Some more, some less, we are all afraid of death. This phenomenon is still today a mystery that generates anguish when we think we still have unfinished business in this life or when we face it in solitude.
Last update: June 30, 2021
Although death occurs at any stage of life, it takes on particular relevance during old age. This is mostly due to the fact that this phase is characterized by a gradual physical and mental deterioration that it ends up in accentuate the fear of death as an elderly person.
Western culture gives old age a negative connotation and many older adults share these ideas even if they do not correspond to the truth. Generally, in fact, we tend to associate this phase of life with illness, depression, isolation and passivity.
However, there are many elderly adults who live the last years of life peacefully and who accept death as a natural fact. Others instead, they do not feel at peace with themselves and very often this accentuates the fear of death.
We are all afraid, even those who consider themselves brave. We are born with the fear of life and we die with the fear of death.
-Javier Reverté-
Fear of death as an elderly person
Aging is gradual, progressive, irreversible, and involves all stages of life, but in general we tend to associate it exclusively with the third age. The same is true of death, conceived as a phenomenon closely related to this phase of existence.
All of this can trigger disruptive emotions associated with the fear of death. We don't know when or how a person will die. In our culture this theme is taboo, which implies that individual and collective rejection arises in the face of fear, pain and suffering.
Not knowing what is after life awakens a fear of death that can generate anguish, especially because it is not known whether death will be long and painful. Coping with the fear of death hinders the transition to this stage and makes it even more painful.
It is true that there is often a tendency to diminish the ability of the elderly to deal with this fear and, in many cases, they themselves believe that they cannot. However, in these situations, resources emerge that we were unaware that we had.
Other views on the fear of death as an elderly person
For many elderly people, death is a natural process which they begin to deal with with a proactive attitude. They disagree about ignoring it and, in fact, make several assumptions about it.
Older people have experienced a number of bereaved and learned to manage the disease to the point that, without knowing it, they have begun to prepare for their own death from birth. Some, then, fantasize about this inevitable passage and in some moments show off black humor.
Many researchers agree that seniors are more used to dealing with funerals, cemeteries and the death of people of another age. They also set short-term goals and are more focused on everyday life.
Reflections on death
Death is attributed macabre and out of the ordinary characteristics, yet this transition goes far beyond our human fantasies. In this regard, Freud said that for both primitive man and modern man death is unimaginable and unreal, so we are nothing but spectators.
The anguish caused by the fear of death, in an adverse social context, can turn into a silent expression, which remains trapped in our body and which could promote a form of somatization characterized by non-specific pain and disease.
Likewise, it is important to take into account the role that social networks play, which is to give emotional and social support in these circumstances. Being able to count on this type of help is certainly useful without to manage and overcome the grief and fear of death, so as to continue living.
Most seniors are afraid of becoming a burden for spouse or family. In general, an elderly person tends to assume an attitude of indifference, fear and suffering or a state of serenity towards death.
His loved ones should be understanding and give him the opportunity to talk about this subject as often as he feels the need.
