Photographs as aids in eliciting existential themes in cognitively intact elderly adults

Abstract

Better overall quality of life in developed countries through advances in health and nutrition have resulted in persons living much longer on average (Rowe & Kahn, 1997). This increase in the number of older persons necessitates further understanding of the important psychological issues pertaining specifically to elderly adulthood. These issues may have important implications for intervention studies aimed at fostering successful ageing in a number of spheres. These include the development of specific therapeutic interventions and social programmes which aim at increasing adjustment and psychological wellbeing amongst the elderly. The use of projective techniques has been shown to be useful to understand such issues (Hayslip & Lowman, 1986). Rodenhauser, Strickland & Gambala (2004) have described the arts as having a valuable role in providing a space for reflection and gaining insight in dealing with salient issues in the elderly, such as death and dying.