Abstract Book of the 2nd Global Conference on Aging and Gerontology
Year: 2025
DOI:
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Meaningful Activities and Engagement in Late Life: Coping with Loss, Loneliness, and Isolation
Jasmin Tahmaseb McConatha, Jaden Paley, Indigo White
ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Maintaining meaning and engagement in later life can be challenging, particularly in the face of age-related personal, social, and cultural transitions. Later life is filled with loss – of health and vitality, of meaningful social roles, and most traumatically the loss of loved ones. The struggle to cope with these losses can lead to anxiety, depression, loneliness, and social isolation. How do older adults, particularly older women, cope with later life loss and find meaning, purpose, connection, and satisfaction? This qualitative research addresses these important questions. Method: Data for this research are derived from a comparative interviews with a diverse group of 21 women over the age of 65. Interviews focused on identifying late life losses, challenges, coping strategies, sources of support and satisfaction, contributions, day-to-day activities and rituals, and engagements with family and community. Results and Discussion: This study provided older adults with the opportunity to discuss how they adapted to late life loss and transitions. Individual and cultural similarities and differences were identified and will be discussed, however overall their responses demonstrated that it is possible to live a generative, meaningful, and creative life, even in the face of considerable challenges. Support, integration, and culturally valued and meaningful roles were identified as crucial factors contributing to coping with losses. With an increase in life expectancy, a greater number of older adults experience multiple later life losses. It is important to explore the ways that aging adults cope with loss and live meaningful and generative lives.
keywords: Meaningful Engagement, Late Life, Loneliness, Loss, Social Roles