In recent days, the story of an old man from H'Mong traveling more than 1,500km from the Central Highlands to the northern mountains to meet a woman he met through social networks in recent days has moved many people.
Behind that special journey is not only a late love, but also opening up many deep reflections on the needs of love, the right to happiness and mental health of the elderly, things that have long been easily underestimated in family and social life.
Psychologist Mai Viet Duc - Nhan Hoa Viet Psychological Consulting and Therapy Center shared: "When entering old age, the social circle gradually narrows, children grow up, partners die or health declines, feelings of emptiness and loss of connection become clearer than ever".
In that context, having someone to talk to, share with, and make friends with is particularly important.
Elderly people when they have loved ones often significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and depression; have more motivation to take care of themselves, eat and live more regularly. A stable spirit also helps reduce the risk of depression and cognitive decline," the expert analyzed.
In other words, feelings in old age are not just emotions, but also a form of spiritual medicine to help prolong the quality of life, not simply to live long.
From a psychological perspective, elderly people finding a new relationship after losing their partner is a very natural reaction.
Losing someone who has been attached for decades is considered a major psychological shock, leaving a gap that is difficult to fill.
The need to find connection again often originates from very basic desires, to be shared, to be listened to, to feel that they still have value and are still needed. That is also the human connection instinct, which does not disappear with age.
Finding new love is not forgetting the old person, but how the elderly heal themselves and continue to live a meaningful life," the expert emphasized.
When viewed from this perspective, old age love is not "contradictory", but a natural part of the human journey to find spiritual peace.
However, the biggest barrier to the happiness of the elderly does not come from age, but from social prejudices. Concepts such as "old people still love", "fear of property division", or "being a bad example for children and grandchildren" inadvertently make many elderly people feel ashamed, even guilty of their own emotions.
Self-restraint from prolonged emotional needs easily leads to loneliness, withdrawal, living in a psychology of fear of being judged and gradually losing the joy of life.
In the long term, denying the right to love can cause silent but profound psychological trauma, directly affecting the mental health and quality of life of the elderly - something that society often pays little attention to.
Also according to Mr. Mai Viet Duc, in that picture, family, especially children and grandchildren, plays a key role. Spiritual support helps the elderly feel secure and not self-conscious; sober companionship helps control factors related to safety, finance, and law. The most important thing is a respectful attitude, not judging, not imposing.
When an elderly person dares to seek happiness, they are affirming that they are still a complete person, worthy of being loved and happy to the end of their lives. And a civilized, progressive society is a society that knows how to respect the choice of happiness of people at all stages of life, even when their hair is white," the expert said.
