A living environment for the elderly

Abstract

Among Western societies today – which form the basis of our consideration – there are no consistent definitions of old age. From the demographic and sociological point of view, people who are over sixty-five years of age are considered as aged. However, a substantial percentage of persons who are in their sixties, do not consider themselves old. Apart from its demographic and sociological aspects, old age, can be considered as a biological phenomenon since the elderly person’s organism displays certain characteristics. From this point of view ageing is a process of loss of vital energy, even though this process is not restricted to the aged. Old age brings about value-system change. People in today’s industrial society tend to live to a ripe old age. However, this implies that they live beyond the age at which they would be active or accepted in social roles. Old age is seen as a blessing when life is valued, but, it is also dreaded due to its limitations and due to the fact that at times it implies rejection by society. Ideally old ag is an opportunity for a final maturation of the personality. The routine of active work and duty is past, and one has enough time to pause for reflection. One has the opportunity of thoughtful detachment. On the other hand, one can consider ageing as a period of decline. Losses of all kinds are suffered, which had not been previously experienced. Many are those who are psychologically unprepared for all this, yet many others are strong enough to bear all the hardships that come their way. Ageing implies problems, yet one should not assume that becoming old is always a problem, or that ageing is an inevitable, sad human destiny. Apart from difficulties and limitations, old age has its own potentials which can be exploited for the benefit of both the aged themselves and of society as a whole. We should all help old people in their needs and offer them the possibility of realising their potentialities. For this end one should consider both the aged as individuals and their relation to society. Old age is applicable to both man and woman, hence unless otherwise stated, the term ‘he’ also refers to ‘she’ (e.g. his/her life).