Living Well into Older Age:

Joy & Meaning

Jane F. Gilgun, PhD, LICSWProfessor, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USAFebruary 28, 2015

Topics“Rainbow in the Clouds:” Maya

AngelouGerotranscendenceIndicators of Living WellSpirituality and AgingSpiritual AutobiographiesSuggestions

Rainbow in the Clouds VideoWhat words or ideas did you hear in

the Maya Angelou’s video? In one sentence or less.

What do these words or ideas mean to you?

What are these words or ideas calling you to do?

If you have time, please discuss.

Gerotranscendence

Gerotranscendence is regarded as the final stage in a possible natural progression towards maturation and wisdom.

Balance between positives & negatives

Integrity vs. Despair◦Wisdom

Small Group on GerotranscendenceCount off by threes. Select a facilitator. No discussion until the end.Take Turns.Each person shares responses to one of

the items.◦This can be a brief description of how the

item applies to you or to someone you know.

◦You can also tell a story that illustrates the item.

Indicators of Living WellVital InvolvementMeaningful Relationships with OthersPhysical ActivityMentoring RelationshipsResilienceBeing Someone Else’s RainbowSelf-Honesty/Humility/Modesty

◦Willingness to fail and to be wrong◦Learns from Mistakes

Sense of HumorDuchenne SmileSpirituality

Duchenne Smile

Willie Mays, Then and Now

Willie MaysWhich of the indicators of Living Well do

you identify in Willie’s interview with Jon Stewart?

Count off by threes.Select a facilitator who asks each person

to comment on each question. No discussion until the end.

Take turns.Each person shares an indicator of living

well.You can also tell a story that illustrates the

indicator in your own lives.

SpiritualityTends to increase during later adulthoodSpirituality is associated with

◦ life satisfaction◦desire to be useful and of service to others◦psychosocial well-being, and◦physical and mental health.

Fosters recovery from illness meaning and purpose in life relieves psychological distress and anxiety about

death caregiver coping

Spiritual AutobiographyLife story viewed from a spiritual

perspectiveSpirituality: personal experiences

of connection to transcendence

Spiritual AutobiographyHas your perception of God

changed during your lifetime?When I pray, I ….I do things for others because….

GuidelinesCount off by threes.Choose one item to think about

or write about.After about five minutes, take

turns sharing what you wrote.After everyone has shared,

please discuss.

ReferencePhifer, Nan Merrick Memoirs of the soul : a writing guide. Eugene, OR: Ingot Press.

Resources for Spiritual ExplorationSpiritual autobiographiesReminiscence groupsLife reviews Video projectsCenter for Healing & Wellness,

University of MinnesotaPenny George Institute for Health

& Healing

Wisdom & MysteryTo hold the full mystery of life is

always to endure its other half, which is the equal mystery of death and doubt.

Wisdom happily lives with mystery, doubt, and “unknowing,”Rohr, Richard (2011-02-11). Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (p. 112). Wiley. Kindle Edition.