Older Adult Interview Paper

Interview with Older Adult

Uriah Rygula

University of St. Francis

Introduction

An interview was arranged with an older adult to discuss issues related to aging. The interview was designed to gain appreciation and understanding of an older adult. One theory of aging came into mind when I thought about this topic. Erik Erikson Life-Course and Personality Development theory, “Erikson described the task of old age as balancing the search for integrity and wholeness with a sense of despair.” NS is the older adult that I conducted the interview with. I’ve decided to pick NS to interview because she is very positive about life and her age. Everything that I have come across about aging is negative such as depression, isolation, and illness.

I have known NS since I was a little girl. NS has been my grandmother’s best friend since the eighth grade. She is a divine woman, and it’s a pleasure getting know more about her.

Background Information
NS is 70-year-old female that has been married for 50 years.

NS was born in raised in Poland; she came to the United States when she was 7 years old. Her first language is West Slavic, which only a small portion of Poland speaks. NS support system is her husband who collects disability from an injury that happened at work. She also gets support from her son, and daughter in law. Her son is a computer technician and daughter in law is a stay at home mom. Lastly, herself she gets support from social security. She was sixth grade English teacher for 27 years at Clifford Jr. High, now she is a retired. She currently resides in Aurora, IL and lives with her son, daughter in law, grandchildren, and her

husband.

NS thoughts about philosophy of aging
When asking the question, “ Do you consider yourself old,” NS replied, “I can never be old, because I’m always going to be young at heart.” NS has three grandchildren, and two of them she lives with. NS says, “My grandchildren won’t allow me to get old.” NS also stated that she did realize that she was getting older at the age 59. It became harder for her to stand up for eight hours in classroom. It was taking a toll on her knees, and she couldn’t settle for just sitting in a chair to teach. She loved to move around, and make learning fun, but that didn’t stop her from helping her students succeed. Her positive view about aging is that it’s a beautiful thing, and a natural part of life. There are two privileges in the aging process, which are wisdom and experience. NS negative aspect of aging was quite funny. When I asked her the question she laughed and replied, “Buying grandma underwear, and finding a bra that fits me comfortably without having to look like I’m from the 1920’s.” I was expecting to hear about her health, or daily activities, but that reply showed me how much she appreciates life. She also indicated that she has never experienced any discrimination with her age.
I asked NS what was the biggest change you have seen in how people conduct their everyday lives. She replied, “ Now a days the pace is way faster then what it was before, people are on the go, go, go. There is never a moment in my home where I see my son, or daughter in law take a break, sit down and actually enjoy themselves.” She also added that in today’s era there is a lot more electronics. She said, “I can’t have a conversation with my son without his phone being in his face.” I asked NS what have been the best years of your life? She responded on September 9th, 1965 is when she married the love of her life. A couple months after they’re wedding they traveled to France, Spain, and Poland where he met some of her relatives. In July
1971 they brought their son into world, three years later they welcomed their daughter into the world.

Some of her best years were caring for her children. When her daughter entered the first grade NS decided that it was time for her to go back to school as well. In 1984 NS graduated college with her teaching degree, and retired at age 66. Her best years weren’t over yet. Her daughter welcomed her first child in 2009, and a year later her son welcomed his first-born. She had two beautiful grandchildren that kept her young, but that wasn’t the last of grandchildren. Nine months after her second grandchild, her son welcomed a baby girl in 2011. She stated, “It was a blessing to have them one after the other. Every time I turned around there was grandchild being born. I was in grandma heaven.” I asked what are your plans for the future, she replied, “ Watching my beautiful grandchildren grow, spending as much time with them as possible because before you know it they’ll be grown and have families of their own. Also enjoying my time with my husband. In September marks our 50th year anniversary, and I can’t wait to spend it with

family.”
Lastly, I asked NS what advice would you give young people to help them prepare for their old age? She replied, “The advice I would give young people to prepare them for old age is get a good education. Save your money the material things aren’t worth it. Don’t try to out do the next person be yourself and people will love you because of that. Invest in something that can help you out long term. Always be compassionate, caring, and always take responsibility. Treat your body right because it will haunt you later in life. Put down the McDonald’s, and make a fresh home cook meal. Lastly, always enjoy life now matter what it brings you. Take the good with the bad, and always treasure your family because they will be there when you need them to be.
Health and Wellness
NS rates her health status as excellent. She feels for a seventy year old, that her health is in perfect status. She doesn’t have any serious medical problems other than her knees hurting when standing for a long period of time, and she was never a smoker or drinker. NS is basing her rating on physical health and psychological health. NS stated, “ My health status is based on both physical and psychological because I see health as what is physically shown, and psychologically is based how I act everyday. So I believe they both play a big significant part in ones health.”
A typical day for NS is waking up at six in the morning doing stretches, eating breakfast, which always consists two egg whites, wheat toast, and a glass of milk. After breakfast she walks her two grandchildren to school, so her daughter in law can relax. Then after her walk she comes home to rest her knees for an hour, then begins cleaning. NS states that even though her house is very well organized its good exercise. Occasionally NS and her husband play a game of scramble. Later in the afternoon she enjoys taking a nap, afterwards she does 30 minutes of exercise on a stationary bike. When she finishes her exercise she eats a small snack, then it is time to pick up her grandchildren. When she gets home from picking up her grandchildren she helps her daughter in law prepare dinner. After the dinner dishes are put away she watches TV with her husband for a little while. After a couple of hours she takes a shower, and is ready for bed.
Conclusion of the Interview
The intention of this interview was to develop a philosophy of aging, and more importantly gain appreciation and understanding of an older adult. I have many thoughts about aging, and this interview changed my whole outlook on older adults. NS is a very independent person. She does not let her age affect her day-to-day activities. She stated that she could never get old because she is young at heart. That kind of attitude shows me that you’re only as old as you feel, and I hope I can have the same attitude when I become that age. I’ve learned from NS that treating your body right such as exercising, eating healthy, and being active well help with age. Also I have learned acceptance not only of age, but more so of life events. NS faced many obstacles in her years. She came from a different country, and barely spoke English. It was very hard for her to make friends, and was teased a lot because of her accent. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop her from becoming the person she is today.
During the interview I felt at ease. I think it was because I’ve known her so long, and I felt comfortable going into more detail with the questions. My perception of aging was chronic illness, depression, and isolation. Many things in society make it seem like aging is a bad thing. I know now that aging is a part of life more importantly it’s a beautiful thing that is what I learned for NS. My philosophy of aging is aging is inevitable. There is a time in our lives when we can’t wait to get older, then fast forward a couple of decades, and wish you could be younger again. In reality age is just a number it doesn’t define your character or ability. What defines your character is what you surround yourself with, such as family, good humor, and love. Life is not measured by months, or years it’s measured by moments.