The top 5 fears
As much as people wish to stay youthful and no matter the lengths we go to remain young, some degree of depressing thoughts about aging linger in most of our minds. Mental and physical decline, losing loved ones & being alone, not being able to financially support oneself or loved ones, becoming a burden or dependent on family members and friends and ultimately death are the most common fears older adults experience.
The perceptions, experiences, and interpretations of an individual’s own aging process also contribute to the development of a fear. Aging is a process that is related to but distinct from each individual’s concept of physical self, social self, personal identity, personal experience, attitude towards aging, and age stereotypes. The experience of the passing of time is fundamental to the human condition, and how one perceives living well throughout old age is highly subjective.
Aging is often associated with poor health, particularly the onset and progression of chronic illness such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Aging can entail multiple losses, including the loss of work (through retirement) and physical functioning.
There have been considerable studies on psychosocial gerontology examining how individuals retain and reshape their self concept as they age. However, the concepts of the aging self and one’s personal sense of aging as well as how much importance one places on the signs of aging, its attributes, and the inevitability of physical decline that comes with aging are relatively new.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet, cancer is the disease feared most by the majority of people. Cognitive impairment and dementia is another health concern expressed by older individuals. Attitudes towards this illness, such as fears of memory loss, losing independence, and burdening family members and society are deeply embedded in people’s cultural biographies and life experiences.
Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent type of dementia, is known not only for its negative effect on the quality of life of patients and caregivers but also for the stigma surrounding it, which is attributable to a lack of understanding of the disease.The World Alzheimer Report estimates that 46.8 million people currently live with dementia worldwide. More than 9.9 million new cases are recorded annually and these numbers are projected to increase to 74.7 million by 2030 and 131.5 million by 2050; people living in Asia will account for nearly half of these cases.
Death anxiety can form a basic fear underlying certain psychological conditions and is a uniquely human dilemma that can consciously or unconsciously impact a person’s everyday life domains and functioning. Anxiety about death can be influenced by how individuals are able to see themselves from a true perspective; this in turn affects one’s ability to see dying in a positive or negative light.
Studies show that fear of death is positively related to low self-esteem, feeling that one has little purpose in life, and poor mental well-being; a fear of death is negatively related to happiness. Young people generally have negative perceptions of elderly adults and tend to view aging as a negative process that involves depression, stress, regrets, weight gain, becoming less active, and mid-life crisis. In contrast, older people have either a positive or a negative view of aging. Generally older adults view aging as being accompanied by both losses (physical and social) and by gains, such as more freedom and time for new interests and social activities.
Why does understanding fear matter?
Senior care businesses often focus on securing a new client and fail to develop a deeper more intimate understanding of their needs. Think about a time you hired a new professional, especially in healthcare. There are skill sets they must possess to perform the job. There are also soft skills and attitudes that can make the decision to work with them easier. We all want to feel comfortable with the professionals we hire, therefore they can’t just be a good listener and great communicator, they must also possess the skill set.
Exploring our client’s thoughts, feelings, values and goals combines job skills with soft skills necessary for our client’s to trust and hire us. It’s never easy to approach a stranger to elicit vulnerable details. There are things professionals can say to be more proficient in doing so. Instead of saying “what’s wrong” you can ask, “I’d like to know how I can better help you” or “I can imagine this situation must be very frightening for you to go through, I am here to listen and support you through this”. Also, it’s important to not dismiss how someone feels by saying “don’t worry about it” or “oh, you’ll be fine”. Encourage your client to be open and share how they feel.
In Conclusion:
Fear is just one of many roadblocks that can keep older adults from securing help. Professionals must be capable and comfortable in discussing topics with clients and their loved ones to develop meaningful and lasting relationships. We all have fear, therefore we can relate to feeling afraid. Sharing our own fears can be an effective technique to encourage a dialogue with our clients. If you find that being open and vulnerable is an area in your life you struggle with, securing counseling and coaching can support your own growth and produce a more effective outcome in your personal and professional relationships. Call me today to explore what you can do to improve your emotional aptitude, 440-212-4987.