Old age is the period of a person’s life from the loss of the body’s ability to procreate to death. It is characterized by deterioration of health, mental abilities, attenuation of body functions.
Before this period of life (women — from 55 years old, men — from 60 years old), citizens of the Russian Federation, in accordance with the modern Constitution, are supposed to retire. But there are also a lot of working pensioners.
Old age is divided into several shorter periods of a person’s life:
- Advanced (old) age (61–71 for men, 56–74 for women).
- Senile age (71–90 for men, 74–90 for women).
- The age of longevity (75-90) — due to the attenuation of body functions, ends in death.
Attempts to define
The term old age cannot be precisely defined, as the term has different meanings in different societies. In many parts of the world, people are considered old because of some changes in their activity and social role. For example, people may be considered old when they become grandparents, or when they start doing less work. In Russia, in Europe, in the USA and in many other countries, people are considered old when they have lived a certain number of years.
There are many stereotypes around old people, for example: they use sticks for walking, often visit doctors, sleep a lot. These opinions are superficial and not entirely true. Most old people move easily, take care of themselves. Although, with the advent of old age, people become more susceptible to disease.
Dementia is an acquired dementia that requires specific treatment at different stages of this disease. It does not always manifest itself in old age, and can also manifest itself in the birth itself, which is considered the mental retardation of the child.
Psychology of the elderly
What can be said about the changes in the personality of an elderly person, especially an old person? What can be attributed to typical manifestations? Most often, negative, negative characteristics are named, from which such a psychological “portrait” of an old person could turn out. Decreased self-esteem, self-doubt, dissatisfaction with oneself; fear of loneliness, helplessness, impoverishment, death; gloom, irritability, pessimism; a decrease in interest in the new — hence the grumbling, grouchiness; locking interests on oneself — selfishness, self-centeredness, increased attention to one’s body; uncertainty about the future — all this makes old people petty, stingy, overcautious, pedantic, conservative, lacking initiative, etc. Fortunately, this portrait is neither accurate nor fair. See →