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For this assignment, you will need to decide on at least 10 questions to ask a living elder in an interview. You then need to craft their answers into a paper that tells their story. Must ask at least 10 questions (and address all 10 in the paper). Reference your book that supports ideas, theories, answers etc., related to the older adult. Must format them as a story and use specific examples to create a narrative. Must reflect on what you have learned from the interview and how it applies to what you are learning in the course.

Must be a word document that is free of grammar and spelling errors. You should use APA format for this paper, including a separate title page with running header. Include the list of your 10 interview questions on a separate page at the end of your paper (before your reference page). Save your document with the file name lastname_interview.doc (or .docx). Upload your document into this drop box by the date listed on the course schedule in the syllabus to receive credit.

Paper For Above Instructions

Title: Stories of Wisdom: An Interview with an Elder

This paper presents an interview conducted with Ms. Helen Richards, a 78-year-old resident of our community, whose wealth of experience and insight serves as a reflection of resilience, learning, and life’s complexities. The questions posed ranged across her life experiences, critical lessons learned, and the reflections on her journey, creating a rich narrative of her past and offering lessons for future generations.

Interview Questions

  1. What are some of the most important lessons you feel you have learned over the course of your life?
  2. Can you share a difficult or stressful experience and what you learned from it?
  3. Are there any key events in your life that you consider turning points?
  4. What’s the secret to a happy marriage?
  5. What important choices or decisions have shaped your life?
  6. What do you know now about living a happy and successful life that you didn’t know when you were twenty?
  7. How do you define happiness?
  8. What role has family played in your life?
  9. What advice would you give to young people today?
  10. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Life Lessons

Ms. Richards shared with me that one of the most important lessons she has learned over her lifetime is the significance of perseverance. She explained, “Life is full of challenges, but facing them head-on and not shying away is what builds your character.” This lesson was illustrated through her account of overcoming the loss of her husband a decade ago; she described a profound pain that initially rendered her helpless. However, she emphasized that it was through that struggle that she learned to embrace life fully again, admitting, “Every day is a chance to honor his memory by living joyfully.”

Defining Turning Points

Moreover, Ms. Richards identified several turning points in her life, particularly her decision to go back to school at age 40. She recounted, “I never had the opportunity to finish high school due to family obligations, but going back to school changed my trajectory.” This decision led to her career in education, where she dedicated over 20 years to teaching. “Education not only transformed my life but allowed me to inspire countless young minds,” she recalled, reflecting on her role as a mentor.

Marriage Insights

When asked about the secret to a happy marriage, Ms. Richards smiled and said, “It’s about partnership and respect.” She discussed the importance of open communication, mutual respect, and shared goals in sustaining her 50-year marriage. “We were a team; we faced everything together, and that’s what kept our love alive,” she shared. Her wisdom emphasizes that maintaining harmony and understanding in partnerships is crucial.

Life Choices and Happiness

Concerning choices and decisions, Ms. Richards noted, “The choices I made in my youth deeply influenced my adult life.” She spoke candidly about her early decision to move away from home to seek opportunities that seemed more promising. This decision was laced with apprehension but ultimately proved vital for her personal growth. “I learned new perspectives that I never would have if I stayed in my comfort zone,” she stated.

Advice for Young People

When prompted for advice for today’s youth, Ms. Richards urged, “Don’t rush through life; take the time to enjoy it. Find your passions and pursue them with vigor.” This advice resonates with the values she instilled in her students. Showing that wisdom comes from experience, she aims to inspire young people not only to succeed in their careers but to savor the journey.

Reflection on the Interview

Reflecting on this interview, I realized the depth of wisdom that the elderly carry within them, offering not only a history of their personal lives but also invaluable lessons that transcend time. Ms. Richards’ story highlights the importance of resilience, the transformative power of education, and the foundational role of love and family in leading a fulfilling life. These insights apply directly to the themes discussed in our course, where we explore aging, resilience, and the social dynamics that shape our understanding of the older adult experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, interviewing Ms. Richards illuminated pivotal life lessons that are both personal and universally applicable. Her narrative epitomizes the wealth of knowledge found in our elders, encouraging us to learn from their journeys and understand the profound insights they can offer to the younger generation.

References

  • Erikson, E. H. (1982). The Life Cycle Completed. New York: Norton.
  • Neugarten, B. L. (1976). The Meaning of Age: Selected Papers. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  • Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990). Psychological Perspectives on Successful Aging: The Model of Selective Optimization with Compensation. In P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes (Eds.), Successful Aging: Perspectives from the Behavioral Sciences (pp. 1-34). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful Aging. New York: Pantheon Books.
  • Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2002). Life-Span Developmental Psychology: Perspectives on Aging. In N. L. Schneider & J. F. D. C. C. V. Nichol (Eds.), Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences (pp. 226-248). San Diego: Academic Press.
  • Atchley, R. C. (1989). A Continuity Theory of Normal Aging. The Gerontologist, 29(2), 183-190.
  • Lawton, M. P. (1998). The Functional Dimensions of Aging. In J. E. Birren & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the Psychology of Aging (pp. 121-152). San Diego: Academic Press.
  • Laslett, P. (1989). A Fresh Map of Life: The Emergence of the Third Age. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
  • Birren, J. E., & Renner, S. H. (1984). Theories of Aging. In J. E. Birren & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the Psychology of Aging (pp. 1-23). New York: Academic Press.
  • McAdams, D. P. (1993). The Stories We Live By: Personal Myths and the Making of the Self. New York: Morrow.

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