EMPOWERMENT FROM INNER RESOURCES
Stories told by the oldest-old suggest the importance of being able to use one's inner resources for empowerment. One important resource is the ability to build and maintain self-esteem, even after living through events of immense sadness and loss. The oldest-old have often experienced serious personal, social, and economic hardships, including the Great Depression and major wars, and have had to find positive memoies to build on.