitive decline which conveys a sense of the ultimate outcome: death.” Further, “.the knowledge of the inevitability of death is the
underlying sense from which all other fears are ultimately derived.” Next week I have an appointment with a
neurologist to discuss my
declining memory function. I don’t
know whether this decline is “normal” or a path to serious factors including
Alzheimer’s.
Recently
my younger brother Reynolds died from a heart attack. It has caused me to have
additional stress, which is a major factor in brain memory decline.
The
researcher go on to explain that “The following study examines for the first
time whether positive self-perceptions about one’s aging influence survival….”
Their
tool was the Attitudes Towards Own Aging subscale, which contains the following
items:
1.
Things
keep getting worse as I get older.
2.
I have
as much pep as I did last year.”
3.
As you
get older you are less useful.
4.
I am
as happy now as when I was younger,
5.
As I
get older things are (better, worse, or the same) as I thought they would be.
What
I’m doing about the memory process is 1. Taking a daily supplement entitled Unforgettables
and I munch on
Coconut Oil each day. But more than that I have learned that the best way to
remember something is to stop trying to remember. I find that let go of the pressure; in several second the
word I was looking for “pops” up.
It’s funny that while I have always had trouble remembering people’s
names my forgetfulness has expanded and I can’t take anything for granted.
Another
study I want to include [ii]
examines the fear of death in dying in relationship to Aging. Agreeing with
much of the other material on the subject the Dr. Roth says; “First of all this
country is oriented toward youthfulness.
Aged people are generally not held in high regard.” Further he goes on to say
that “The major assault on the mental health of older people comes from diminished self-esteem. Further. “ The person who feels that
his self-esteem is irretrievably shattered does not want to live and soon dies.
It must be emphasized that self-esteem is the psychologic equivalent of self-preservation in the
physical sphere.”
“There
are of course, older people who face death without trepidation. They are generally kindly, loving,
people who live life fully to the last possible moment. They want to continue
learning. When the time comes, the feel ready for the final step of life, which
is death.” Finally “Does it all boil down to the idea that life is so
interesting?”
Well
I used to watch a TV show called The Highlander and the primary song by the
song group Queen was “Who wants to live forever. I’d like to take a shot at living ten thousand years into
the future ( maybe I’m being over optimistic regarding global warming)
Finally
the author tells us that “Just as we do not know the nature of death, we do not
know the purpose of life, but we must live as though we do in order to face
death with a measure of fortitude.”
[i] [i]
B.R. Levy, M.D.Slade, S.R. Kunkel & S.V. Kasl (200). Longevity Increased by Positive
Self-Perceptions of Aging , Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Vol
83, No.2,261-270. DOI
10.1037//0022-3514.83.2.261
[ii] N. Roth
(1978) Fear of Death in the Aging, American Journal of Psychotherapy Vol 32, 4, pages 552-559
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