Demographic Data & Informal Observations:
The participant is an 81 year old woman. She is the mother of 5 daughters ages 44, 47, 50, 54, and 58. She also had two granddaughters ages 19 and 22, and three grandsons ages 18, 22, and 28. She was born in Colombia, and has lived there for the majority of her life. Cefora is currently in the stage of her life called late adulthood. This life stage is from about 65 years of age and older. Since Cefora is above the age of 80 and is now starting to experience some physical changes in health she is now considered old-old. Surprisingly, she is much older than the normal life expectancy for others in the United states, which is 78.49 years [3]. Cefora is of normal weight in my opinion for a person her age, but does seem much shorter than most others her age standing at about 4'10. She is well put together with her makeup, hair, and nails done. Unfortunately, I have to repeat many of the questions to her in addition to her taking long pauses before answering. The interview is done in my home. Overall, she is cheerful and ready to start the interview.
Physical Functioning & Body Concerns:
Once again, I begin the interview by asking her to tell me about her physical appearance. Cefora tells me that she looks good. She expresses to me that shes short, but is not overweight, according to her doctor. She tells me that she maintains her weight by going to the gym 3 times a week for one hour. When asked what she did specifically at the gym Cefora proceeded to tell me that they do different exercises. The man who instructs the group is specialized in geriatrics. Cefora continues to tell me that:
"Our teacher is really complete. We have tons of instruments, and he keeps us INFORMED. these kinds of things are so important for people my age. not ONLY that, but i love the change in ENVIRONMENT. there's like 60 OF us, so it's a great way to make friends! the best thing is they even do trips for us and bingo nights!"
Cefora continues to tell me how she does consider looking attractive as an important aspect of her life, but that it is most certainly not a priority. When it comes to any major health concerns that she has had she proceeds to tell me that the only thing wrong with her health at the moment is that she had had high blood pressure for about 10 years now, but maintains it under control by taking her medications as prescribed and by controlling her food intake. The decline in her health is normal in this stage of late adulthood since about 25% of adults in this stage of life suffer from at least one chronic disease [3]. Moreover, Cefora says that more than anything her senses have been the first to go. She now has more trouble hearing and seeing than before. Many adults notice a change in eyesight in middle adulthood that declines as the years go by. Cefora is more than likely suffering from Presbyopia which is characterized by the hardening of the lens in the eye causing it to lose elasticity thus making it harder to read and focus on small print [3]. She also expressed to me that overall her strength just wasn't the same as well as her motivation level. I continued the interview by asking her if she had made an preparations for her future health care needs, and she responded that:
"At this age you don't plan anything, you just take it as it comes. I want to live and take care of myself until god decides its my time."
Intelligence:
When it comes to intelligence Cefora tells me how she no longer feels as sharp as she used to, although she also says that she can still contribute good things into the world, and that her mind is till thinking good thoughts. She has also seen a strong decrease in her memory. Cefora has an easier time remembering things that have happened long ago as oppose to things that have happened recently. In other words her retrospective memories are better than her prospective memories. In addition to this, like many other adults in their late adulthood Cefora's working memory holds much less information than it did before [3]. Cefora mentions to me that the classes that she takes at the gym are not only physical ,but that they also really help her mentally. Luckily, Cefora does not suffer from any neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia which impairs your judgement, reasoning, and cognitive ability.
Personality & Relationships:
I continue the interview by asking Cefora about her personality. She tells me that she considers herself a happy person. She says she wants to live more than she has lived surrounded by her family and in good health. She enjoys her union with her family, but something that she dislikes is how overly compassionate she can be at times proclaiming that she absolutely hates problems. When asked if she had changed a great deal since she was younger she admitted that she just couldn't be the same person, her mood is different and so is her strength. When asked what her major interest are she answered that she loved serving others including her kids, and her grand kids. Cefora tells me that her priorities have changed since she was younger since at first they were to take care of her kids and help with whatever jobs she could do and now she says she's moved onto her grandchildren. Additionally, she laughs:
"Now all i want to do is go out, i'm so tired of being at home!"
Cefora then noted to me that she was married and had been married for almost 60 years. She mentioned to me that:
"At first it was difficult, we had to work at it a lot. Now, however, it's more relaxed. i think that at this age you live with your husband as if you were two friends."
Although this at first sounded strange to me I know that the likelihood that they will divorce is very slim since they have been together for more than 35 years. Nevertheless, adults in this stage of life tend to argue less with their spouse about things such as grand parenting, finances, and household chores. Therefore, many experience an increase in satisfaction in their marriage and in increase in affection in their marriage [3]. However, her relationship with her daughters is much better. Cefora says that she gets along with all 5 of them and makes a point to talk to them every day. Finally, I asked her if she had any financial worries for the future. With a smile on her face she told me that she wished she had enough money to have financial problems, but that she has a house to sleep in and food therefore she's happy.
Feelings About Life Stage:
On the last portion of the interview i asked Cefora if she had had a favorite life stage and she expressed to me how they've all been different, and she's adjusted. She expressed how she frequently remembers the past but tends to try not to remember the bad aspects of it since that would be like living it twice. As a final statement she vocalized to me that:
"being 81 years is being thankful to god for the long life. It is also having the satisfaction of having kids, seeing them grow, and seeing them have a life of their own. i was able to see my GRAND KIDS, and see them grow up. i'm thankful for everything i had and have."