Transitions in Late Life – Mental Health Concerns

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Introduction

Campaigning for the improvement of late life mental health has become increasingly important in the modern society. Owing to the snowballing number of older people around the world, there is a need to address the transitions in late life with a view of improving the physical, psychological, social, economic, and interpersonal aspects amongst the older population. It has been revealed that older people develop diverse attitudes, preferences, behaviors, and political attachments among other changes. This essay provides an overview of the changes that occur in late life with a view of addressing various mental health concerns.

Psychological Changes in Adulthood

Personality

According to Ferrini and Ferrini (2003), the psychological traits of individuals significantly change as they progress into their late life. Earlier studies indicated that personality changes only occurred in childhood developmental stages until adolescence. However, recent studies show that such traits change even in old age. Various life events such as occupation, marriage, and parenthood have been perceived as key factors that determine the personality of an individual (Ferrini & Ferrini, 2003).

Retirement

While retirement offers a good opportunity for participation in alternative activities such as getting involved with family matters, others see it as a life event that results in prolonged periods of solitude and dormancy. Indeed, Shahrestani, Quach, Mueller, & Rose (2010), revealed that some retirees develop a feeling of worthlessness. Retirement is usually associated with negative aspects such as reduced earnings, disposal of possessions, and moving of homes among others. Such changes have a direct impact on the wellbeing of the old people.

Relationships

Mikulincer and Shaver (2010) reveal that the most critical aspects underlying the mental health and wellbeing of human beings in late life include collective and civic involvement. The strength and quality of the social relationships and engagement in communal activities are strongly associated with the fitness, welfare, and the value of life amongst the elder people. According to Mikulincer and Shaver (2010), the probability of reducing depression increases as an old person confides more relationships with friends and family. These situations can bring about poor mental health.

Mental Impacts of Physical, Psychological, Social, Economic, and Interpersonal Losses on Late Life

The progression of life from young to old age involves significant brain changes that result in physical, psychological, social, economic, and interpersonal losses owing to reduced cognitive abilities (Shahrestani et al., 2010). This state of affairs brings about various effects that continue to worsen the mental well-being of the elderly people. For instance, reduced physical and psychological activity can lead to social discrimination. Economic loss also contributes to poor mental health as the elderly struggle to minimize expenditure. These situations leave the old people struggling with loneliness, isolation, and low-self-esteem. As a result, they suffer from depression and other mental hitches that can even result in madness and/or suicide (Wu, Schimmele, & Chappell, 2012).

Positive Effects of Late Life Transitions

Nevertheless, some elderly people enjoy the positive effects of late life transitions. Events such a retirement can offer an opportunity for rest depending on the attitude of the elderly people. It can be a chance to spend quality time with friends and family besides giving back to the community. Elsewhere, marriage relationships bring about positive later life experiences as the elderly witness change and continuity of generations (Wu et al., 2012). As a result, grandparenthood also becomes an important aspect of the elderly in the society.

Analysis of the Overall Impact of Psychological Change in Late Adulthood

The effect of growing older is seen in reduced psychological, emotional, and social activities amongst the elderly people. Psychological changes in late adulthood bring about special challenges to life. At the outset, there is amplified dependency. According to Schaie and Willis (2010), many elderly individuals require help in accomplishing day-to-day activities. At this point, family members, close kinsfolks, friends, and nurses among other persons become significantly important as they extend assistance to the old-aged individuals. Another impact is the development of solitude and connectedness. Although some people become lonely in their later life, others opt to re-establish social connections with a view of creating late life relationships. Such associations are crucial in improving social support amongst the elderly persons.

Impact of such Issues on the Mental Health of the Elderly

Köhler, Thomas, Barnett, and O’Brien (2010) reveal that physical, psychological, social, economic, and interpersonal losses have significant impacts on the mental health of the elderly. For instance, increased dependency can lead to feelings of indignity, culpability, and burden. This state of affairs can further result in depression, especially in communities where dependency is perceived as a burden (Köhler et al., 2010). Intentional deprivation of care is common among the caregivers of the elderly people. This practice brings about increased mental pressure that can result in permanent melancholy, insanity, or even suicide.

How the Risk for Mental Disorders has increased as a result of such Changes

The deterioration of the health of the elderly people in late life is perceived to increase the risk for mental disorders (Ferrini & Ferrini, 2003). The escalation of mental problems is common amongst old-aged individuals who experience inadequate social, emotional, psychological, and economic support. Physical and interpersonal changes have been noted to increase mental health issues in late life. Köhler et al. (2010) posits that the number of people experiencing late life mental problems is likely to increase from 30 to 50 percent in the next five years.

Reference List

Ferrini, A., & Ferrini, R. (2003). Health in the Later Years. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Web.

Köhler, S., Thomas, A., Barnett, N., & O’Brien, J. (2010). The pattern and course of cognitive impairment in late-life depression. Psychological medicine, 40(4), 591-602. Web.

Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. (2010). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Web.

Schaie, K., & Willis, S. (2010). Handbook of the Psychology of Aging. New York, NY: Academic Press. Web.

Shahrestani, P., Quach, J., Mueller, L., & Rose, M. (2012). Paradoxical physiological transitions from aging to late life in Drosophila. Rejuvenation research, 15(1), 49-58. Web.

Wu, Z., Schimmele, C., & Chappell, N. (2012). Aging and late-life depression. Journal of Aging and Health, 24(1), 3-28. Web.

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