Psychology of older people: main problems and their features

Aging as a psychosomatic process

Psychosomatics is a science that studies the influence of emotions on the body and the development of various diseases. Nature has established that the human body, starting from the age of 25, physically begins to slowly but surely fade away. This is a natural biological process, but individual characteristics of a person can bring this new period closer.

The manifestation of chronic negative emotions, for example, anxiety, stress, suppressed unspoken aggression, have a serious impact on a person’s internal and external health:

- wrinkles and age spots appear;

- pressure rises;

- the heart and blood vessels are damaged;

- the rate of gray hair appearance increases;

- the body's defense mechanisms are suppressed;

- telomeres (parts of chromosomes whose length is directly related to life expectancy) are shortened;

— the number of free radicals increases (and, as a result, oxidative stress increases);

- the level of the longevity hormone - Klotho - decreases (its reduction directly affects the occurrence of atherosclerosis and osteoporosis).

Conventionally, we can distinguish 3 types of old age: physical (decreased activity and various diseases), social (limited contacts) and psychosomatic.

If we talk in more detail about the last aspect, then its striking features include:

- Lack of positive emotions. To feel comfortable, it is important for a person to periodically receive approval of his strengths from others. In science, this term is called “psychological stroking.” And a person needs nourishment with new emotions and impressions no less than vitamins.

- Negative destructive thoughts;

- Self-flagellation;

- Feelings of guilt, inferiority, unfulfillment;

— Self-hypnosis associated with future negative events;

— Manipulation of others using a non-existent disease;

- “Childish” behavior.

Physical, social and psychosomatic old age may not coincide with each other. Their greater or lesser manifestation depends on a person’s lifestyle, level of intelligence, desire to develop and not give up.

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Aging through the lens of social, psychological and biological changes

Correct link to the article:

Ksenda O.G., Tatarko K.I.
— Aging through the prism of social, psychological and biological changes // Psychologist. – 2022. – No. 2. – P. 55 - 65. DOI: 10.25136/2409-8701.2018.2.24424 URL: https://nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=24424 Ksenda Olga Grigorievna
Candidate of Psychological Sciences

Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Belarusian State University

220004, Belarus, Minsk, st. Kalvariyskaya, 9

Ksenda Ol'ga Grigor'evna

PhD in Psychology

Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Studies at Belarusian State University

220004, Belarus', g. Minsk, st. Kal'variiskaya, 9

Emotions

Emotions are one of the basic mental functions that allow a person to adapt to new environmental conditions. They can both give confidence and cause apathy. Since the period of aging in most cases is perceived as a negative stage, the emotional sphere also begins to deform: new knowledge and skills are more difficult to understand, adaptive capacity decreases, more free time appears, and a conflict occurs between a person’s desires and his capabilities.

Emotional development, even at the initial stage of aging, plays no less important function than intellectual development. We can talk about the emotional degradation of an adult when he is unable to:

- recognize and express your emotions;

- regulate emotional state;

- be aware of the influence of your emotions on other people and vice versa;

- take responsibility for your emotions (and instead shift the blame to others);

- pay more attention to positive rather than negative emotions.

Scientific research shows that until the later stages of ontogenesis, the parts of the brain responsible for emotions do not undergo critical changes. But, of course, age adjusts their dynamics. For example, aging people try to avoid situations associated with negative emotions; they control their dissatisfaction and anger less diligently than young people, but at the same time they tend to assess the situation more sensitively to them.

Main emerging problems of older people

So, an elderly person may face three types of problems:

• physiological;
• social;
• psychological.

Physiological ones are related to the health of an elderly person: vision is no longer what it used to be, it’s difficult to climb stairs, it’s hard to bend, high blood pressure torments you, and your heart is acting up. With age, most diseases become chronic; every year a person loses his physical activity and feels constant discomfort.

Social problems. These include a decrease in the standard of living (retired people have significantly lower income than working citizens), poor organization of leisure time, the elderly have an increase in the amount of free time, but often they are no longer so in demand among others, thus their social activity decreases .

