Forum (Spotlight Weekly)

Psychology Of Old Age

By DR.NIRANJAN PRASAD UPADHYAY

Ageing is a natural process that influences the individual, family and society in different ways. In old age, people seem to be depressed because of a variety of causes. The elderly often find themselves deprived of the company of family members. This feeling leads to poor mental health. As a result, the person's memory declines and he or she lacks the ability to cope within society.

Nepalese society has traditionally respected the elderly for, among other things, their wisdom and experience. In the Ninth Plan (1997-2002), the government for the first time incorporated a strategy to improve the life of the elderly in accordance with their needs. Emphasis has been given to strengthening self-respect, economic opportunities, respect and social security for the elderly. The oldest old home in Kathmandu is the Pashupati
Briddha Ashram, which was established more than 130 years ago by the government. It has been providing without charge shelter to about 180 senior citizens.

A study in the Nepalese Journal of Psychiatry found that multiple medical problems often coexist in old age. Those aged between 65 and 74 years underwent an average of 4.6 types of chronic conditions. Fifty percent suffered from activities of some sort, while 34 percent were forgetful. Thirty-three percent reported constant back pain, while 32 percent had poor vision. Twenty-nine percent complained of digestive disorders and 28 percent
had respiratory problems.

For the most part, Nepalese management scholars and related ministries have not conducted scientific studies on senior citizens. It is vital to bring out scientific research through the concerned ministries and relevant non-government organizations in order to chalk out appropriate policies and programs.

The World Health Organization considers active ageing the process of optimizing physical, mental and well-being throughout the life course in order to extend healthy life expectancy, productivity and quality of life. In the Nepalese context, the elderly are obliged to be active for their livelihood. They are busy at home in various ways, such as caring for infants and children, guarding the home, monitoring farm activities and offering daily prayers.

Psychologically, happiness in old age depends upon fulfillment of the "three A's" - acceptance, affection, and achievement. When any one of these is unfulfilled, it is difficult for the elderly to be happy. The almost universal hazard to adjustment in old age is loneliness. One of the most common causes of loneliness in old age is loss of spouse.

Mental fitness is of prime importance to each individual. For the most part, human beings lead a well-off life based on mental health. Mental health is a vital element of health through which a person realizes his or her own cognitive, affective and relational abilities within a balanced mental position. With sound mental health, one is more effective in coping with the strains of life. Moreover, he or she can work effectively as well as fruitfully. In fact, sound mental health exhibits the normal personality of the individual.

The general feeling is that the elderly should stop working and should relax. This kind of feeling, in turn, pushes ageing citizens toward hopelessness, as they start to feel that they have became a burden to the family. Ultimately, this leads to physical ailments as well as depression.

Research suggests that retired citizens must engage in physical as well as mental work as long as their body and mind permit. Generally, giving up work raises physical handicaps, feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of social contacts, isolation and boredom. Accordingly, a retired person is usually unhappy, and he or she makes his or her family unhappy as well.

Mental health researchers watch that some individuals respond to their life stress with emotional disorders (depression, isolation, stress, and adjustment problem) and others with behavioral disorders (crying, lying, and leaving home). Retirement has been categorized by some as a "role-less role". "It leads to mental as well as physical illness and, sometimes, premature death.

Elizabeth B. Hurlock, an eminent psychologist, says earlier experiences, satisfaction of needs, retention of old friendships, social attitudes, personal attitudes, method of adjustment, health conditions, living conditions and economic conditions influence adjustment to old age.

Most old people are prone to mental diseases. Normally, the elderly suffer from neurosis (minor mental disorder) as well as psychosis (major mental disorder). In the context of old age psychology, mental heath researchers say people involved in work even after retirement are mentally healthier than those in full retirement. Females get happiness from enhanced mental health than males.

Psychologists say four factors - current work status, educational qualification, financial status and living status - affect the mental health of retired people. They suggest that part-time, short time, full-time activities should be arranged for retired people.

Retired individuals living with their wife and children have better mental health and show less stress, as they can share their trouble. Modern psychologists postulate that controlled family support makes retirees' experience uneasy, isolated and dull. Sociologists, too, stress that departure from job is mostly not by choice. It is a societal creation of old age.

Ageing experts say retired or elderly people undergo torture in many ways: physical (bruises, fractures, lacerations, burns, etc), psychological (threats, insults, harassment, withholding affection etc.), financial (misuse of vulnerable adults income etc.) and medical (withholding medications).

Amnesty International (1975) describes torture as the systematic and deliberate infliction of acute pain in any form. Nepalese psychiatrist Nirakar Man Shrestha points out that the environment of the family, community, state and the particular group can modify the effect of torture. Basically, a supportive, sympathetic and friendly environment helps to minimize the effects of torture.

Old age is a continuous process. So, the government should impart effective programs for the elderly. On the other hand, senior citizens must get involved in work according to their interests and education. Furthermore, they need to be appropriately looked after by family members. Principally, the elderly have a wealth of experience that must be shared in the government's project planning and policy formulation.

(Dr. Upadhyay is chief psychologist at the Public Service Commission)