Reflection: Insights from Interviewing an Older Adult on Aging Process

This reflection paper details the experience of interviewing an older adult about the process of aging, covering cognitive, social, and emotional changes. The interviewer discusses their approach to ensuring the interviewee's comfort and the valuable insights gained regarding lifestyle, emotional well-being, and social connections in later life. The reflection highlights the importance of creating a comfortable interview setting and developing effective questions to facilitate open and informative responses. The paper further reflects on the interviewee's experiences with physical and mental health, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and addressing emotional challenges such as depression. The interviewer also reflects on personal strengths and areas for improvement in conducting such interviews, underscoring the role of empathy and careful question design in eliciting meaningful narratives about aging. This assignment is available on Desklib, where students can find past papers and solved assignments.

Reflection Paper

Contents
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................3
Reflection.............................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................11
Appendix............................................................................................................................................12
Interview Questions.........................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Reflection in academic writing can help an individual to analyse their learnings from
their experience of an event. It can be stated that a reflection not only helps in developing
new skills as well as enhance their existing knowledge (Diehl, Smyer and Mehrotra, 2020). It
is important for an individual to take into account the different experiences as well as
learnings so that they can enhance their overall efficiency as well as the skills. This further
helps in enhancing the overall performance as well as knowledge of the individual. The
respective report includes a reflection about interviewing an older adult. This will include a
critique about the approach to the interview and so on.
Reflection
I recently interviewed an old lady wherein we spoke about the process of aging. I
personally was interested in undertaking this interview because I thought that this would help
me in enhancing my knowledge about aging and allow me to develop new skills. Before
undertaking the interview, I ensured that the interviewee was comfortable with the setting and
that they did not feel any kind of discomfort. The age of the interviewee was around 70 years
and she was very kind to accept to be interviewed. This is because I feel that it talks a lot of
effort from, the end of an old adult to agree for an interview. On asking if she was
comfortable with the setting, she stated that she was comfortable and was looking forward to
the interview. I ensured that the setting for the interview such as the seating area was
comfortable for the interviewee. My approach to the interview was very simple and the I
ensured that all of the questions that I developed, we easy for the interviewee to answer. This
was very helpful because at the end of the interview, the interviewee told me that she was
very happy to be a part of the interview. During the interview, my body posture was that I
was at ease although initially I was a bit nervous as I thought that the interviewee might not

be comfortable to answer my questions. But as the interview went on, I observed that she had
a lot of things to share about the process of aging, which was very insightful and thought
provoking.
I was very much interested as well as empathetic in listening to the interviewee’s
response. From the interview, it was analysed that the interviewee has gone through or
experienced various cognitive, social, emotional as well as physical changes over the last 15-
20 years. She said that aging is a slow process and that there are many factors that contribute
to the same (Liu and et.al., 2020). She shared all the useful as well as informative insights
that will be helpful for anyone who reads or hears the interview. As far as the social changes
are concerned, she stated that as an individual ages, their social network as well as people
with whom they interact on a regular basis keeps on changing and it reduces to only few
people. She stated that she was saying this out of experience and that over all these years, she
has learned that it is very few people in our lives that stay with out through our happy as well
as difficult times. As far as the emotional changes are concerned, she said that as a person
ages, their physical appearance also starts to change. This means that some people become
more prone to fractures while some may start to feel a loss in their strength as well as
flexibility. It is different for all people and depends on many factors such as their diet as well
as their lifestyle. The interviewee stated that it is important for the individuals to live a
healthy life and focus on their dietary intake from the very beginning because this is what
repays in the future.
During the interview, I was observing that the interviewee showed interest while she
was answering the questions. I kept on checking with her from time to time if she was
comfortable with the setting or if she required a change. Emotional changes are too a part of
the aging process and she said that one should be comfortable to the same. There is proof that
a few natural body changes associated with getting old may additionally increase someone's

risk of experiencing depression (Mao and et.al., 2020). Recent studies endorse that decrease
concentrations of folate inside the blood and nervous gadget may additionally make a
contribution to depression, mental impairment, and dementia. Depression can also have
potentially harmful outcomes on an older person’s fitness in other methods. Depression can
lead to consuming conduct that result in weight problems or, conversely, can reason a vast
lack of appetite and diminished electricity ranges, sometimes ensuing in a circumstance
known as geriatric anorexia.
Depressed older adults additionally revel in better prices of insomnia and memory
loss. They also have longer than normal response times, growing the hazards associated with
cooking, using, self-medicine, and other responsibilities that require full attention. Because
elderly people tend to be less amenable to lifestyle changes, they will be reluctant to adopt
new behavior or do things that their peers discover fairly enjoyable (Minato, Hattori and
Hamazaki, 2020). A psychologist who focuses on growing old troubles can help tailor an
individualized approach to fight melancholy. An older character with fragile vanity might
also interpret well-intentioned encouragement as similarly proof of his or her declining
circumstance. Others might also resent any tries at intervention. A psychologist can help
friends and circle of relatives participants craft advantageous techniques for handling these
and other touchy problems. Depression can also have probably dangerous results on an older
grownup’s health in other approaches. Depression can cause ingesting behavior that result in
obesity or, conversely, can purpose a great loss of urge for food and faded power stages,
sometimes resulting in a condition called geriatric anorexia.
Some older individuals cope through refusing to well known that modifications have
passed off in themselves and they could determine to disregard the modifications and desire
that the adjustments will go away by way of itself. Thus, their bodily or intellectual problem
would possibly get worse with time without right remedy (Pignolo and et.al., 2020). The

