Interview With an Old Person

Question: 1.What is your perception about life at this state of age? 2.What is most important for you at this point of age? 3.How the society based supports can help you to deal with your life at this point of age? 4.What are the improvements the society needs to consider? 5.What is your comment on the perception of the societies about the old age people? Answer: Introduction Old age is one of the stages of human life, which shades light on the human beliefs, experience, and attitudes (Sigelman Rider, 2014).The old age explores the self-perceptions about the life of the desired ages. The boundaries created between the middle and old age sometimes influences the mind of an individual (Thimann, 2013). However, the study will be discussing the perception of the 72 years old female, Sarah Williams. She is a retired old woman living alone in a community. Her only son is settled in another country with his family and Mrs. Williams is thus living all by herself. The interview questions will determine her perception about life at this age. Apart from this, the questions will be reflecting the perspective value of the society. Sarah Williams will even present a discussion on required improvisation that the society needs to acquire. The entire discussion is presented further: 1. The old age people need much social support (Nowotny, Scott Gibbons, 2013). In a conversation, Sarah Williams, the lady of 72 years age, presented her perception about her current life. She stated that the old age life is one stage when the people become mentally and physically weak. Moreover, during such stage of life, people become keen to get back to their desired age. The supports received from the society can create the positive influence. In fact, she also mentioned that most of the supports come from the members of the family. It is to be noted that the old age creates the physical and psychological obligation (Tinker, 2014). It is true that the old age people gain the experiences in life and they can better understand the consequences of reality. In such regards, she also defined that many of the times, the family members fail to provide the supports to the elderly persons. Due to the excessive stress, depression, anxiety, financial problem, death, and illness, the family members cannot provide the proper supports to the elderly persons. During such times, the community or society based supports are necessary (Romo et al. 2013). 2. According to Mrs Williams, the basic need of a person at this point of age is the supports from the family and society. The changes in the mental and physical state of an elderly person are inevitable. Most of the old age people loos their friends during this stage of life. Hence, Mrs. Williams revealed that the elderly people become much vulnerable towards the crime or risks of attacks. They are not physically and mentally strong like other young people. Therefore, the emotional supports and care are required for them. In fact, she also mentioned that due to the weaker health position, old age people unable to work to bear their personal expenses. The financial support is thus also required for the shelter and food. She raised another concern about the requirements. The religious activities make their mind peaceful. Hence, she mentioned that the religious place is much required for an elderly person. A communication with other people is necessary to free them from the mental obli gation. 3. Mrs. Williams presented her concerns about the community-based supports. She stated that the social supports are the last hope for the elderly persons. She exclaimed that many of the family fail to maintain the responsibility of the elder members. In such cases, it is important to receive supports from any social centre. They need a proper shelter and food for their living. She mentioned another concern about the religious purpose. Most of the old age people are much devoted to the religious purposes. They usually seek a place where they can spend their quality time with a peaceful mind. In such purposes, the community based assistance is required. 4. In the interview, Mrs Williams stated that in this modernised society, the younger generations follow the latest trends. Therefore, this young generation is unable to understand the basic need of the old-aged members of the family. In fact, she also stated that people are too busy and they usually do not get time for the older people. Moreover, they cannot keep patience to communicate with an elderly person. The essence of disappointment was quite reflected through her statement about the behaviour of the current society. Hence, she has presented several concerns that can improve such scenario in society that has been affecting the mental health of the older persons. She mentioned that increasing self-awareness is essential for improving the quality of life and satisfaction. Engaging the older people with social activities can encourage them to live with full satisfaction. Some of the activities like journal writing, reading books, singing classes, and group exercise can create th e positive influence on the minds of the elderly persons. They feel more energetic when they can participate in such social activities. Much more concerns about the family members and the society can help the old age people to live with mental satisfaction. 5. Mrs. Williams described that the younger generation is much fascinated by the modernised world. On the other hand, the old age people are much vulnerable towards every situation. They are much insecure, as they are not so much strong. Little security, adjustment, and patience are required to deal with the elderly person. Mrs. Williams stated that, the people in the society are moving fast with the advanced generations. Therefore, their patience level is also decreasing gradually. On the contrary, the old age people need much attention and try to communicate. They provide advices, as they are much experienced about the reality. However, Mrs. Williams think that the society cannot tolerate their interference to some extent. Therefore, they usually face some of mistreatment from the young generation. However, a little concerns and patience can deal with such situation. References Nowotny, H., Scott, P. B., Gibbons, M. T. (2013).Re-thinking science: Knowledge and the public in an age of uncertainty. John Wiley Sons. Romo, R. D., Wallhagen, M. I., Yourman, L., Yeung, C. C., Eng, C., Micco, G., ... Smith, A. K. (2013). Perceptions of successful aging among diverse elders with late-life disability.The Gerontologist,53(6), 939-949. Sigelman, C. K., Rider, E. A. (2014).Life-span human development. Cengage Learning. Thimann, K. (2013).A Good Old Age: Experiencing a Satisfying Life(Doctoral dissertation, Boise State University). Tinker, A. (2014).Older people in modern society. Routledge.