Among the multitude of factors which influence--and often impede--an individual's ability to "age successfully," physiological changes related to sex and sexual functioning, the effects of stress on cognition, and depression are three critical factors capable of eroding life satisfaction of older individuals.
This work examines the psychological ramifications of gender- and sex-related changes in aging populations, with an emphasis on sex drive transformations and sexual satisfaction. An examination of the myriad effects of stress on cognition among older individuals illuminates the desirability of lowering stress levels to avoid their deleterious effects on the aging brain, which is already experiencing significant changes. And since depression manifests itself in quite unique yet subtle ways among older individuals, this work examines the inherent challenges to diagnosis as well as the importance of identifying pathology before older clients resort to lethal means to end their pain.
Finally, a variety of definitions of successful aging are presented, along with the controversies surrounding the concept which implies a competition between those who "succeed" and those who "fail."
