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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
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Imagine what it must be like for people to feel as though they do not matter. Imagine being in a restaurant or a professional's office and feeling invisible. Researchers long ago recognized that living life without feeling noticed or appreciated by others was one of the worst-case scenarios for people of any age.1
Older people often indicate that they feel "invisible" and unappreciated. In a society that reveres youth and ridicules aging it is human nature to assume aging leads only to failing capabilities and losses. As a result, many people overlook the upside and benefits of aging.
When older adults accept the negative it often results in feelings of diminished self-worth and depressive symptoms. These and other negative emotions reduce quality of life, wellbeing and longevity. A study conducted by researchers at Harvard, Yale and Miami (Ohio) universities found that those who had positive perceptions of aging lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with cloudier outlooks.2 This reinforces the importance of helping people achieve a more positive attitude about aging.
Perhaps stereotypes perceived about older people as behaving grouchy or irritable arise from emotional distress that is experienced and internalized. These behaviors are often incorrectly viewed by seniors, families, or professionals as normal personality changes that accompany aging.
Because feelings and emotions are integral to the holistic nature and are linked to wellbeing, it is important to understand that wellness depends on how people of all ages balance the mind, body and spiritual dimensions. Emotional wellness involves balancing feelings and managing stress and transitions. However, we understand that for some older adults, age-related changes may increase risk factors that result in additional stressors that overwhelm coping skills and lead to greater vulnerability to negative emotions, dispiritedness, and emotional distress.
To help enhance emotional wellness, older adults, families, and professionals need to understand the characteristics linked to "emotional vitality" discovered by researchers which include:
Professionals working with older people need to become educated about the risk factors of emotional distress and dispiritedness. We also need to encourage a broad range of positive emotions such as happiness, contentment and gratitude, and discourage negative emotions such as sadness and frustration.5 When we work with older adults who demonstrate negative emotions and behaviors, we need to provide emotional support, help them recognize their strengths and accomplishments, and motivate them to focus on their own capabilities and possibilities.
If necessary, we need to refer older adults to mental health professionals for life coaching or in-depth assistance to manage their emotional distress in order to enhance their wellness. Research suggests that emotional support and mastery (coping and being able to manage everyday life) are linked to decreased mortality in older adults.6
GERO GEMS is a monthly publication of the Center for Aging with Dignity. Compiled by Evelyn Fitzwater, this publication is designed to raise awareness of aging and related issues impacting health care professionals and our society as a whole.
Last Reviewed: Oct 30, 2008
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Evelyn L. Fitzwater, DSN, RN Associate Professor Emerita Associate Director, Center for Aging with Dignity College of Nursing University of Cincinnati |
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Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
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