Successful Aging: A Psychological Analysis

Aging and being old has been dominated by negative characteristics and conditions such as illness, depression, and isolation for a long time. At first glance the terms “success” and “aging” seem to be in conflict with each other. When asking people about aging, their answers have many facets that are also found in psychological definitions: successful aging is seen as health, maturity and personal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generativity, coping, and acceptance of age-related limitations. In the psychological sense successful aging is also often seen as the absence of age-associated characteristics seems that successful aging means is not aging.

Today, I interviewed Laquita Lanier. When I asked, “How old she was?” She replied that

She was “62 years old.” She lives in Richmond, Virginia. When I told her about my assignment, she was excited. She is very special to me, because she is kind, caring, wise and because we have a lot of things in common. The second question I wanted to ask her was what was one good thing about being an older adult? She Said “One good thing about being an older adult is that over the years, I have learned patience and have gained a lot of wisdom.” The next question I asked her was what was one bad thing about being an older person? She responded “ I don’t really think there is anything ‘bad’ about being an older adult. It’d really a blessing to become an older adult.” When I asked her if she had experienced any chronic diseases, and if so what was it like to live with them? She said, “ Yes, I have been diagnosed with Diabetes. I have had to change my eating habits, but I try to be positive and proactive in doing what is necessary to make sure I stay ahead of this disease.”
I also asked her if she took any medication, and if she did, did she find it frustrating, and why or why not?

She replied that “Yes,I do take several different medications a day. I don’t particularly find it frustrating. I realize this is something I have to do for my health.” When I asked her if she had any trouble eating any particular foods, She then replied “ No, not really. Foods are usually not a problem for me. I then asked if she exercised. She responded, “Probably not as much as I should. It’s somewhat difficult for me because of my disability issues, but I try to exercise certain parts of my body whenever I possible.” When I asked her if she is afraid of one day being in a nursing home, she replied, “Yes, I am because I have been living alone for a very long time, and, I’ve always been able to take care of myself, and do everything for myself. The thought of that type of freedom being taken away scares me.” Another question that I wanted to ask was if she still cooked for herself, what was her favorite meal to prepare, and did she enjoy being able to cook? She said, “ Yes, I still cook for myself, and I enjoy doing it. My favorite meals to cooks that I enjoy preparing is Baked BBQ Chicken and Roasted Red Potatoes.” As my interview came to an end I asked my final question. I asked her, “ If you could start your life over again, what would you change? And Why?” She replied, “ 1. I would have gone to college directly after high school graduation instead of waiting.

2. I would not have gotten married at 19 years old ( Big No No). and 3. I would have gotten a good job and stuck with it and retired from it so that I would be able to draw my social security and have a sizeable to draw from. I would have waited until I was more mature to handle a marriage and what comes along with it. I would have experienced life more than what I did. At 19 years old you really don’t know a lot about life, you may think you know, but you don’t”.