older folks might be blaming themselves and feel that they might have averted a loss if they
have reacted in a different manner. This form of responsible feeling might motive social
isolation, melancholy or even suicidal strive. Some older people would possibly experience
that they're so vain, helpless and on the mercy in their body problems, changes in living
association or bad occasions. This sense of hopelessness and helplessness might be prolonged
and result in the improvement of depressive infection or even suicidal attempt. The
interviewee seemed to share a lot of her experiences through life about the process of aging.
I ensured that she was comfortable in taking part in the interview and also, I initially
thought that she might not be comfortable in taking part in the interview, but gradually I
understood that she was interested and was answering the questions very well (Wang and
et.al., 2020). She also said that the process of aging is a natural aspect of life and that it
should be embraced as some people don’t feel comfortable as they go forward in their age in
terms of life. Although there can be various challenges that a person might experience during
the start of their aging process and going forward, but there can also be different positive
aspects of the same. During the while interview, I managed to ensure that the interviewee did
not feel uncomfortable at all and that she was taking part in answering the questions in an
effective manner. I want to ensure that when I face a similar situation in the future, I am able
to implement all of my understandings as well as learnings in an effective manner. As per the
interviewee, social, emotional as well as physical changes are all a part of life and they
should be taken into account in an effective manner by each individual. They should practice
all the positive habits that will allow them to gain a better perspective of the same and age
rather effectively without any health complications. As per my understanding, one of the
strengths of the interview was that the setting was very appropriate and because of this, I feel
that the interviewee felt very comfortable in answering the questions. I believe that one
should take the same into account whenever they undertake an interview.

This is because I feel that this allows both the interviewer as well as the interviewee to
gain the desired outcomes as well as work in an effective manner. And for the respective
interview, I feel that I made all the efforts to ensure that the outcomes of the same were
achieved and that the interviewee was able to provide useful insights about the same. On the
whole, I felt that when an interview is undertaken, it becomes a priority for the interviewer to
ensure that the interview questions are developed effectively so that the interviewee is able to
answer the same effectively. Apart from this, I also made sure that the interviewee could take
breaks considering her age and that there is an increase in the overall efficiency of the same.
This helped in improving the quality of the results of the interview and they also said that
close family members and friends play a significant role and make it easier for the person to
look beyond aging. Hence, there was an increase in the overall effectiveness of the same.
Cognitive changes or changes in the thought process are also a significant aspect of the
process of aging (Yegorov and et.al., 2020). Similarly, the ability to preserve more than one
portions of records in mind at the equal time is every other talent that peaks around ages 18 to
20 and will become more tough thereafter. Every time you mentally calculate a tip in a eating
place, you use an statistics processing skill called working memory. In the medical
institution, we frequently test running memory by using asking humans to recite backward a
string of numbers that we've simply examine to them. This mission requires running
reminiscence due to the fact the numbers need to be held in mind lengthy sufficient to
rearrange them.
She stated that your ability to concentrate on a specific mission begins to say no to
your 50s. After this, you are more likely to lose consciousness and revel in a sluggish lower
for your interest span. Age hinders interest, especially while it's far vital to multitask. When
switching from one project to another, the aged have greater problem being attentive to a
couple of lanes of site visitors, as an instance, or noticing if a person is set to step off a reduce

