Aging, Death, and Bereavement in behavioral sciences
Old Age
stage of ego integrity versus despair
person either has satisfaction and pride of life accomplishments
Or feels that His/Her was wasted her.
Stages of grief
Five stages:
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
2. Old Age
stage of ego integrity versus
despair
◦person either has satisfaction and
pride of life accomplishments
◦Or feels that His/Her was wasted
her.
3. Benefits of Aging
freedom from the responsibilities
pursue interests and education that they
did not have time for when they were
younger.
4. Losses of aging
Less valuable
Death of loved ones
Declines in health and strength
changes associated with aging can
contribute to the development of
depression
5. Neurotransmitter availability in the brain
decreases with age.
This decrease occurs via several
mechanisms.
First, secretion of the major behavioral
neurotransmitters diminishes.
Also, concentration of monoamine oxidase
increases, leading to the accelerated
breakdown of some of these
neurotransmitters.
Finally, neurotransmitter receptors may
be less responsive in the aging brain.
7. Psychosocial changes in aging
health problems associated with aging not
only are uncomfortable, but they can have
serious emotional and social
consequences.
◦ embarrassing problem of reduced bladder
control seen in some aging patients can impair
one's ability to leave home.
8. Age-associated losses in muscle strength
and in sensory functions like vision and
hearing can further decrease social
opportunities and increase social isolation
Psychosocial changes in aging
19. To feel great sadness after the loss of a
loved one or in anticipation of one's own
death.
This normal reaction is called
bereavement.
20. Normal vs Complicated bereavement
Normal grief and complicated grief are
characterized initially by shock
Denial tends to last up to a few hours in
normal grief, the denial of abnormal grief
may persist over days or weeks.
Both normal grief and abnormal grief
include sadness, crying, and other
expressions of sorrow, particularly in the
early stages .
21. In normal grief, these expressions
gradually subside over a 1- to 2-year
period.
However, they commonly and normally
recur on holidays or special occasions, a
phenomenon called the anniversary
reaction.
22. In complicated grief, the characteristics of
bereavement persist and may even
intensify over time.