OPPapers.com

Interview Of A Successful Aging Adult

I interviewed my neighbor, a 71-year old Caucasian male, who has the most

positive view of life in late adulthood. John spends most of his time at home, leading a

quite, routine existence. Never married, John receives visits from his two sisters every

few weeks, and some of her nieces and nephews stop by on occasion. John does not have

any children himself. When I asked him if he was happy, he said he was "quite happy".



John was born in California, Santa Clara. He still lives in Santa Clara. His native

language is English, and he also speaks a little bit of Spanish. John, who is retired, was a

professor of Sociology at West Valley College in Saratoga, California, where he was the

recipient of the College Distinguished Teacher Award. He was educated as an

undergraduate at Santa Clara University, from which he graduated with Honors, and

received a M.A in Sociology.



At 71, John rates his health as being “good" and doesn't place much stock in

doctors. "If they start poking around you," he said, "they'll only make you sick." John

does go in for a physical once in a while, but he hasn't been seriously ill since the time he

came down with appendicitis in 1960. "People ask me what I eat," he said, "I'm a

vegetarian, more or less. I never smoked. I don't drink either. That's one of my good

qualities. And I keep my bedroom window open 365 days a year." John eats healthy,

and catches a daily mass on TV, roots faithfully for the San Francisco Giants and loves

nothing more than a good night sleep. John said that he did not have any health

problems.



When I asked John what made it hard for him being his age, he answered,

"People's attitude about older people. People tend to be a little skeptical about your

ability. I don't like it when at gatherings, young people are always so courteous, and for

some reason think they have to kiss you...