Facing a Short Future

by Celia Ruiz

For older persons, self-reliance and empowerment are tied to a sense of control over their lives. This

is achieved by discovering, identifying and mobilizing potential strengths and developing a

sense of self-confidence that it is possible to bring

about change in their personal lives as well as in

the conditions that affect them. How is empowerment achieved? And once achieved, how is

it maintained in older age, a highly vulnerable period often characterized by decreased economic

resources, fewer job possibilities, illness, physical deterioration, loss of friends and family and

cultural stereotypes that devalue the older person? I will try to explore some of the psychological

processes an elderly person goes through to

maintain or achieve inner empowerment , a

prerequisite for mobilizing external resources. If throughout life, an individual has a sense of

autonomy, even though in times of crisis it is

temporarily lost only to be regained afterwards, it is likely that he or she will continue to feel empowered.

Longevity gives an older person the experience of coping with crisis and difficulties throughout the

life cycle. Therefore, older persons have strengths that they can learn to identify and apply to a new situation. The ability of human beings to learn remains throughout their lives. If a person can

learn, he or she can change and discover new ways

of using individual potential.

The very fact of survival is a strength. To reach old age is a privilege to be proud of. It shows that

one has come a long way through experiences rich in variety and content, experiences of interacting, coping and succeeding in difficult moments. Not only have most older people acquired emotional

strength, they have also acquired occupational

skills and skills in relating to many types of people.

All this potential and underused strength can be drawn on to facilitate the empowerment process.

However, in the last stage of life, the fear of physical deterioration and death can be devastating. The person who negates these fears risks emotional illness. Confronting the fears,

although painful, lowers anxiety, anger and

depression. Facing fear may mean that the older

person mourns the loss of youth and of past relat ionships--when physical and intellectual

abilities were formidable, when productivity and self-esteem were high and when one was

surrounded by loved ones, colleagues, and community. By going through a mourning period,

older persons can avail themselves of their inner strengths and become aware that the resilience

required to reach old age is condensed within. Armed with this knowledge, one can learn new ways of enjoyment, of dealing with oneself and others in an accepting manner, of dealing with pain

and frustration.

But how does one make sure mourning in old age is temporary rather than chronic? One human

tendency is to idealize something lost and in this way retain it through illusion. The more someone

idealizes what is gone, the more unhappy he or she will become. The opposite tendency is to devalue what one had so as to control the pain of loss. Either position may be exaggerated. Obviously, one 's past is valuable and part of the present. But

the value placed on the past must be realistic so

that it can serve the present. Many older persons

suffer for what is gone in order to avoid the

present and the short future. A future creates a sense of purpose and a drive

to move ahead. How can an elderly person create a

future and a sense of purpose? When the mourning is over, gratitude develops for what one had and

for what one still has. Time becomes important. the present is the highlight of old age. Every

moment becomes alive. In this way, one can interact contentedly with one's surroundings, friends, acquaintances and loved ones. It also

becomes easier to tolerate the difficult and tragic moments of old age because one is thankful. In old age, one creates purpose in a different way, with a

feeling of gratitude.

Celia Ruiz is a psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in Mexico City and the author of "Organizing Older People in a Mexican Community," page 16.

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