Summary Of A Gerotranscendence Interview

September 28, 2014 like 4pm in the evening I interviewed Mrs B. Mrs B is a 72 years old female who lives alone in an apartment and she is happy about her situation. She has children and grand children whom she has a close contact with. She immigrated from Nigeria like 20 years ago. Before the beginning of the interview, I make sure that she is capable to spend an hour with me in the conversation. I also make sure that the environment is conducive for both of us before the interview. We sat facing each other in the dining area of her house so I will be able to observe her facial expression and gestures as the conversation goes on. From the conversation, I learnt she is surviving from osteoarthritis, type II diabetes and hypertension. She was

Gerotranscendence was developed by Lars Tornstam of Uppsala university in Sweden (Wadensten, 2010). Gero from the Greek word means old age while transcendence means to climb over in Latin term ("Gerotranscendence," n.d., pp. 1-2). Therefore, Gerotranscendence basically means to climb over boundaries in old age ("Gerotranscendence," n.d., pg. 1-2). Gerotranscendence involves a redefinition of oneself, relationship to others and a new understanding of existence (Tornstam, 2003). This developmental theory called Gerotranscendence does not means disengagement or discontinuity from life but it means a better life understanding and self satisfaction. Tornstam defined Gerotranscendence based on three aspect (Wang, Lin & Hsieh, 2011). The first aspect is the comic aspect which defines life, death, space and time while the second aspect is the coherence aspect which is the meaning of relationship and the third aspect is the solitude which define self (Wang, Lin & Hsieh, 2011). This theory of Gerotranscendence help in understanding of the lived experience of Mrs B because the characteristics of Gerotranscendence theory such as comic aspect of Gerotranscendence, decrease fear of death, decrease in material things, satisfaction with self selected social activities, general increased in life satisfaction were associated to Mrs B lived experience (Touhy, Jett, Boscart & McClearly, 2012). This theory of Gerotranscendence made me understand that there is more to successful aging than discontinuity from self favourable activities, inability to remember something, loss of some senses, physical disability and disengagement. Gerotranscendence opens a better and new understanding about developmental aging and transition to older adult. From the interview, I understand that Mrs B undergoes some of the characteristics of Gerotranscendence theory. I realised that Mrs B definition of