Relational Considerations

Front 1

Reminiscence (definition)

Back 1

Recalling events that happened long ago.
Historically associated with old age.
Roots in oral history before printed word.
Now seen as self indulgent instead of people sharing beneficial lessons.
Focus seems to change with situation.

Front 2

Reminiscence (Coping mechanism)

Back 2

Helps deal with:
-unresolved conflict
-fear of death
-grief, depression
-loss of self-identity, or self-esteem

Front 3

Positives of Reminiscence

Back 3

Can lead to group cohesiveness, intimacy, feelings of self-worth, and life satisfaction.
Helps hand down culture and provide historical contribution

Front 4

Negative Consequences of Reminiscence

Back 4

Depression
Guilt
Inner Panic
Usually occur when done alone.
May need counselling if it persists.

Front 5

Intimacy

Back 5

Involves:
Mutual trust
Support
Understanding
Sharing of confidence
Studies have shown it is essential to self-esteem and emotional wellbeing
Reminiscing can facilitate.

Front 6

Sexuality

Back 6

Aspects include:
intimacy
identity
reproduction
sexualization
People need to have fantasy, memories of sex, and desire for physical contact.

Front 7

Sexual Interest

Back 7

Overall declines with age, however those who were very interested when younger are more likely to be interested as they age for longer.
Women seem to lose interest first.
Sexual activity frequently occurs well into 70s

Front 8

Menopause

Back 8

May effect hormones
Some women also feel sex is not enjoyable or important if they can't become pregnant.
Others feel a sense of relief and show more interest.

Front 9

Sex and Health

Back 9

Men fear heart attacks.
Good health is a reflection of a good sexual relationship.
Lose privacy as we age.

Front 10

Consequences of Sexual Activity

Back 10

Higher life satisfaction.
Severity of sexual problems correlates with severity of marital problems.
Lower rate of depression.
Should not place too much emphasis on it.
May need more lighthearted view.

Front 11

Homosexuality

Back 11

Older generation is usually less open about it, does not mean it occurs less often
Many have been in heterosexual relationships until they had fulfilled societal expectations of them.
Report same levels of satisfaction in relationships.
Struggle with issues of societal acceptance and legal issues of inheritance.

Front 12

Communicative Competence

Back 12

Take longer to react in conversation.
Longer to process information.
Sentence comprehension ability decreases.
Make more mistakes/serious mistakes
Skills may atrophy b/c they are less likely to engage in social activities.

Front 13

Confirmation

Back 13

Statements that validate and acknowledge the other person and their experience of reality.

Front 14

Disconfirmation

Back 14

Statements do not provide acknowledgement of other person's experience of reality.
May completely ignore a statement.

Front 15

Imperviousness

Back 15

When someone says they know what you are feeling more than you do.

Front 16

Disqualification

Back 16

Give a tangential comment in response "I am worried about my health." "I'm in the best shape of my life."

Front 17

Helping and Loneliness

Back 17

Social support is key to life satisfaction.
Elderly people receive most of their help from family living nearby.
People in neighborhood often help.

Front 18

Neighborhood Helpers: High Helpers

Back 18

People who provide a great deal of very professional assistance and receive very little in return for it.

Front 19

Neighborhood helpers: Mutual Helpers.

Back 19

Provide some assistance and accept some help in return.

Front 20

Neighborhood Helpers: Neighborhood isolates

Back 20

Receive their help from people living outside their neighborhood.

Front 21

Loneliness

Back 21

Decreased loneliness with increased involvement in causes and activities.
Social isolation from friends impacts loneliness more than family.