Final answer:
Psychosocial changes in older adults dealing with death include confronting mortality and possibly experiencing the five stages of grief identified by Kübler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Social changes can mean a loss of traditional roles or the adoption of new ones, with the goal of maintaining social connections and finding new sources of meaning and engagement in life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychosocial Changes in Older Adults Around Death
Aging involves considerable psychosocial changes, particularly as individuals enter the last phase of life. One major element of these changes is confronting mortality and processing the reality of death. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross identified five stages of grief that older adults may experience as they approach death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While these stages offer a framework, individuals' experiences can vary widely. Some may not go through all stages, and religious or spiritual beliefs may provide significant comfort and facilitate coping with death.
Socially, the arc of life suggests a contraction from expansion in young adulthood to potentially less engagement in older age. This can mean a loss of roles, activities, and responsibilities that once defined an individual's identity. However, there is also the opportunity to engage with life differently, perhaps by finding new roles or continuing to participate in beloved activities. Throughout these transitions, maintaining social connectivity and finding meaning—factors tied to well-being—remain pertinent.
In essence, the changes in the social and emotional aspects of aging reflect a shift from generativity and intimacy to reflecting on one's life, dealing with losses, and potentially redefining oneself in the context of approaching the end of life. The elderly may have to come to terms with the loss of friends and loved ones, and make peace with their own life choices and legacy.