‘I Don't Feel Old’: Subjective Ageing and the Search for Meaning in Later Life

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Search For Meaning ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTA critique of the study of ageing by sociologists and historians is provided in this paper, on the basis of the comparative neglect of life history studies across the whole lifespan. It points to the skewed nature of studies reported in the literature. As a corrective, results from a UK life history based study are presented. It focuses on leisure, grand- parenting and intimate relationships between adults, leading to conclusions about the relationship between class factors in the determination of late life experiences and self perceptions of the meaning of old age.

The relationship of early life experiences to later life leisure involvement

1987 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis A. McGuire ◽  
F. Dominic Dotta Vio ◽  
Joseph T. O'leary
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Leisure Involvement ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Time as a structuring condition for new intimate relationships in later life6

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjörn Bildtgård ◽  
Peter Öberg
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Free Time ◽  
Cultural Conditions ◽  
Life Phase ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Theoretical Insight

It is often claimed that ‘love is ageless’. But is this really true? This chapter raises the question: is there something that sets intimate relationships in later life apart from relationships in earlier parts of the life course? While earlier chapters have considered how intimate relationships in later life are shaped by historical and cultural conditions, this chapter instead focuses on how they are shaped by the particular existential structure of later life. It is argued that old age is a life phase characterized by a paradox of time: that of having lots of available free time, but little time left in life – and that this existential structure shapes intimacy in later life. It is further argued that the scope of this theoretical insight is much wider than the topic of intimate relationships.

A new partner as a resource for social support

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjörn Bildtgård ◽  
Peter Öberg
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Rational Choice Theory ◽  
Choice Theory ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Intimate Relationship ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
The Individual

This chapter investigates the gains of repartnering in old age. What can a new intimate relationship offer the individual who repartners in later life and are these rewards different in later life than earlier in life? The chapter starts with a brief presentation of two theoretical perspectives that have been used to understand the reasons for late-life repartnering: rational choice theory and functionalism. It continues by detailing different kinds of social support that a new relationship can offer the individual – companionate, emotional and practical support.

There Is Still Time to Be Active: Self-Perceptions of Aging, Physical Activity, and the Role of Perceived Residual Lifetime Among Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-815
Author(s):  
Ann-Kristin Beyer ◽  
Maja Wiest ◽  
Susanne Wurm
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Residual Lifetime ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions ◽  
The Relationship

Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are a resource in later life. As aging is accompanied with perceptions of the finitude of life, it is assumed that perceived residual lifetime may play a role in the relationship between SPA and health behavior. Among older adults aged 65 years and older, the present study tested whether the relationships between gain- and loss-related SPA and two kinds of physical activity are moderated by perceived residual lifetime. Data were based on 2.367 participants over a 3-year period. Participants with less gain-related SPA were less likely to walk on a regular basis; however, a longer residual lifetime compensated for this negative effect. In addition, participants did sports more often if they not only held less loss-related SPA but also perceived a longer residual lifetime. These results emphasize the importance of perceived residual lifetime in health promotion interventions targeting physical activity in older adults.

scholarly journals Working in old age in Mexico: implications for cognitive functioning

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Francisca S. Rodriguez ◽  
Joseph Saenz
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Visual Scanning ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Cognitive Benefits

Abstract Previous studies indicate that occupation might affect cognitive functioning in late life. As people in low- and middle-income countries often have to work until late life, we sought to investigate if there are cognitive benefits to working later into life and whether cognitive function deteriorates after exiting the labour force. We analysed longitudinal data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS), a nationally representative sample of Mexican adults age 50+ (N = 7,375), that assessed cognitive functioning by verbal learning, delayed recall and visual scanning. Analyses were carried out using mixed-effects modelling corrected for the influence of gender, instrumental activities of daily living, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, depression, income and marital status. Results suggest that working actively, compared to exiting the workforce, was associated with cognitive performance only in context with occupation. Domestic workers had a faster decline in verbal learning (b = −0.02, p = 0.020) and delayed recall (b = −0.02, p = 0.036) if they continued working actively and people working in administration (b = 0.03, p = 0.007), sales (b = 0.02, p = 0.044) and educators (b = 0.03, p = 0.049) had a slower decline in visual scanning if they continued working in old age. Our findings indicate that continued participation in the labour force in old age does not necessarily come with cognitive benefits. Whether or not working actively in later life protects or even harms cognitive functioning is likely to depend on the type of job.

