Introduction
It’s extremely difficult to develop a theory that is not based on one’s own value system, or to develop one that does not judge others through the lens of one’s own view; however, to achieve a true understanding of another it seems that seeing things from their perspective is imperative.
In the first part of this series (Negative Attitudes About Aging: Where Do They Come From?), I discussed the negative view that Western culture holds toward aging, but as promised I will now look at a theory that has a more positive outlook -- gerotranscendence. The theory of gerotranscendence was developed by actually talking to the elderly as they reflected on their own aging.
Definition
Gerotranscendence is a change in the way the elderly view themselves and the world. An aging individual moves away from a focus on materialistic and rational thinking to a more holistic, spiritual view. Along with this change comes an increase in life satisfaction.
Recognizing Characteristics of Gerotranscendence:
- The elderly person may begin to have a new feeling of cosmic communion with the spirit of the universe.
- The meaning of time, space, life and death change.
- There may be a new definition of self.
- There may be a decreased interest in material things and a greater need for solitude.
These characteristics can be divided into three easily identifiable categories:
- The cosmic dimension
- The self dimension
- The dimension of social and personal relations
The Cosmic Dimension
Time and childhood
The border between past and present becomes blurred as an individual ages. Childhood may be seen in a new and more peaceful way. The older person may begin to feel a greater connection to previous generations.
An elder going through this type of change might be viewed as moving toward wisdom in some cultures, but in the West there is a danger that this might be seen as the early stages of dementia.
Life and death
When an elderly person enters gerotranscendence the fear of death disappears. The person begins to take great joy in the small things in life.
Tornstam, a geriatric researcher, questioned nursing home staff about observing the phenomenon of joy over every day things. He found that staff had indeed observed this, but it was greeted with pity. ("Oh, well, the poor dears don’t have anything else so a sunset makes them happy.") There are, of course, other more positive ways to interpret this joy in the everyday.
The Self Dimension
