Embracing Aging
Women over 50 and 60.
With aging comes inevitable change. I believe quality of life, well-being, level of satisfaction with life, positive health outcomes, and outcomes in several aspects heavily depend on individual ability to embrace and approach change in a positive, productive manner. I believe having a mental advantage—knowing how to maintain positive thinking above negative, challenging circumstances—improves likelihood for positive change and healing in life.
In a recent project I chose to examine how older individuals feel about the statement “Is Life What You Make It”. In particular, I explored this with those who face challenging circumstances outside of their control, such as debilitating disease, chronic illness, or significant loss of a loved one. To thoroughly and effectively explore the theoretical idea “Life is what you make it,” I chose to conduct several one-on-one interviews with adults 55 and older.
While I see the statement “Life is what you make it,” to be true in many circumstances throughout life, I can see how statements such as “Everything in your life is a reflection of a decision you have made” may miss the mark—such statements may not always be true or appropriate as we reflect upon loss, debilitating disease, or chronic illness, for example. I believe there is tremendous value in attempting to maintain a positive mindset, making the most of any situation, striving to press forward. In addition, I believe there are several circumstances that may occur in life that are not the result of our own decision-making and I do not feel that anyone should ever be made to feel weak or inadequate if they feel their joy has been stolen, or a situation has gotten the best of them.
The idea that change is inevitable in everything we do is both an easy and challenging idea for most to understand and accept. I believe that the older we become, the more mature we become; thus, we are often better equipped to know how to handle challenging aspects of change when we have experienced dramatic life changes in the past. A view of change as inevitable, in my perspective, relates to the experience of growing older. Older people have greater life experience with change, and many will anticipate and then experience several dramatic changes as they grow older and enter late-life—coming to accept various elements of decline that commonly occur throughout the aging process, for example, or losing friends and loved ones, and changing living environments.
Crystal McGaha is working towards her MA in gerontology with a concentration in professional geriatric care management through Nova Southeastern University. She has a BA in complementary and alternative health with a minor in human resources management. Her goal is to combine her knowledge in alternative health and human resources management with gerontology to offer the aging population unique, yet very important care initiatives, life planning, and health promotion opportunities. Contact her by email at simplyxcrystal@yahoo.com or LinkedIn.
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Category: Blog
