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04:43
Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
Anticipating deep autumn: a widening lens
1College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Medical Humanities
|May 15, 2013
Summary
The medical model limits understanding of aging. Exploring humanities offers a richer, multidimensional perspective on the aging process and life stages.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Medical Humanities
- Sociology of Aging
Background:
- The dominant biomedical model of medicine influences perceptions of aging.
- This model's focus on pathology and intervention hinders finding deeper meaning in growing old.
- Healthcare professionals and aging individuals struggle with alternative perspectives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the humanities as a complementary approach to the biomedical model for understanding aging.
- To demonstrate how the humanities can broaden perspectives on the multidimensional aspects of aging.
- To illustrate the role of arts and literature in reflecting on life stages.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of age-related writings and visual art.
- Examination of works by artists and writers including Kenyon, Neel, Olds, Valadon, and Hemingway.
- Qualitative exploration of fictive representations and their impact on reflecting on aging.
Main Results:
- The humanities offer alternative frameworks for understanding the aging process beyond a purely medical lens.
- Fictive representations in art and literature can stimulate meaningful reflection on life stages.
- These representations can serve as a moral impetus for contemplating the experience of growing old.
Conclusions:
- The humanities provide valuable tools for a more holistic and meaningful understanding of aging.
- Integrating humanities perspectives can enrich both individual experiences of aging and healthcare approaches.
- Art and literature are powerful mediums for exploring the complexities of the human life course.
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