Growing Old: The Role Of Personality Changes In The Elderly

Growing old is a process every individual goes through. There are different beliefs that shape how individuals relate to older people, and this may be based on either fact or myth. In most cases, the general perception on generation gaps is usually biased and a lot of false assumptions are made about seniors. Some commonly held myths about aging include physical disability with age, mental decline, forgetfulness, and the inability to learn new things or change. Research has been conducted to examine various areas of late adulthood functioning for such myths. The myth: “As people get older, they get more set in their ways and will not change” is examined.

Studies on human personality indicate that people’s personalities significantly differ

The data obtained was representative of the population and showed that below the age of 30 and beyond the age of 70, there were more personality changes than any other stage of life. Researchers were surprised to find out that personality changes were significant in old age. According to the findings, an estimated 25 percent of people over the age of 70 underwent a significant personality change. Moreover, this change did not follow a recognizable pattern. The researchers were quick to point out that some possible explanations for this shift in personalities such as retirement and health changes can be discarded. However, further investigation on how changes in everyday life and attitudes towards life affect these changes in personality in the elderly are still underway. (Specht, Luhman, and Geiser,

These negative perceptions such as the inability to change amongst the elderly may result in discrimination and prejudice towards them. These negative views on one’s aging may cause poor health, lower self-esteem and lower the wellbeing of an individual. It is thus essential to seek intervention to promote positive views on aging through research. Research such as those conducted by psychologists to resolve the myths surrounding aging such as the inability to change may go a long way in making people have a positive view on aging. Especially for the case where the findings of the research render the myth inaccurate. However, research alone may not be sufficient to change the stereotypes about aging. This calls for the use of the media to publish the findings of such research articles to reach most people. This research can be used to change employment policies for the elderly such that their ability to learn and to change should be considered during employment. Such changes in perception and policy on the elderly would benefit society in that, the elderly will be less distressed by the society’s perception and thus they will be more healthy and resourceful to the