Care, Dementia, and the Fourth Age in Erica Jong's Later Work. (18th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stončikaitė, Ieva
• Editors: de Medeiros, Kate
• Is Part Of: Gerontologist. Volume 62:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 436
• Page End: 444
• Publication Date: 2021-05-18
• Subjects: Cultural–literary gerontology -- Humanities -- Literature -- Oldest old; Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- United States -- Periodicals; 305.2605
• DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnab066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-9013

Abstract

Abstract: Background and Objectives: This article addresses the representations of dementia and caregiving in the fourth age as depicted in Erica Jong's later-life work. It shows how the experience of parental care leads to the discovery of new ways of human interaction and expressions of personhood. Research Design and Methods: Framed within literary–cultural age studies, this article shows how humanities-based inquiry can illuminate important aspects of aging and care of the oldest old, which are significant and revealing, but often hidden under the dark shadow of dementia. Results: Newly discovered ways of communication challenge the notion of the loss of agency as they demonstrate that the body itself has the power of creative and intentional capacities and self-expression. Discussion and Implications: Care-related narratives offer new insights into aging, dementia, and subjectivity that can help pursue a better analysis of the "deep" old age, strengthen collective solidarity, and manage increasing ageism, especially pronounced during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.