Erikson’s Stage 7 concept of Generativity and the related virtue of Care captures what can be an antidote to a lack of hope in middle and older age. In the hypothetical scenario that you are the counselor for an older adult experiencing a sense of isolation due to loneliness and/or a lack of meaning, what are ways you might be able to help – including educating about outside opportunities and resources?

Response to below discussion post with below discussion topic.
Discussion topic: Erikson’s Stage 7 concept of Generativity and the related virtue of Care captures what can be an antidote to a lack of hope in middle and older age. In the hypothetical scenario that you are the counselor for an older adult experiencing a sense of isolation due to loneliness and/or a lack of meaning, what are ways you might be able to help – including educating about outside opportunities and resources?

Text: Chapter 15, Broderick, P.C. & Blewitt, P (2020). The Life Span (5th ed.). Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0135208687

Discussion post: I believe there are many different routes you could take in helping an individual suffering from isolation, loneliness, and lack of meaning, etc. The first thing that I would want to explore with them is what their life purpose is. By exploring their meaning and purpose we can pin point more precisely what some of their values in life may be. From there, say their life revolved around raising their family and being involved in the family structure, I would want to provide them ideas of opportunities to engage with groups that encompass those values. For this individual I would speak with them about getting involved in volunteering in schools, churches, vacation bible schools, after school programs, or even nannying etc. Feeling important and that you have a role to play I believe would elevate their sense of purpose and feelings about connectedness in the community. Secondly, I would think about recommending that the individual join a support group where they can discuss their own struggles, experiences, wants and needs with others around the same age, going through similar experiences. Assessing a person’s strengths, abilities, and will power would also be important in this situation and could possibly give you the opportunity to highlight to the individual that they are capable and have more to offer themselves and the world around them.

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