Among the psychological problems, the following stand out:

1. Loneliness. Peers leave one after another for another world, children and grandchildren constantly have no time, and going to any hobby classes is physically difficult. The person is left alone with himself.
2. Diffidence. Old people are increasingly listening to their physical ill health; many are beginning to find in themselves excessive weakness, clumsiness, and are afraid to remind themselves once again and ask for help. Or, on the contrary, they constantly ask for help even with the simplest manipulations.
3. Depression turning into apathy. Old people stop taking care of themselves, they can sit for hours with their eyes glued to the TV, and if you ask what they were watching now, they will answer with a blank look.
4. Closedness turning into complete detachment.

The psyche of older people has its own characteristics, including:

1. A decrease or complete lack of interest in something unfamiliar that a person has not encountered before. It often comes to the point that old people refuse to watch new films, new musical compositions are incomprehensible and uninteresting for them, and modern fashion scares them. Who hasn’t heard the famous phrase: “But in our time...”?
2. Significant memory impairment. The short-term suffers more, that is, a person perfectly remembers what happened to him fifty years ago, but when he comes to the kitchen, he forgets what he was going for. As a result, it is difficult for him to learn any new manipulations; he simply forgets the order of actions.
3. Some old people become overly suspicious, but the majority show the opposite qualities: they become more suggestible, they trust strangers too much, especially if they introduce themselves as employees of any government social services.
4. The emergence of various complexes. The essence of their occurrence is as follows: old people partially lose their physical capabilities, they are forced to more often turn to younger family members or neighbors, strangers for help, they become more dependent, the complex is obvious. Awareness of this does not make the existence of an elderly person happier.

To summarize: the older a person is, the more difficult it is for him to maintain his emotional and mental balance, especially when he is left alone, financial difficulties often arise, mobility decreases, and memory weakens.

The influence of mental factors on appearance

Mental factors during the aging process have a direct impact on appearance. Let's consider two personality types - “fighter for life” and “guardian”.

“Fighters for life” are active and cheerful people, they are motivated to achieve success and, in spite of everything, find the strength to move forward. Due to the presence of positive emotions, the process of endorphin production occurs. As a rule, in such people the functioning of the immune, antioxidant, and nervous systems is normalized, oxidative stress does not go off scale, and regeneration processes are stably active. Therefore, people of the “fighters for life” type most often look younger than their peers: the stages of gravitational ptosis pass slowly, the skin has a healthy color, it is moisturized and elastic, the network of wrinkles is noticeable, but not deep. Therefore, when such a patient comes to a cosmetologist, correcting aesthetic defects is not a problem.

“Keepers of the past” are people who are fixated on the past, do not want to develop and learn something new, they reflect on old memories and do not want to see prospects in the future. Without knowing it, they begin to activate the mechanism of biological aging. Often such people are irritable, quick-tempered, do not control the flow of negative thoughts and words, limit social contacts and prefer to be alone with themselves. Because of this, the facial muscles are always tense, the eyebrows are furrowed, the complexion takes on a grayish tint and a tired appearance, facial wrinkles are pronounced, and fat packets are thinned. Internal imbalance provokes unwanted external changes, and the result is a vicious circle that can be broken by the joint work of a psychologist and a cosmetologist.

Personal development

V. Henry classified people in old age into three groups according to the amount of mental energy they have. The first group consists of those people who feel quite cheerful and energetic and continue to work. The second group includes people who do their own business in old age (for example, a hobby). The third group includes people with weak mental energy; as a rule, they are not busy with anything or are only busy with themselves.

Recognizing oneself as an old person is the strongest psychological factor of aging. The correct manner of behavior and communication in this case consists in the correct feeling of one’s own age.

British psychologist D. Bromley identified 5 types of adaptation to old age. These include:

• Structural installation;
• Installing dependencies;
• Protective installation;
• Installation of hostility;
• An attitude of hostility that is directed towards oneself.

During old age, not only the changes that occur to a person are considered important, but also the person’s attitude towards these changes. F. Giese's typology identifies three types of old people: a negativistic extroverted type and an introverted type.

No less interesting is the classification of socio-psychological types of old age. I. S. Kon built it on the basis of the dependence of the type on the nature of the activity with which old age is filled. This may be an active and creative old age; old age with good socio-psychological adaptability; “female” type of aging; old age, which involves taking care of health (“male” type of aging).

