40 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • NOVEMBER 4, 2021 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
Establishing a legacy and aging
BY SHELDON ORNSTEIN
ED.D, RN, LNHA
A legacy is one’s tangible and intangible
assets that are transferred to another
and may be treasured as a symbol of
the individual who is bequeathing it. Th e
elderly should be encouraged to identify
that which they would like to leave and
who they wish their recipients to be. Th is
process has great signifi cance and tends
to prepare one to “leave” with a sense of
meaning.
Legacies can provide a feeling of continuation
and tangible ties to their survivors.
Legacies may range from memories
to material bequests that will live on in the
minds of others. Th e researcher Erikson’s
seventh stage of man identifi es the generative
function as the main concern of the
adult years and the last stage, the eighth,
as that of reviewing with integrity or
despair what one has accomplished.
Following are suggested legacies: oral
histories, autobiographies, shared memories,
works of art and music, publications,
human organ donations, endowments,
objects of signifi cance, written histories,
and philanthropic causes.
Legacies are identifi ed and shared
best as one approaches the end of life.
According to Erikson, “Each person is
a link in the chain of generations and
as such, may identify with generational
accomplishments.” An old person may
feel himself as a signifi cant part of a generation
that survived the Great Depression
of 1929. A middle aged person may identify
with the generation that walked on
the moon. Th ose years of youthful idealism
are impressed in one’s memory by the
political or ideological climate of the time.
Th ere are many ways that one’s legacy
is expressed through the development
of others. Here are several examples
that illustrate how one’s legacy can
be expressed.
First Illustration – John, an aged man
cried as he talked of his grandson’s talent
as a violinist. Th ey both shared their
love for the violin and the grandfather
believed he had personally contributed
to his grandson’s development as a budding
musician.
Second Illustration – A retired professor
spoke of visiting his son in a distant
state and hearing him expound ideas that
had been partially developed by the professor
and his father before him.
Third Illustration – Aunt Martha
worried about preserving the environment
for future generations, so she took
her niece on a nature walk to stimulate
her interest in birds, plants and small
creatures. She also donated land for a
future natural park. People who amass
large fortunes and allocate to certain
funds for endowment of artists, scientifi
c projects and intellectual exploration
are counting on others to complete
their legacy. Following are several suggestions
for assisting an elder to identify
and develop their legacy:
• fi nd out their lifelong interests and discuss
them with appropriate individuals;
• establish a means of recording these
interests for posterity;
• record legacies with copies distributed
and review for future referral.
It is gratifying to an elderly person if a
legacy can be converted into some calculable
form, thus ensuring that it will not
readily be dismissed or forgotten. I have,
at this point, off ered several mechanisms
that can be employed for establishing a
credible legacy. One fi nal mechanism is
a series of questions to help the elderly
prepare a legacy, but only if he or she is
ready to do so.
1) Have you ever thought of writing an
autobiography?
2) If you could leave something to the
younger generation what would it be?
3) Have you given thought to the impact
your generation has had on the world?
4) What has been most meaningful in
your life?
These suggestions should readily stimulate
ideas for a spontaneous discussion
which is far more valid in an interpersonal
way than merely parceling out cherished
items with no thought as to who
receives them.
One’s personal items are highly charged
with memories and meaning, and transferring
them to friends and kin can be
an emotional experience. Most important,
they should never be dispersed without
the owner’s knowledge. It is vital
that people approaching the end of life
be given full opportunity to appropriately
distribute their important belongings to
those whom they feel will most cherish
them and think about their signifi cance.
On a personal note:
Th e golden years, a phrase frequently
spoken by an older population can be a
positive experience for everyone who pursues
it. (Build a legacy while it is in your
purview to do so!)
Th e golden years off er a potentially
qualitative life that was once consumed
with day to day problems and issues.
You overcame many of these problems.
(Th erefore, consider creating a legacy!)
Th e golden years can sometimes be elusive
to those remaining years. (A good
time for establishing that legacy!)
A brief anecdote: Mary was 93 years
old when she passed. Still she was known
to have an uncommon yet practical philosophy
about the legacy she was leaving
behind. Th ese were Mary’s words. “At 93
I am both frail and tough, and toughness
seems to dominate. Th is is my legacy.”
Th is truly was Mary’s legacy. My advice to
all of us is, consider adopting Mary’s philosophy.
It holds great possibilities.
Dr. Sheldon Ornstein is a
registered professional nurse
with a doctoral degree in
nursing organization. He
has specialized in the care
of older adults and has published
many articles on the
subject. He has done postgraduate
work in gerontology
and has taught at several
universities. In 2013, he was
inducted into the Nursing
Hall of Fame at Teachers
College, Columbia University.
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