Later Adulthood Development
Later Adulthood Development Report
September 2, 2013
Later Adulthood is a period of many changes. According to Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, “Later adulthood is the last major segment of the life span” (p.587). Individuals who are in going through their later adulthood are experiencing and dealing with an immense amount of emotions and feelings. There are several areas of an individual’s life that are effected by later adulthood. An individual’s work life, health, marriage, living situation, family relationships, and social relationships are all things that can be affected in some way by later adulthood. It is important for one to understand to the best of their ability the processes and events that take place in later adulthood, because it is something that almost everybody will eventually experience. During the stage of later adulthood individual’s roles in life begin to change. “Older people are erroneously thought to be senile, resistant to change, inflexible, incompetent workers, and a burden on the young” (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010, p.642). Individuals entering later adulthood were once young, energetic, and thriving in the work field and are now viewed negatively by society. The older an individual becomes, the less energy they may have because their bodies may not be as physically fit as they once were. This may cause them to not be able to participate in activities that they may have once enjoyed doing. For example, a person may drive a car to where they need to be every single day of their life, but then lose their ability to drive a car during their later adulthood stage. Getting used to being without a car and depending on others or public transportation can be a huge change in life. Role changes like these can cause an individual to develop low self-esteem. Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman suggest that, “Older adults who want to work and are still performing well should be encouraged to continue working past age 65 or 70” (p.660). If older people
September 2, 2013
Later Adulthood is a period of many changes. According to Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, “Later adulthood is the last major segment of the life span” (p.587). Individuals who are in going through their later adulthood are experiencing and dealing with an immense amount of emotions and feelings. There are several areas of an individual’s life that are effected by later adulthood. An individual’s work life, health, marriage, living situation, family relationships, and social relationships are all things that can be affected in some way by later adulthood. It is important for one to understand to the best of their ability the processes and events that take place in later adulthood, because it is something that almost everybody will eventually experience. During the stage of later adulthood individual’s roles in life begin to change. “Older people are erroneously thought to be senile, resistant to change, inflexible, incompetent workers, and a burden on the young” (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010, p.642). Individuals entering later adulthood were once young, energetic, and thriving in the work field and are now viewed negatively by society. The older an individual becomes, the less energy they may have because their bodies may not be as physically fit as they once were. This may cause them to not be able to participate in activities that they may have once enjoyed doing. For example, a person may drive a car to where they need to be every single day of their life, but then lose their ability to drive a car during their later adulthood stage. Getting used to being without a car and depending on others or public transportation can be a huge change in life. Role changes like these can cause an individual to develop low self-esteem. Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman suggest that, “Older adults who want to work and are still performing well should be encouraged to continue working past age 65 or 70” (p.660). If older people
References: Taylor, C. S. (2007). Life review and art therapy in late adulthood. (Order No. 1442109, Ursuline College). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 180. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/304713126?accountid=35812. (304713126). Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2010). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.