Markers of psychological old age

Psychological age includes the totality of a person’s subjective feelings of his age, behavior and actions. Therefore, very often the psychological age does not coincide at all with the mark in the passport. Some even at 70 years old find hobbies, enjoy life, explore the unknown, while others, after 30 years, begin to age with incredible force.

Psychologists have identified markers of psychological old age, thanks to which a person can understand that his energy is directed not in a creative, but in a destructive direction.

Here they are:

· Relationships with time.

The first indicator is the thought that all interesting events are behind us and that there is nothing attractive in the future. Psychologically, a young man is not afraid to make plans, while an old man lives only in memories, slowing down his development.

· Attitude towards your limitations.

Psychological old age occurs when a person puts self-pity and limitations at the forefront (“I will never…”, “I no longer have the strength,” “I should have done it earlier”). Psychologically, a young man believes in his strengths and capabilities at any age.

· Degree of development of emotional competence.

Emotional competence is the ability to “switch” from oneself to other people, not to judge, and to experience feelings of gratitude. It has been proven that kind and cheerful people have different hormonal and neurochemical processes, thanks to which the face does not become “senile” for a long time.

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How to communicate with older people: 10 simple rules

Not every family can boast that its older generation has a clear mind and is completely healthy psychologically. More often it happens the other way around: with age, people become harsh, stubborn, annoying, many turn into real despots, and behave simply inappropriately. But once upon a time they were sweet and friendly, your beloved old people. Living next to such relatives is not easy, especially psychologically. Now it’s time to look for a psychologist for yourself.

To preserve your dignity and save your nerves (both yours and your beloved old ones), psychologists have developed several simple rules. Of course, they are not a dogma or a panacea, they only give a direction in which to go in order to maintain healthy relationships in the family, peace of mind and joy from communicating with each other.

1. Prepare for the worst, but always hope for the positive. Yes, you are waiting for another painful evening next to your elderly grandmother, with her repeated long memories and complaints about “modern youth.” What if she pleasantly surprises you? No? Then let your restraint be a positive thing, because you won’t allow your beloved granny to get upset?
2. Become more active yourself. Remember when your parents were young and active, how much time they devoted to you, then still children. And now everything has changed - your parents are becoming big children who need you. What if you remember your old family traditions? Or will you come up with new ones? Yes, your beloved elders need you now just as you once needed them. Give them your love.
3. You should not try to re-educate an elderly person, especially if you intend to contrast them with some mythical grandmother who silently cooks porridge and does not bother with conversations, or a mythical grandfather who sits quietly in the corner and reads a newspaper. In response, you will only receive resentment, isolation and a sea of ​​negativity. You definitely won’t become calmer or happier from this. And your elderly parents too.
4. Be aware of your elders' experiences. Be sure to ask what they were doing while you were away, listen to their story with interest, and be sure to include some positive comments. Show that you are interested in their life, their thoughts, their concerns. And, of course, be sure to accompany an elderly person to the hospital if he needs to visit a doctor, give him a ride wherever he asks, if he needs to visit a sick old friend or have tea with a childhood friend. Give them your attention, they really need it.
5. Do not conflict with old people under any circumstances. This is useless: in such cases, older people often become aggressive, do not hear their opponent, and in anger can lead themselves to a hypertensive crisis or a heart attack. Do not try to prove something or convince an elderly person - at that moment it is useless. Just ignore the offensive word spoken to you in the heat of a quarrel, try to change the topic of conversation, somehow distract the old man.
6. Compassion, but in no case pity. Yes, these words have nothing in common. Compassion makes the one to whom it is addressed stronger, more confident, pity humiliates, makes a person weak, destroys self-respect.
7. Never argue with an older person, even if you are a priori right, you will not prove anything to him, and the microclimate in the family will be spoiled. Grandparents simply do not have enough of your attention, they want to become at least a little more significant to you, they want to be paid a little attention to them, even if it is for such a negative event. If you speak kind words to them more often, listen to them, even if in your opinion they are frivolous, empty complaints, your old people will feel much calmer.
8. Don't let your elderly relatives get bored. Let them have more positive experiences. However, we must not forget that many older people become a tasty prey for all sorts of scammers, so when taking your grandfather to the park for a walk, try to find time for a walk together. And going to a concert or performance together won’t hurt you in any way.
9. It's no one's fault that your old people became like this. Not them, not you. Therefore, you should not feel guilty that you could not help with something, just as you should not blame them for clumsiness, even if they broke or broke something due to weakness or inability. Even if this “something” is very valuable. They have very little left. Have time to tell them something very important, show them how much you love them.
10. Learn to forgive. Forgive everyone, especially older people. Don’t leave resentment and disappointment until tomorrow; remember, there are more important things in life than an unsuccessfully spoken word. Don’t put off reconciliation: for an elderly person, “tomorrow” may never come, and then you will live the rest of your life with a feeling of guilt that you didn’t have time, didn’t tell them how much you love them.