scholarly journals Age-Related Hearing Loss and the Development of Cognitive Impairment and Late-Life Depression: A Scoping Overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (01) ◽  
pp. 010-025
Author(s):  
Rahul K. Sharma ◽  
Alexander Chern ◽  
Justin S. Golub
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Impaired Cognition ◽  
Behavioral Mechanisms ◽  
Age Related Hearing Loss ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractAge-related hearing loss (ARHL) has been connected to both cognitive decline and late-life depression. Several mechanisms have been offered to explain both individual links. Causal and common mechanisms have been theorized for the relationship between ARHL and impaired cognition, including dementia. The causal mechanisms include increased cognitive load, social isolation, and structural brain changes. Common mechanisms include neurovascular disease as well as other known or as-yet undiscovered neuropathologic processes. Behavioral mechanisms have been used to explain the potentially causal association of ARHL with depression. Behavioral mechanisms include social isolation, loneliness, as well as decreased mobility and impairments of activities of daily living, all of which can increase the risk of depression. The mechanisms underlying the associations between hearing loss and impaired cognition, as well as hearing loss and depression, are likely not mutually exclusive. ARHL may contribute to both impaired cognition and depression through overlapping mechanisms. Furthermore, ARHL may contribute to impaired cognition which may, in turn, contribute to depression. Because ARHL is highly prevalent and greatly undertreated, targeting this condition is an appealing and potentially influential strategy to reduce the risk of developing two potentially devastating diseases of later life. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanistic relationship between ARHL, depression, and impaired cognition.

New Intimate Relationships in Later Life

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjörn Bildtgård ◽  
Peter Öberg
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Intimate Relationship ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Linked Lives ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study is to investigate the consequences for linked lives of entering into new intimate relationships in later life. The empirical data is based on qualitative interviews with 28 Swedes aged 63 to 91 years, who have established a new intimate relationship after the age of 60 years or are currently dating. Theories on linked lives and individualization are used. The results show that children were generally supportive of their older parents’ unions and older individuals were often integrated into the new partner’s network. However, a new union also restructured the relationship chain so that time and energy were redirected to the new partner. Older parents preferred to be dependent on partners rather than children/others. A new partner was described as a source for autonomy and a way of “unburdening” children. Results are discussed in light of Western individualism generally and Swedish state supported individualism in particular.

The relationship between overweight and obesity prior to old age and later life disability

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 60-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Pasupathi ◽  
K. Backholer ◽  
E. Wong ◽  
A. Hodge ◽  
A. Peeters
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals Traumatic Events and Cognitive Function: Does Time When Traumatic Events Happen Matter?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 428-428
Author(s):  
Gabriella Dong
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Memory Processing ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract People at different life stage may respond differently to traumatic events and result in different cognitive health. This study aims to examine the relationship between life stage at which one experiences traumatic events and cognitive function. The data were drawn from the 2017-2019 PINE study (N = 3,125). The time of life events happened was evaluated by childhood (<20), adulthood (20-59), and old age (60 and above). Cognition was measured through global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, and MMSE. Linear regression was used. Individuals with the latest exposure to traumatic events at adulthood or old age have higher cognitive function than those without traumatic events over the life course. Exposure to traumatic events in middle or later life stimulates cognition, while trauma exposure in earlier life stage does not. Future research to understand the impact of traumatic events on health could consider the time when traumatic events happen

Unexpected turns in lifelong sentimental journeys: redefining love, memory and old age through Alice Munro's ‘The Bear Came Over the Mountain’ and its film adaptation, Away from Her

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 389-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
NÚRIA CASADO-GUAL
Keyword(s):  
Gender Difference ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Short Story ◽  
Romantic Love ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Film Adaptation ◽  
Retirement Home ◽  
Film Version ◽  
And Gender

ABSTRACTAlice Munro's 2001 short story ‘The Bear Came Over the Mountain’ and its 2006 film version, Away from Her, directed and adapted for the screen by Sarah Polley, are two interconnected narratives through which diverse (and even divergent) representations of romantic love and memory in later life can be analysed. Even if the two texts are constructed on an apparently simple plot line, which basically depicts the last phase of a 44-year-long marriage once the wife, Fiona, presents symptoms of dementia and is interned in a retirement home, they both allow for, at least, two contrasted interpretations. As will be demonstrated, these two possible readings unveil different cultural, social and psychological facets of memory in connection with late-life expressions of love; and each of them contributes, in their own way, to the construction of a dialogical narrative that mediates between the complexities of old age, dementia and gender difference, while at the same time demonstrating the power of literature and the cinema to reflect and refract the complexities of contemporary forms of ageing.

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