Among the elderly, _______________ contributes to the maintenance of identity.

• A. Relocation
• B. Reminiscing
• C. Loneliness
• D. Interdependence

Answer: (B)

Maintaining a sense of self in later life relies on creating a coherent life narrative, and reminiscing serves that function. When older adults recall and tell stories about their past, they reaffirm the roles they’ve held—such as parent, worker, friend—and weave these experiences into a continuous self-concept. This reflection helps preserve identity by linking who they were with who they are now, providing meaning, value, and a sense of continuity despite changes in health, routine, or social circles. Sharing memories also strengthens connections with others, reinforcing a belonging that supports a stable sense of self. While relocation, loneliness, or reliance on others can affect well-being, nothing sustains identity quite like the deliberate reflection on past experiences that affirms personal history and values.