The idea of aging and the inevitable death typically seem exceptionally distant for young people. However, as one ages, the necessity to reconcile with the fear of eventual demise emerges. Moreover, aging and the threat of death are connected directly and inseparably to multiple losses, including the loss of physical and mental abilities, the deaths of loved ones, and other issues. Although aging people suffer significant losses, they still manage to have a satisfying life as long as they feel actualized, as well as due to the change in priorities and the focus on issues that they used to overlook at a younger age.
The approaches toward coping with losses and other difficulties that aging people are likely to face much more frequently than the younger population vary significantly depending on the individual character traits and cultural backgrounds of aging individuals. However, certain similarities in the patterns of building coping mechanisms can be observed. For example, studies show that the focus on maintaining autonomy, finding a unique purpose in life, developing new social relationships, and achieving mastery in their hobbies serve as the main strategies for aging people to cope with challenges and losses (Barnett & Adams, 2018). Therefore, the promotion of autonomy and encouragement of independence in aging adults is vital for ensuring high life satisfaction rates in the target population.
The described change can also be explained by the fact that the nature of the fear of death tends to alter as people age. Specifically, studies show that the levels of anxiety associated with the idea of death show a significant decline with the rise in people’s age (Mohammadpour et al., 2018). The observed phenomenon can be explained by the target demographic beginning to perceive death as an inevitability that implies being relieved of the burden that they bear, including the effects of health issues and the pain of multiple losses. However, most importantly, as one age, one is likely to perceive death as the inevitable part of the greater cycle that involves not only the individual but also the world as a whole (Barnett & Adams, 2018). Therefore, changes in the scope of and perspective on death as a concept allow aging people to reconcile with its inevitability.
The described phenomenon allows the introduction of a few remarkable suggestions concerning late-life development. Specifically, ensuring high quality of life and overall life satisfaction is crucial in assisting aging people and helping them overcome the fear of death. Furthermore, access to essential resources must remain uninhibited for the specified population. Finally, promoting active social relationships must be seen as a part of the therapy process aimed at helping aging people overcome their anxiety and develop a positive perception of life.
Due to the shift in life priorities and a significant change in their value system, aging people tend to develop coping mechanisms that allow them to have a satisfying life despite the losses that they have likely suffered. With the loss of a substantial part of the fear of death, coupled with the focus on self-actualized late-life development, the specified change indicates that aging people tend to build the resilience that younger people cannot possess due to the limitations in their perspectives and experiences. Though the observed phenomenon does not negate the significance of active support for aging people, it indicates that the specified demographic possesses a unique ability to build a coping mechanism for managing negative changes and losses while appreciating life.
References
Barnett, M. D., & Adams, C. M. (2018). Ageism and aging anxiety among young adults: Relationships with contact, knowledge, fear of death, and optimism. Educational Gerontology, 44(11), 693-700. Web.
Mohammadpour, A., Sadeghmoghadam, L., Shareinia, H., Jahani, S., & Amiri, F. (2018). Investigating the role of perception of aging and associated factors in death anxiety among the elderly. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 13, 405-410. Web.