Gerotranscendence: A Developmental Theory of Positive Aging - Hardcover

Tornstam PhD, Lars

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826131344 ISBN 13: 9780826131348

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company, 2005

Synopsis

Given the 2006 GREAT GERONTOLOGY AWARD for outstanding contribution to gerontological research by the Swedish Gerontological Society

Received a VALUE GROUND AWARD from the journal Aldreomsorg (Old Age Care)

Expanding upon his earlier writings, Dr. Tornstam's latest book explores the need for new theories in gerontology and sets the stage for the development of his theory of gerotranscendence. This theory was developed to address what the author sees as a perpetual mismatch between present theories in social gerontology and existing empirical data.

The development towards gerotranscendence can involve some overlooked developmental changes that are related to increased life satisfaction, as self-described by individuals. The gerotranscendent individual typically experiences a redefinition of the Self and of relationships to others and a new understanding of fundamental existential questions:

• The individual becomes less self-occupied and at the same time more selective in the choice of social and other activities.
• There is an increased feeling of affinity with past generations and a decreased interest in superfluous social interaction.
• The individual might also experience a decrease in interest in material things and a greater need for solitary "meditation." Positive solitude becomes more important.
• There is also often a feeling of cosmic communion with the spirit of the universe, and a redefinition of time, space, life and death.

Gerotranscendence does NOT imply any state of withdrawal or disengagement, as sometimes erroneously believed. It is not the old disengagement theory in new disguise. Rather, it is a theory that describes a developmental pattern beyond the old dualism of activity and disengagement.

The author supports his theory with insightful qualitative in-depth interviews with older persons and quantitative studies. In addition, Tornstam illustrates the practical implications of the theory of gerotranscendence for professionals working with older adults in care settings. A useful Appendix contains suggestions of how to facilitate personal development toward gerotranscendence.

About this title

From the Publisher

"Every baby boomer looking for an alternative paradigm to activity theory’s ’energetic aging’ in later life and its projected treadmill of trips to the personal trainer and plastic surgeon, sky diving lessons, and updates from the stockbroker, should read this book. Gerotranscendence represents a shift in meta-perspective, from a materialistic and pragmatic view of the world to a more cosmic and transcendent one.

Easily read, Tornstam’s book is choc full of fresh insight and substantial evidence, supporting his convincing argument that gerontologists have, for too long, circled their wagons around one theory of aging (activity theory) with too little attention to the ‘subjects’ of their enquiries—older people themselves—in all their diversity and abundance of unique personal experiences of growing older.

We live in a post-modern time where identities are seen as fragile, shifting, multiple and transitory and where all truth is localised. Tornstam produces an inclusive, developmental approach to growing older that invites gerontologists (as well as the rest of us) to reconsider aging from an array of perspectives in this increasingly multicultural, multifaceted, interactive world. His theory flies in the face of more commonly invoked theories of aging, particularly activity theory, allowing manifold images of later life to materialize from reality and an emergence of the importance of individual meaning to describe phenomena.

There is a spirituality in Tornstam’s approach—that part of the person concerned with meaning, truth, purpose or reality and the ultimate significance of things—and one that I find refreshingly engaging. Perhaps the last 40 years or so of getting granny out of the chair and into a hang glider has been at cross purposes to not only what granny wants, but also what nature/the gods/her muse encourage her to do. Tornstam provides an alternative way to see the world—"a theoretical tool that makes certain parts of reality comprehensible"."

- Kip Jones, PhD, MSc Honorary Research Fellow, Mary Seacole Research Centre, De Montfort University

From the Back Cover

256

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0826131344
• ISBN 13: 9780826131348
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224