Identifying And Understanding The Factors That Shape Health

Some experts in the field have concluded that the health effect of social relationships may be as important as established risk factors such as smoking, physical activity, obesity and high blood pressure.

Those older folks become insecure and even have problems with their spouses and younger family members. This eventually becomes an issue of coping, which drives loneliness. Many of the population in nursing homes tend to be senior citizens. They are stuck in homes because their families have already given up on them. Research shows that most suicides are committed by senior citizens. In 2010, the highest suicide rate occurred in the age range of 45-64 years old. The next highest rate occurred with those over age 85. They are driven mostly because the younger members of their families do not give them enough attention. “Research over the past several decades has repeatedly shown that a lack of social ties increases risk for poor health” (Aging and Loneliness). Therefore, those people labeled as lonely are likely to have health issues.

High-quality social relationships, wherein people experience camaraderie and happiness, yield substantial health benefits. For instance, social ties such as marriage and religious involvement have been linked to healthier choices with diet and exercise, possibly because these connections promote positive behavioral norms (Umberson and Montez, 2010). High-quality social relationships also promote mental health by offering individuals a sense of place within a meaningful environment. When people feel connected and supported, they tend to experience a greater sense of control, a psychological state shown to be both associated and causally linked to good health (Lachman and Weaver, 1998). Positive psychological effects of social relationships improve physical health by making it easier for the body to maintain chemical homeostasis over long periods of time by alleviating its “allostatic load” (Umberson and Montez, 2010). Ultimately, these components of high-quality social relationships make people less likely to get sick and die.

The determinants of health consist on three levels. The determinants of health levels are the individual lifestyle factors, the social and community networks, and the general socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions. The determinants of health consist on our daily lives from the moment we are born, where we live, work and our age.

One of the most influential determinants of health, is early childhood development due to it’s deep roots in childhood experience that shapes the physical and mental health of the individual as an adult. A child that starts off their lives on the right path with parent(s) that have adequate and well paying jobs who will provide the basic needs essential for development will inevitably will do well and a have greater chance of being healthy. Versus a child who is born in poverty and must live in such rough environments resulting from their parent’s inability and lack of opportunity for employment, thus causing stress for day-to-day survival. Everyday living factors have consequences on children, which can have a direct and indirect effect to their health through their parent(s). In other words, the social determinants od health experienced by the patients have a huge influence on the health on their child’s childhood experience. Although, there are many factors that go into the success and health of a child such as nutrition, physical environment, and genetics characteristics, early

In fact, many theories on aging regard maintaining social relationships as having a significant impact on aging outcomes. For example, “maintaining strong social relationships is one of the three components of successful aging” and “one of the four parts of active aging” (Wethington, April 12).

Social life and family supports are key components in a person’s life. Family support and social engagement keeps the mind engaged and person dwells upon the emotional connection he/she develops. Elderly people who tend be more socially active in their old age are less likely to develop dementia as compared to those that isolate themselves (ref). Having family support is a key social part in an elderly’s life which not only gives them emotional support but also practical support. The family can look after the elderly and can

In our society today, the older population is a diverse and growing group with more and more individuals reaching the life stage of late adulthood, and even very late adulthood. According to Hutchison (2015), the late adulthood stage begins at 65 years of age and continues through 85 years of age and the very late adulthood stage begins at 85 and carries through until death. During the aging process, many changes occur within the body and mind as well as family structure and social roles. Individuals who have reached these life stages today may have lived through the Great Depression, the World Wars, the Civil Rights Movement, and many other important historic events, all of which have shaped their life experiences. For

Older adults are at a stage in life where they have to come to terms with their “inevitable decline” (Gladding, pg. 301). Older adults may suffer from “loneliness, fear and loss” (Gladding, pg. 302). They have been facing “chronic health problems that require increased attention” (Gladding, pg. 302). Many older people have difficulty transitioning to a “retirement lifestyle and long for their professional roles” (302). Many elderly also experience “limited socialization and interpersonal activities” (Gladding, pg. 303). Depression “affects 121 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of disability” (Pépin, Guérette, Lefebvre & Jacques, pg. 117).

Life satisfaction is typically related to social relationships, which helps us to understand why relationships are essential for older adults' well-being (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Naturally, it would seem that most adults in their later lives would have more support from friends and family to rally around them and support them through the various challenges and stressors of late adulthood. However, Broderick and Blewitt (2015) acknowledge that it is normal for their social networks of friends and family is smaller in scope than in the past. It must be

According to Leiyu Shi and Douglas A. Singh (2015), “Health determinants are major factors that, over time affect the health and well-being of individuals and populations” (p.52). Differences are constantly being made throughout the health care system, communities and various cultural groups for the healthcare administrations to expand their reach beyond medical services. Today in many areas health care professionals are taking a different approach by focusing not only on health but on the well-being of the people as well. In order for many of the health care professionals to improve the communities in which they serve they must improve on the four key determinants of health.

Later adulthood is the time in life when changes in marriage, families, and peer relationships are affected the most by the loss of someone close to that person. “Most people 70 years of age or older are widowed, divorced, or single” (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010, p.619). Losing a spouse or close friend can create a sense of loneliness, which causes depression, anxiety and the emptiness feeling can become overwhelming. Depression also leads to psychological effects that will deteriorate a person’s health causing the chance for a terminal disease to become much higher. The weaker appearance of older adults causes family and remaining peers to step up in the role of making sure the person’s wellbeing is being met. (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010). Living accommodations and healthcare needs

(Krause, 2004) argues that a wide range of factors determine how an older person finds sense of meaning in life, as well as well-being. For example, social relationships play a major role in terms of whether an older person derives a sense of meaning. Research suggests that older people who are emotionally supported by their family members and close relatives are more likely to find a sense of meaning than those who lack well developed social support

This study investigated the difference between emotional and social loneliness using structural equation modeling, evaluated whether a two-dimensional or unidimensional conception of loneliness provides a better fit to the data. Second, the extent to which positive and negative social exchanges are associated with older adults’ loneliness was examined. Third, they also investigated whether the structure and social-exchange correlates of loneliness differ for currently married versus formerly married older

Loneliness and depressive disorders are some of the major challenges that most older adults face, particularly those with disabilities (Singh & Misra 2009, p. 3). Although the elderly appreciate their ability to be independent, growing health issues, lack of proper ways of transporting them, and the general lack of motivation will always lead to feelings of being isolated. Furthermore, the interaction between the elderly and their extended family members is always crucial to an older adult 's safety and self-reliance. A comprehensive approach to