As the older adult goes through life, he or she may begin to think about how he or she lived his or her life and whether it was worth it. In the next paragraphs I will summarize Erikson's theory on ego integrity with respect to despair in the elderly. This is the last of the eight stages that I would describe as an overview of life through the eyes of an adult in late adulthood. When an individual reaches the age of 65 until the time of death, he or she is considered to be in the final stage of ego integrity versus despair (Cherry, 2018). This is the last stage, where, if asked, the elder will be able to tell you how he saw the life he lived. Some will be satisfied with the choices made and the results, while others will wish to “turn back the hands of time.” This stage is not the easiest, as some may find it too difficult to deal with things they cannot change. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The ultimate goal is to pass the last stage and achieve wisdom. Feeling like you've made most of the right choices doesn't mean you've had a perfect life. It just means that you feel at peace with where you are as you approach death. I had some experiences with both sides when I worked in a hospice. It's really wonderful when your patient tells you not to worry about him because he has lived a good life. I've even had patients tell me not to make the same mistakes they made, because you can't go back. “As individuals approach death, they are faced with evaluating their life as a whole and accepting the person they have become” (Goodcase, Love, 2017). It is important to note that each person will have a different point of view on this. Erikson examines your progression throughout life. With ego integrity, older adults tend to be satisfied with their achievements even with some ups and downs. They will enter the last phase with more content or even with the feeling of having accomplished a lot. I see this in my parents, who often tell me they are happy with their choice to move to Florida. In contrast, older adults experiencing hopelessness are dissatisfied with how their life choices have turned out. References Cherry, K., (2018). Integrity vs. despair: Psychosocial development. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/integrity-versus-despair-2795738 Goodcase ET and Love, H. A. (2017). From desperation to wholeness: Using narrative therapy for older individuals in Erikson's late stage of identity development. Journal of Clinical Social Work, 45(4), 354, doi:10.1007/s10615-016-0601-6 Perry, T. E., Ruggiano, N., Shtompel, N., & Hassevoort, L. (2014). Applying Erikson's wisdom to older adults' self-management practices. Aging Research, 37(3), 253-274. doi:10.1177/0164027514527974