What makes people soo bitter in old age?

Answer 1

The missed opportunities that will never come again, and the economic and health problems that come with age.

Old age is not for cowards.

Answer 2

I'm 57. I've lived a good, full life, rich with experiences of many kinds. I don't think most people become "bitter" as they age. If anything, I think they become more mellow.

I can say that by the time you're 50, you've probably seen or experienced a lot of lies, insincerities, BS, and disappointments. So, you find yourself saying," oh, THAT again?" Some things just get old, if you know what I mean.

When I look back at my life, I don't have many regrets.

I guess a person's outlook on life depends upon all their experiences - positive and negative - up to that point and their capacity for love and sympathy.

Yes, I know a lot of people that could be considered "bitter," but it's not necessarily a result of age.

Answer 3

Who's bitter? I'm not. I'm healthy and have plenty of friends and love.
I guess a lot of old people do feel bitter about being cast off by their kids and never visited, or shuffled off into nursing homes out of sight, out of mind.
I suppose a lot depends on their nature and personality too. I worked as a companion for a while when I was younger, and the people I took care of were so unbearable, their families were willing to pay a hefty amount of money to have someone else live with them.
People enjoy being around a happy, loving person.

Answer 4

It's a common myth that all old people are grumpy and bitter. While some are, the majority aren't. What bitterness exists is due to inflexibility of self-perception. Those who are bitter tend to be preoccupied with their diminished cognitive skills and decreasing physical vigor and health. They, like many of us, have a thwarted sense of identity where they derive their sense of self-worth from transient western ideals such as “youth” and "beauty". This explains our culture’s preoccupation with plastic surgery, liposuction, diets, etc. It is all an attempt to remain young and beautiful. The elderly who are bitter do not see the wisdom and knowledge they have gained over their lifetime as being important and empowering. They believe they have nothing left to contribute to society. Furthermore, they live in a society that does not esteem them, but rather marginalizes and shuns them. In contrast, the elderly of Native American, African and Asian as well as other societies are respected and honored as contributing members of these societies. In some cases they are the repositories of a society’s history, and thus the only link to the past. Consequently, the elderly who remain positive, perceive the wisdom and knowledge they have accumulated over their lifetime to far outweigh any attributes that may now be on the wane.

Answer 5

well there are lots of reasons and honestly i really dont think it has anythink to do with unfulfilled dreams..but, i do think it has a lot to do with experience either bad or good when a person experiences too much they probably feel like they've done it all, even though if they probably havn't, lets not forget that sometimes people at an old age see no point in talking to others because when a person doesnt have a purpose for talking or getting to a better point in life usually sees no point in talking or getting to a different level, (from conversations to opportunities) ...most in the end just stick to the family and how they'd think of them. i'd like to say more but im in a hurry.
good question though.

Answer 6

Wasted talent. Old age creeps up on you. People assume they'll have time to do this or that and put it off until one day they turn around and they're not young anymore. I think some elderly people see us making the same mistakes they did and having more wisdom than they did in their youth, would love to trade places. I was 19 then I blinked and next thing you know I'm 25 years old.

Answer 7

Lack of the control over their lives with as much freedom they fell they enjoyed while younger. They can't drive; they spend too much time going to doctors; they have no focus on things that were important to them when younger; they don't work. They don't have anywhere to go everyday, somewhere that they fell important. And they no longer work - money is a problem.

And, after saying all that, I think that a person that is bitter in old age probably spent most of their lives to that point as being bitter, bitchy and unrewarding. You don't wake up one morning an be bitter, do you?

Answer 8

People do not become bitter-they were always bitter..there are PLENTY of joyful, outgoing and SMART elderly in our world. Also, it is the prejudice against the older in our society that tends to lump all aged individuals. Keep in mind-it is our bodies that age-our minds may become harder to deal with due to medication, vision, hearing or even depression. It is not age in itself that makes us bitter-it is the demise of our bodies and the cluelessness of the young.

Answer 9

life come with a lot of ups and downs you know , some people have experiences more up then downs but what look like bitterness to you may be just pure sadness, life do,ant always go to plan no matter what age you are .

Answer 10

The only bitter old folks are those who threw away their opportunities so they could enjoy the material life. Accomplishment not bling brings a happy and productive old age.

Answer 11

That's not always the case. Sometimes older people are cranky because they are frustrated that they can't hear well--they get impatient during communication. They also have problems admitting their deficits like not seeing well or being slow to understand or comprehend things as well. Som of it could be frustration with how complex life has become. You know, they like to talk of simpler times , etc.
I say, if you live to be old then you deserve to raise a little hell. They've paid their dues.