Discuss the concept of gerotranscendence

What will be an ideal response?

Erikson's widow Joan Erikson suggested that the attainments of ego differentiation, body transcendence, and ego transcendence in late adulthood actually represent development beyond ego integrity (which requires satisfaction with one's past life) to an additional psychosocial stage that she calls gerotranscendence—a cosmic and transcendent perspective directed forward and outward, beyond the self. Drawing on her own experience of aging, her observations of her husband's final years, and the work of others on the positive potential of the years shortly before death, Joan Erikson speculated that success in attaining gerotranscendence is apparent in heightened inner calm and contentment and additional time spent in quiet reflection. Although interviews with people in their ninth and tenth decades reveal that many (but not all) experience this peaceful, contemplative state, more research is needed to confirm the existence of a distinct, transcendent late-life stage. Besides focusing more intently on life's meaning, many of the very old continue to report investments in the real world—visiting friends, keeping up with current events, striving to be a good neighbor, and engaging in leisure and volunteer pursuits..