The factors that are the most likely to guarantee psychologically and physically healthy aging are generally identified as absence of serious chronic illnesses and disabilities, as well as proper physical and mental capacities. According to the socio-emotional selectivity theory, the older generation tends to experience high levels of wellbeing, and in comparison with the younger generation, they have lower stress rates, and easy recovery from life adversities (Cervone & Pervin, 2019). Generally speaking, the older generation is characterized by more psychological resilience. It is crucial to facilitate the prosperity of resilience within the older generation, as it plays an integral role in the overall success of living through late adulthood.
In order to develop resilience, it is necessary to consider both intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects. Poor social contacts significantly increase the probability of loneliness and subsequent depression, that is why interpersonal fitness promoted through social support, can promote a sense of belonging and increase resilience (Taylor & Carr, 2021). Physical activity has also been proven to have a positive impact not only on physical, but also on emotional and mental health, and consequently, on the process of resilience building (Taylor & Carr, 2021). Thus, combination of the two aspects – promotion of physical and social fitness, create a match for a resilience cultivating activity within the older generation.
The suggested resilience promoting initiative implies calypso dance activities in pairs for the elderlies. Calypso is a traditional music and dance style originated in Trinidad and Tobago that has acquired great popularity in the Afro-Caribbean region and beyond. This initiative can significantly increase the rates of resilience within the older generation because it engages several resilience-promoting aspects at once: physical fitness, interpersonal relationships and social support, as well as a sense of belonging to ethnic and cultural tradition which, in turn, promotes a sense of connection to cultural and national roots. Dancing is not the only activity included in the initiative: those who have physical disabilities or do not wish to dance, can learn how to play the calypso drum and thus, also become connected to the tradition.
Overall, it is important to keep in mind different aspects that need to be addressed in the activities aimed at promoting wellbeing in late adulthood. Thus, Calypso dancing initiative represents a complex approach that engages several aspects at once which facilitates a more profound resilience building.
References
Cervone, D., & Pervin, L. (2019). Personality: theory and research. John Wiley & Sons, Limited.
Taylor, M., & Carr, D. (2021). The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(6), 1241-1250. Web.