Blog Post 2 – My Late Life Aging
By: Mike-Anthony Fields
Facing My Fear of Dementia
One problem of aging that I truly fear is dementia. The thought of losing my memory or even my sense of self is unsettling. Because I already deal with memory issues from my military service, this fear feels very real.
For me, it’s not just about forgetting names or dates. It’s about the potential loss of autonomy, identity, and connection with the people I love most. I’ve seen how dementia impacts families, and it’s heartbreaking.
Physical Impact
If dementia became part of my life, my body would feel the effects. I might struggle with daily routines, forget how to do basic tasks, or lose coordination. Eventually, I’d likely need help from caregivers just to get through the day.
Emotional Impact
Emotionally, dementia would be heavy. I imagine feeling fear, sadness, and even anger. There would probably be moments of grief as I realized what I could no longer do. At the same time, I’d want to lean on faith and resilience to stay grounded.
Social Impact
Socially, things would shift too. Some friends might drift away because they didn’t know how to handle my condition. My family might take on caregiving roles, which could change our dynamics. At the same time, the people closest to me could become my lifeline.
Financial Impact
The financial strain of dementia is no small thing. Long-term care, medications, and medical visits can add up quickly. That pressure could weigh heavily on my family and affect their future as much as mine.
How Dementia Would Change My Ideal Life
In my vision of late life, I see myself mentoring young people, playing music, traveling, and being present with family. Dementia would change much of that picture.
Instead of being the strong guide, I might become the one who needs guidance. Independence would fade, but not everything would be lost. I believe music, laughter, and faith would still bring joy even if life looked different than I imagined.
Finding Resilience Through the CARA Model
The CARA model of aging gives me hope that resilience is possible, even with dementia.
– Competence: I may lose memory, but I could still hold on to creativity, spirituality, and emotional connection.
– Autonomy: Small choices like picking out my clothes or choosing the music I listen to could help preserve my dignity.
– Relatedness: Staying connected to family, friends, and church would give me a sense of belonging.
– Adaptability: Accepting help, learning to live in the moment, and celebrating small joys would keep me grounded.
For me, resilience would mean focusing on what I can still do and who I still am, instead of only seeing what’s slipping away.
What Research Taught Me
I explored an article in the Handbook of Theories of Aging that discussed the CARA model. What I found powerful was the reminder that even in the face of decline, older adults can still experience resilience.
The model emphasizes that dignity, choice, and connection matter just as much as physical health. That changed how I view dementia. It’s not just about loss it’s about adjusting, reframing, and holding on to meaning in new ways.
As someone pursuing social work, this inspires me to help families and older adults build on their strengths, maintain dignity, and keep finding joy.
Reference
Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (2023). Handbook of Theories of Aging (3rd ed.). Springer.
First, thank you for your service. My brother is a 22-year military veteran and also has medical issues related to his time in service, so I truly appreciate you for sharing your experience—I understand.
For me, I’ve seen how connection is often what keeps people going when they face conditions like dementia. Even when life looks different through their lens, they can still feel deeply connected through music and art.
The sad reality is that some people may drift away, not knowing how to handle the condition or how to support the care that’s needed. Before working on this model, I would often worry about how someone could continue to find dignity while living with such challenges.
I know it’s not easy, but building and maintaining a support system now is what really matters in situations like this.
Mike-Anthony,
I think you might have an easier time writing these posts if you didn’t think of them as parts of a paper rather than a question and answer format. (BTW you aren’t alone in this response. I have said this to many of your fellow students). I am more interested in you expanding on what you think.
You do a good job of talking about the GRRs in the CARA model and how you would try to enhance those as you faced your own aging.
You needed to fin a different article than the one in the Handbook of Aging.
Dr P