Not everyone can pay much attention to their elderly relatives. Someone due to their line of work must often go on business trips, and an elderly relative is left at home alone, someone has small children who also require a lot of effort and time, someone is sick and needs help - the circumstances are different. How to proceed? Leave the old man alone? Not an option. Hire a caregiver? This is not always the best option; an older person may be offended.

There is an exit. You can turn to the private organization “Dobro” for help and we will definitely help you place your elderly relative in one of our comfortable boarding houses designed for elderly patients. Each of our patients receives qualified medical care and care. All you have to do is call the numbers provided or leave a request on the organization’s website, and we will arrange everything in the best possible way.

Brief conclusions

Thus, the main psychological problem of aging is associated with a personal crisis and determining one’s place in life. Those who perceive aging not as the end, but as a new stage in life, lead an active life, and their emotional background is not subject to serious cataclysms. But if you or your relative are prone to reflecting on the past, then it is important to connect additional levels of care from loved ones, and sometimes professional psychological help.

Old age crisis - what is it?

In psychology, the crisis of old age is the age period associated with the transition from maturity to old age. The word “crisis” itself has an interesting explanation. It means a turning point or sharp turn that leads to an improvement or deterioration in life. It turns out that the crisis of old age is a time of adaptation to new circumstances, to one’s age and changed living conditions.

Old age is conventionally divided into 3 stages:

• 60-75 years - aging;
• 75-90 years old - old age;
• from 90 years and older - longevity.

They are otherwise called early, middle and extreme old age, respectively. A person is already retiring, receiving a new social status, looking for other activities, since most often he cannot work. Although there are those who continue to work for several more years. It is worth noting that the boundaries of these periods are indicated approximately. In old age they are blurred.

Each of the above stages of aging has its own characteristics:

1. In early old age, overcoming the crisis of old age is not difficult. Therefore, it is not considered critical. This is a kind of continuation of late maturity, when a person has already realized himself both in the profession and in the family.
2. Middle old age is akin to adolescence in adolescence. A person reconsiders values ​​and priorities, looks at the past years differently, and realizes that the end of life has begun. Psychologists consider this period critical because it is associated with depression, an acute sense of uselessness and loneliness, and loss of any interests. In especially severe cases, suicidal tendencies appear.
3. If the personal crisis is successfully overcome, extreme old age or longevity occurs. This period is associated with senile dementia. It is rare for people over the age of 90 to boast a clear mind and the ability to reflect. The main characteristics of this period are: lack of fear of death, infantilism, egocentrism, childish spontaneity and a tendency to fantasize.

It is difficult to say exactly what a person will be like during a crisis. One thing can be said - in old age his personal characteristics will sharpen. Introverts experience this time the most difficult.

Features of the old age period

The period of old age and retirement is characterized by the following changes:

• lifestyle changes;
• loss of social roles and statuses, habitual position in society;
• separation from a former significant and authoritative group;
• a sharp impoverishment of the social circle;
• change in the perception of time, abundance of free time.

The severity of the crisis is associated with the nature of work, the individual’s attitude towards work, the value of work, personal characteristics, psychological readiness, and life position.

If a person feels that he has not achieved previously established goals or cannot combine his life stages and actions into one whole, then fear of death, despair and hopelessness arise. You can avoid this through internal work on yourself, self-knowledge.

Erik Erikson identified two scenarios for overcoming the old age crisis: prosperous and dysfunctional. With successful resolution, the following is observed:

• orderliness and significance of the “I”;
• recognition of the past, a positive attitude towards experience, acceptance of the present;
• acceptance of your life path and the participants in this life;
• understanding personal responsibility in life;
• a sense of integrity with culture, time, civilization;
• wisdom (joy at the successes of the younger generation, unhindered attitude, partial concessions of one’s place).

