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Identity in the fourth age: perseverance, adaptation and maintaining dignity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2012

LIZ LLOYD ,
MICHAEL CALNAN ,
AILSA CAMERON ,
JANE SEYMOUR  and
RANDALL SMITH
LIZ LLOYD*
Affiliation:
School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
MICHAEL CALNAN
Affiliation:
School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, Michael Calnan, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
AILSA CAMERON
Affiliation:
School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
JANE SEYMOUR
Affiliation:
Sue Ryder Care Centre for the Study of Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
RANDALL SMITH
Affiliation:
School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Liz Lloyd, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Road, Bristol BS8 1TZ, UK. E-mail: Liz.lloyd@bristol.ac.uk
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Abstract

The fourth age remains a poorly understood phenomenon and there is a lack of understanding of the perceptions of those who might be considered to be living in it. This article draws on findings from a study of dignity in later life which examined the day-to-day experiences of participants who were in need of support and care because of failing health. It discusses their accounts of the changes to their sense of self and their identity that came about as a result of their ageing and health problems and looks also at the ways in which the support and care they received helped to shape their adjustment to those changes. The accounts given by participants reveal a great deal about the physical, mental and emotional effort entailed in maintaining a sense of self and highlight the essential role played by social relationships in the maintenance of identity. These findings are analysed by reference to emerging theories of the fourth age.

Keywords

fourth ageidentitydignityperseverancerelational autonomyadaptation
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 1 - 19
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

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