Essay On Late Adult Development

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Pages: 4

During late adulthood people transition into the final chapter of development, which is characterized by a process of reminiscing over one’s life, and coming to terms with the choices they made, and the direction those choices have taken them to lead to the last phase of life. My Grandma is turning 70 this month, and has a hopeful outlook for the future, she faces death with open arms and is ready for her Eternal life. Grandma lives by the mentality that, “Life on Earth is a tiny wisp, the Eternal life is waiting, and I embrace this change.” As we chatted this week we touched on Robert Peck’s developmental stages, the first stage in the elderly is the redefinition of self-versus preoccupation with work role. After working for many years in the banking industry, Grandma retired to stay home with her husband, mother, and …show more content…
She readjusted her values and placed more importance on family and church. She finds pride and self-esteem in volunteering, working in the yard, and spending time with her family. The second stage of development is body transcendence-versus body preoccupation, Grandma leads an active life, she says “I still feel 35, although I am going to be 70 this year, I have spirit.” She considers herself lucky that she has not had any major health issues besides two hip replacements that have limited her activity level. Although she feels young internally, she has a hard time coping with the fact she can no longer walk or stand for long periods of time, she wishes that she hadn’t waited to fulfill her bucket list. “If I had any advice for younger people, it would be to not wait, you can always have more money, more success, but every day we get a day older.” Despite her physical limitations, she is dealing with it and moving forward with her life. She has accepted that she can’t and shouldn’t push her body farther than possible. The third stage of development is ego transcendence-versus ego preoccupation, being a