In an unfavorable scenario for the development of the crisis, the following is observed:

• despair and hopelessness due to lack of a sense of personal integrity;
• dissatisfaction with life, understanding of its limitations;
• awareness of the impossibility of changing a negative life scenario.

An unfavorable experience of a crisis is reflected in behavior: non-acceptance and dissatisfaction with surrounding people and social institutions.

The psychological portrait of aging is difficult to determine due to the subjectivity of the process. Researchers note that personality traits and character traits are sharpened (by type of accentuation). Introverted individuals experience the aging process more acutely.

Differences between the old age crisis in men and women

The first difference lies in the time frame. According to the WHO European Bureau, old age for women begins at 55 years, and for men at 61.

The second difference relates to the purpose of the two sexes. A woman is the keeper of the home. She is usually not subject to serious demands regarding professional and social activities. In the case of men, the opposite is true. They are assigned the role of breadwinners of the family, breadwinners. Therefore, their career almost always comes first. Retirement is perceived as a personal tragedy. Because of it, the crisis of old age is intensifying.

The third difference concerns loneliness. It is easier for a woman to adapt to him. She spends her free time taking care of her family, home, grandchildren, or communicating with friends. It's more difficult for men. They often get caught up in thinking about the meaning of life, their purpose, etc. They constantly analyze whether they did the right thing in a given situation.

Typology of old age according to G. L. Ratner

Samara surgeon G.L. Ratner identifies 5 types of elderly people with whom he had to encounter during medical practice:

1. The first type consists of those people who have lost the desire to live. Therefore, they live out their last years haphazardly - without any special interests or entertainment. And especially without taking care of yourself.
2. The second type of people are lonely due to their limited interests and character. Therefore, a distinctive feature of such pensioners is grumpiness and talkativeness, despite the disinterest on the part of others.
3. The third type of people meets old age with dignity. Even despite the changes associated with age, they did not lose their independence. By the way, among such pensioners the most common are dictators and abusers.
4. The fourth type can be classified as a pensioner, spoiled by attention and care from others. Most often, it is men who become such people, and the role of their nannies is almost always played by wives or children.
5. The last type of personality is pensioners who deny their age. With their entire appearance they show their reluctance to grow old, but to be closer to the younger generation. Often among them there are people who are excessively young.

Personality types in old age

Foreign psychologists have been able to identify several personality types characteristic of old age:

1. Construction type. Characterized by internal balance, optimism, positive thinking, a critical attitude towards oneself, tolerance towards other people, high self-esteem, plans for the future, expectation of support, a positive attitude towards losing a job.
2. Dependent type. There is a good ability to adapt in completely social ways. A dependent person has no professional and personal ambitions for his future life, is prone to subordination, is completely family-oriented and hopes for help from other people.
3. Protective type. Characterized by defensive stinginess in emotions, straightforwardness in words and actions, and habits. The person has difficulty accepting help and tries to provide for himself.
4. Aggressive-accusatory type. Shifts responsibility for his own mistakes in life onto other people. Characterized by impulsiveness, suspicion, negative experiences, denial of aging, fear of death, inadequate perception of oneself and the world, negative attitude towards others.
5. Self-accusatory type. Characterized by passivity, faith in fate, depressive tendencies, lack of desire to fight difficulties, lack of initiative. The self-blaming type has a negative attitude towards life and himself, suffers from loneliness, and sees death as a release from torment.

Symptoms of the crisis

Mental and physiological processes occurring in the body slow down. It becomes more and more difficult for an elderly person to cope even with simple actions.

Speed ​​reaction

Perhaps the most important sign of an old age crisis. The nerve impulse moves more slowly, and the processing of information entering the brain slows down. E. Ya. Sternberg, who founded the school of gerontopsychiatrists, found that reduced mental activity leads to a narrowing of perception. As a result, problems with concentration begin. The mental state also worsens due to decreased tone and limited mobility.

