Nursing homes or institutions for the elderly are adapted to meet the needs of older adults, from nutrition, medication and physical, cognitive and social stimulation. However, the residences also favor a sense of psychological well-being in the older adult.
This type of well-being is related to two dimensions: unconditional self-acceptance and sense of vitality. Unconditional self-acceptance, which implies that the older adult is aware of his/her weaknesses and strengths and accepts him/herself as he/she is. It also includes the acceptance of the path he/she has followed in his/her life (past-present).
In addition, it can be understood as "the enunciation of goals and desires inscribed to rational beliefs of tolerance to frustration and in the face of the non-realization of desires or goals, they will not prevent living other positive experiences arising from other events" (González, Peña, & Muñís, 2018, p. 144). In other words, unconditional self-acceptance implies the enjoyment of life experiences even if they differ from the idealization that had been made of life in previous stages.
On the other hand, the meaning of life is the meaning that a person gives to the world around him and to his own life. Viktor Frankl, a renowned psychologist, established that there is no universal meaning of life, but that being subjective, it is a discovery that each person must make.
These two dimensions are related to a person's sense of subjective well-being. It is expected that in older adulthood the person has achieved acceptance of him/herself and of his/her aging process. Old age comes to be seen as a natural stage loaded with gains such as wisdom, experience and affective bonds.
Thus, if a person has unconditional acceptance of his history, of himself and has projection into the future (development of goals or aspirations), it can be said that he enjoys personal well-being, because he is sufficiently motivated to fulfill the tasks of the stage in which he finds himself and to face any adversity or loss.
Some findings on the topic of self-acceptance and sense of vitality in older adults living in an older adult community are as follows:
- Older adults with a high level of well-being tend to show wisdom, courage and emotional strength to overcome life's obstacles. They also show acceptance of themselves and their lives.
- They tend to be committed and actively involved in pursuing their interests and taking advantage of the opportunities offered by their present.
- They manifest a positive attitude towards the residence or institution of which they are a part and the benefits they obtain from it. They consider their residence as a positive environment in which they can develop their potential.
- The main concern is to maintain physical and cognitive health.
Bibliographic references:
González, G. Peña, J. and Muñíz, L. Reflection: Unconditional Self-Acceptance and the Stress of University Professors in Nuevo León. In Minor, M. Muñíz, M. and Cantú, L. (Coords).
Flecha, A. (2019). Self-acceptance and life meaning/purpose in institutionalized older people. Pedagogía Social.
