Late adulthood: what it is, its characteristics and how it affects us

Let's see what late adulthood is and what effects it has in terms of physical and psychological changes.

Late adulthood, also known as senescence, is understood in popular culture as the last period of our lives.. This is true, but it is not only that, it is also the time when we get our well-deserved rest and, if well managed, it can be a time of personal growth and development.

In cases where events such as retirement or the death of a spouse are not properly managed, this stage can be synonymous with loneliness and isolation, as well as physical and mental health problems.

Personality differences and how one deals with late adulthood are key, which we will explore in depth below.

What is late adulthood?

Late adulthood, also known as old age, old age or senescence, begins at the age of 60 and ends just as life ends, begins at the age of 60 and ends just as life does.. It is characterized by a gradual decline in the functioning of all body systems, with a progressive loss of strength and cognitive abilities, in addition to a greater likelihood of presenting pathologies of all kinds and neurological disorders.

This is a somewhat controversial stage, as some theorists refer to it directly as "old age", characterized by simple old age. Its starting point is also a matter of debate, although it is agreed that it would begin between the ages of 60 and 65 and end at the time of death.

Since people can live for quite a long time, there are cases of elderly people who are 120 years old, late adulthood may be the longest period of life.However, it is also worth mentioning that in other cases it may be unfortunate to die relatively early, at the age of 70.

It is very important that, when this stage is reached, everything possible is done to maintain good physical and mental health.. It is essential to engage in physical activity from time to time, as well as being mentally active and engaging in relaxing activities so as not to put too much stress on the body, a factor that is detrimental to the body.

In addition, since older adults are at risk of being trapped in loneliness and are weaker, it is essential that they interact with their peers and family members, in addition to checking in on them frequently to make sure they have everything they need.

Physical and psychological characteristics

There are several characteristics that we can highlight in late adulthood.

Physical characteristics

In late adulthood several physical changes occur, all of them related to the decline in the body. Although they are not necessarily synonymous with diseases or medical problems, the truth is that the body during old age is more sensitive to pathologies and physical alterations, such as joint pain or injuries more frequently.

Some of the physical changes that can be observed in old age are loss of skin texture and elasticity, thinning and graying of hair, loss of bone and Muscle mass, dental loss and gum problems, poorer vision and a propensity to osteoporosis. The organism is more fragile, increasing the possibility of developing diseases that can become chronic, such as diabetes, rheumatism or arthritis.

Psychological characteristics

With regard to psychological characteristics, it is worth mentioning that there has been some debate about the there has been some debate about how cognitive abilities are in old age.. Here the controversy is similar to that of middle adulthood, since it is true that memory, attention, concentration and fluency in solving new problems are lost, but also, as long as there is no dementia, the amount of knowledge is increasing and also the experience of life.

Fluid intelligence, which is the ability to solve new problems, declines in old age. On the other hand, crystallized intelligence, which is based on experience and learning, tends to be maintained or even increased, albeit moderately.but only moderately. Although it is more difficult to learn new things, it never stops.

Psychosocial development

In recent years, two terms have been very recurrent in the literature to refer to how progress occurs at this stage: successful aging and optimal aging. The use of these terms suggests that there is a right or better way to age. Be that as it may, it is worth mentioning that growth, in the sense of personal development, is still occurring in old age and many older people who feel healthy, competent and in control of their lives experience this stage not as the inevitable end but as a very positive stage in which they can explore what they could not when they were younger.

People with more extraverted traits tend to live the early years of old age with positive emotions and happiness, seeing it as an opportunity to try new things or enjoy a well-deserved rest. In contrast, people with neurotic tendencies tend to experience this stage negatively, with worry and fear of uncertainty, and perceive old age as the time when people cease to be useful to society.

Erik Erikson conceived old age as the last stage of the life cycle whose characteristic conflict is the integrity of the self in the face of hopelessness. People who reach old age need to evaluate, synthesize and accept their lives, admitting that death is approaching them. The more extroverted or positively minded will strive to find a sense of coherence and integrity rather than give in to despair over their inability to relive the past differently.

We can say that the most positive elders, instead of obsessing and obsessing about what they did not do in their younger years, try to take the bull by the horns and make their old age meaningful, profitable and happy. and make their old age meaningful, profitable and happy.. Those who fail to do this are overwhelmed by the hopelessness of realizing that they are running out of time to seek other paths to the integrity of the self, following Erikson's proposal.