Care, Dementia, and the Fourth Age in Erica Jong's Later Work

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.

Keywords: Cultural–literary gerontology; Humanities; Literature; Oldest old.