Senility and Maturity: Psychosocial Aspects of Aging

Abstract

This meeting has been convened out of concern for the impact on the elderly of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This paper will present an overview of the psychosocial aspects of aging and will emphasise the theme of development, regarding aging as part of the continuum of life. The perspective is that of a psychiatrist, and the theme echoes Jarvik’s salutary reminder that ‘elderly designates a heterogeneous group of persons united by chronologic age, but not necessarily by physiologic, psychologic, or social functioning.’ (1) We may focus on the development and experience of the individual, but at no age or stage of life is a man ‘entire of himself’ (2), and any consideration of aging must take into account the context of the society and times in which the man lives. Here ‘man’ denotes a ‘person’; John Donne was referring to mankind, and the human experience. In this context, we may have to distinguish between person, man, or woman, in order to recognise differences in psychological and physiological development, and socio-cultural experience of men and of women. In our day and age, many of the issues of aging — becoming old, being old, caring for the old — are women’s issues. Planners of health care services and individual care givers are beginning to recognize the importance of the interactions between the individual and society, and the necessity of considering each individual and environment.