Memory

Legends can be made about memory surprises. But in more than 90% of older people it remains in excellent condition. Yes, it may be more difficult for them to remember what is happening now. However, they remember the past very well. Surely you have heard the stories of veterans about the Great Patriotic War. Have you noticed how accurately and in chronological order they describe those events? At the same time, they mention the names and surnames of their colleagues and name settlements.

Such memories help to cope with the crisis of old age. They allow older people to return to their youth again and again, to relive pleasant moments once again. All this gives pleasure and calms, improves mood.

Attention

The situation with attention is usually worse than with memory. Have you noticed how difficult it is for older people to concentrate? They are usually absent-minded and confuse the order of events. And they understand that something is wrong with them, they suffer from it, thereby increasing the manifestations of the crisis.

Intelligence

In this matter, not everything is so clear. According to many, intellectual capabilities decrease in old age. But in reality, everything is completely different. In Seattle (USA), a massive longitudinal study was conducted over 20 years. According to him, a person’s intelligence does not change throughout his life. However, it needs constant development. If your professional activity was associated with mental work, the ability to think clearly will remain for a long time. Otherwise, it is recommended to do regular activities such as crossword puzzles.

Changes

To help a senior feel better, you need to understand a little psychology. What's going on in your neighbor's soul?

1. The appearance of voids. This is especially true for those who have always focused only on their career. Getting fired leaves a huge empty space that can easily be occupied by negativity.
2. Idealization of the past. This does not mean one’s own past, but the social one. As soon as the words are heard that young people today are not the same, the elderly seem to agree with their situation.
3. Physiological mental disorders. Usually expressed in memory impairment, slowness and absent-mindedness. When practicing mindfulness, the difference is almost unnoticeable, which is why it is so important to practice yourself.
4. Rejection of change. Due to reduced adaptability, pensioners do not accept not only new items, but also some small changes. For example, a kettle placed in the wrong place can cause a scandal. You should treat this with understanding.
5. Worsening character traits. A grumpy person becomes unbearable, a gloomy person becomes depressive, and a caring person becomes obsessive. People around you don’t always understand this, which is why they get angry. Often - completely in vain.
6. The approach of death. Fear intensifies. If in my youth death seemed distant and not very real, now it is one of the main thoughts. It is much easier in such situations for believers and successful people.

Communicating with older family members is sometimes difficult, but necessary. Don't be offended by quarrels over trifles. Try in every possible way to support your loved ones and talk. It’s not for nothing that they say that old people are like children.

Stages of development of the old age crisis

Each person experiences a crisis differently. Individuals with an active lifestyle and correct self-esteem may not even notice it. Those who suffer from self-doubt will feel all its manifestations. And if measures are not taken in time, laziness, apathy, and then depression appear.

In its development, the crisis of old age goes through 3 stages:

1. Reassessment of values, new acquaintance with the changed inner self.
2. Awareness of one's own helplessness, deterioration of physical health, loss of strength.
3. Awareness of the inevitability of aging.

The manifestations of individual stages have individual characteristics for a particular person.

Methods of psychological adaptation

For the psychological adaptation of older people, time perspective is very important. This prospect is provided by the opportunity to study and gain employment .

Although older people tend to be more oriented towards the past, when planning their work activities it is also possible to be oriented towards the future. This perspective allows an elderly person to make certain plans, relieves depression and fear of death, helps to overcome illnesses, as it gives confidence in the future and opens up ways to achieve real goals.

It is important to make older people feel needed again, interesting interlocutors, to reveal hidden potential and increase interest in life. This is the basis for the work of social and charitable institutions. They create various clubs, sections, training seminars, interest clubs and thematic events. All these events are aimed at one thing - to help a person adapt and find a new meaning in life.

Another method of psychological adaptation can be the biographical method.

, which is considered quite effective for motivating the life activity of people who have entered late adulthood.

Using this method, an elderly person gets the opportunity to share his life experience, talking about the peculiarities of his destiny and at the same time can understand how his past influenced the formation of his present.

The process of remembering itself, even without its in-depth psychological analysis, can give a very strong psychotherapeutic effect and contribute to the emergence of a positive self-perception.

Thus, the formation of a positive perception of old age, the elderly person’s awareness of a sense of social demand, active and socially significant participation in the life of society helps to reduce the negative phenomena of the aging process.