at a hectic intersection. Processing information hastily and dividing attention correctly are
cognitive talents that height in younger adulthood. How fortunate it's miles that university
and vocational students are generally at an age when the mind is running with choicest
efficiency.
Similarly, the ability to preserve more than one portions of data in mind at the
identical time is another talent that peaks round ages 18 to 20 and turns into more difficult
thereafter. Every time you mentally calculate a tip in a eating place, you operate an statistics
processing ability referred to as working memory (Yegorov and et.al., 2020). The part of the
interview that I can reflect on were about when she mentioned about the things that made her
happy and how she wishes she spent more time doing the same. I ensured to conduct the
interview at her home so that she feels more comfortable with her surroundings and does not
have any trouble commuting. This also helped in conducting the interview at a pace that was
comfortable to her while she could also take breaks in between. She further mentioned about
how she likes to always spend time with her family and regards it some of the best
experiences of her days. In drawing a contrast between the last two decades, she mentioned
how she needs more help with changing technology and often needs to rely on her family for
support. However, she also indicated about how this helps bring her closer to her family and
allow her to spend time with them giving momentary comfort and happiness.
Retirement isn't the equal for all people. While a few humans regulate very well to
retirement, others discover the transition more difficult. In trendy, people who retire to
significant sports are happier than folks who retire from a process and don't have any out of
doors interests. All of our senses have a tendency to change with age. Our eyes have more
difficulty specializing in close to items and adjusting to changes in mild intensity and lenses
step by step end up clouded. We may additionally have issue hearing tones which have a
excessive pitch. Such changes may be particularly disruptive for the ones who've by no

means experienced sensory loss. As we grow older, we end up more likely to increase
chronic health problems. Adjusting frequently depends on our prior health and the way nicely
the situations may be managed. Someone who has been healthful maximum of his existence
may also war with accepting health problems as he gets older. We technique and retrieve data
in unique approaches as we get older. For instance, we may also take longer to recall
statistics. Such adjustments are usually slight. Stress, medication interactions, melancholy,
dementia, and some of different situations can reason extreme memory troubles.
The interview was taken in a quiet setting and it was ensured that there was no
distraction of any kind as it can have a negative impact on the outcomes of the same. The
interviewee was kind enough to have been agreed to take part in the interview and she made
sure that I didn’t feel the other way. This is because the interview was taken at her home and
I had taken permissions for the same. Before the interview, I ensured that I was dressed
formally and that I had all the resources that were needed for the same such as pen, notebook,
camera, laptop as well as a USB. This allowed me to carry out the interview in a structured as
well as formal manner. I want to make sure that whenever a similar situation arises in the
future, I will make sure that the goals of the same are achieved by taking into account the
various aspects of the same.
Thus, these were some of my understandings as well as analysis of the interview. And
I think that this has helped me in understanding my strengths as well as weaknesses and I will
be able to implement my learnings effectively in the future to make sure that the desired
outcomes are achieved. Apart from this, I also made sure that the interviewee ought to take
breaks thinking about her age and that there's an boom inside the usual performance of the
same. This helped in enhancing the pleasant of the consequences of the interview and
additionally they stated that close family participants and buddies play a huge position and
make it less complicated for the person to appearance past growing old. Hence, there has

been an growth inside the universal effectiveness of the same. Cognitive adjustments or
modifications inside the notion method are also a significant element of the technique of
getting older.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that a reflection is important because it
helps in the efficiency as well as improvement in the knowledge. This is because they are
able to strengthen their knowledge as well as develop new skills. It is essential for an man or
woman to remember the exceptional studies as well as learnings which will decorate their
usual performance in addition to the competencies. This further facilitates in enhancing the
overall performance as well as expertise of the individual.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Diehl, M., Smyer, M.A. and Mehrotra, C.M., 2020. Optimizing aging: A call for a new
narrative. American Psychologist, 75(4), p.577.
Liu, Z., and et.al., 2020. Underlying features of epigenetic aging clocks in vivo and in
vitro. Aging Cell, 19(10), p.e13229.
Mao, R. and et.al., 2020. Aging mechanism of microplastics with UV irradiation and its
effects on the adsorption of heavy metals. Journal of hazardous materials, 393,
p.122515.
Minato, N., Hattori, M. and Hamazaki, Y., 2020. Physiology and pathology of T-cell
aging. International immunology, 32(4), pp.223-231.
Pignolo, R.J. and et.al., 2020. Reducing senescent cell burden in aging and disease. Trends in
molecular medicine, 26(7), pp.630-638.
Wang, F. and et.al., 2020. Correlation of asphalt performance indicators and aging Degrees:
A review. Construction and Building Materials, 250, p.118824.
Yegorov, Y.E. and et.al., 2020. The link between chronic stress and accelerated
aging. Biomedicines, 8(7), p.198.

Appendix
Interview Questions
Q1. How would you define the process of aging?
Q2. In your opinion, how should an individual react to aging?
Q3. What are the physical, cognitive, social-emotional changes that you have experienced
over the last 15-20 years?
Q4. Compare and contrast yourself now to the way they were 15-20 years ago?
Q5. What advice would you give to the young people who are very conscious about the
process of aging?
Q6. How did you personally deal with the process of aging?
Q7. Do you think that the young generation today should have a positive outlook towards
aging? Why?
Q8. What according to you, are the positive or negative aspects of aging?
Q9. What are the most important lessons you've learned in your life?
Q10. What are the most rewarding things about getting older? Is it a lifetime of knowledge?