The Problem Of The Older Adult Population Essay

Dementia often includes symptoms such as memory loss, trouble doing normal everyday activities, and problem solving. Once the symptoms come, they will most likely stay. They will only become worse and worse over time, so it’s necessary to try and come to terms with the disease. Caregivers can try to make the person affected as comfortable as possible as their body is slowly transitioning. Because there is a loss of blood flow to the brain, signals that are necessary in order to keep the body functioning properly eventually stop being sent. The muscles will stop being sent signals to move, and sometimes the signal to breathe can even be stopped.

In the U.S, one in four will be aged 60 years and older by 2050 (U.S. Census Bureau). This represents an overwhelming number of people who will either be in the caretaker role or be the ROC. Like today, most of the care will be provided by informal unpaid caregivers. The number of informal unpaid caregivers is expected to rise from 20 million in 2000 to 37 million in 2050 (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation [ASPE], 2003). Because of the burden of care giving, many caregivers will experience depression, poor health and quality of life (Etters, Goodall, & Harrison, 2008). Their well-being is an important public health concern.

Dementia has a huge impact on not only the lives of them self’s but also the family and carer. Watching the person you love degenerate from a fully functioning person to some one that needs to be fully cared for. As a carer, you are likely to experience a range of different feelings. This is particularly difficult because as dementia gradually causes the person’s abilities and personality to change the nature of relationships will also change (better health). The

Living with dementia can be overwhelming, stressful and emotional. There is a lot to take in, appointments and assessments to attend, sorting out what support you are entitled to, care preparation, wishes and preferences.

Family/friends: when an individual is given a diagnosis of dementia it impacts on their friends and family too, they may feel angry or guilty but may also have an overwhelming fear of what they can do to support the sufferer and each other at present and in the future. Will they be able to cope with the level of commitment to the individuals needs on top of their own daily trials? Not to mention the added financial/emotional stress. Support services are available for care givers alongside the person suffering with dementia via Gp, social services or online forums.

Vulnerability is defined as susceptibility or increased risk for health problems (DeChesnay, 2008).  A group of individuals are considered at higher risk for illness when their physical, emotional, psychological, or social health, is compromised (Aday, 2001).  There are many leading causes for why a population is considered at higher risk; socioeconomic, age, gender, demographics, personal, and cultural backgrounds are some of the key factors (Aday, 2001; Sebation, 1996). Individuals can become vulnerable at any time because of change in life circumstances, placing them at higher risk. One group

It can be very difficult caring for a patient with dementia. Most caregivers are unaware

In addition to these psychological ramifications the caregiver also can suffer physical ailments, using more prescription medications and more health care providers than a non-care-giving counterpart (Greenwood, 2012). The spouse with dementia often needs constant care and supervision but is not necessarily in need of

At Rosener House, our group focused on the outcome goals for improving the quality of care for Alzheimer’s participants, which includes the objectives and initiatives that Healthy People 2020 has laid out for the elderly population. Our target population has cognitive and some physical impairments that may lead to frustration, agitation, and antisocial behavior. The participants have the same health concerns as the rest of the elderly population with additional complications of dementia. The key for this group of adult day care residents is to involve their primary caregivers in all of the education sessions, monitoring, and lifestyle changes.

Dementia is an extremely common disease among the elderly, with 4 million Americans currently suffering from the Alzheimer’s type alone. Figures show that 3% of people between the ages of 65-74 suffer from the disease, rapidly increasing to 19% for the 75-84 age bracket, and as high as 47% for the over 85s. Therefore, it is easy to see why Dementia is such a large part of many people’s lives, whether they are suffering from the condition themselves, or have an elderly relative who requires full time care just to undertake simple day to day tasks. The disease can be extremely traumatic for the patient and their families, as the person, who may have been extremely lively and bright throughout their

The elderly, or senior citizens, have always been considered a vulnerable population, physically, mentally, and socially. This population faces a variety of problems every day including many economic struggles. Older adults and the elderly are facing many financial challenges that may not have been anticipated. In spite of good planning and sensible living, their resources may be sorely compromised, sometimes destroyed. What can be done to help this population through the transition into retirement? There are programs that do assist them including Social Security, Medicare and Pensions, however is it enough? The Social Security Act of 1935 along with Medicare have helped many Americans since they have been around and have

Declining health and depression are two of the largest reasons families look into assisted living homes for aging loved ones. Making sure that the healthcare needs of the elderly are met becomes a priority for every family as the roles begin to reverse from the parent being the primary caregiver of their children to the children being responsible for meeting the needs of aging parents. Diseases such Alzheimer’s and dementia are very difficult for not only the

A lack of understanding can make carers provide the wrong sort of support, some carers might be overprotective and do too much for the individual, some people think dementia is funny and laugh at the individual. Working with people with varying different types and forms of dementias can be stressful but it`s important to remain supportive and understanding of each individual and retain their dignity through each stage and each day without having any adverse effects on their daily living tasks or decisions. You as a carer can influence their decision and choices by being in a bad mood, by showing distaste or distrust for certain people or foods and as such should be in control of your facial expressions and actions. It`s important to understand

“Dementia results in a progressive decline in multiple areas of functioning, including memory, reasoning, communication skills and the skills to carry out daily activities. Alongside this decline, individuals may develop behavioural and psychological symptoms such as depression, psychosis, aggression and wandering, which complicate care and can occur at any stage of the illness. Family carers of people with dementia are often old and frail themselves with high levels of depression and physical illness” (DOH 2009)

One of the greatest challenges of the twenty first century will be the tremendous increase in the number of older adults throughout the world. Elderly people are the most rapidly increasing age group in Canada. In 2000 there was about 3.8 million Canadians were 65 years older. Statistics of Canada projects that by 2021, it will get doubled (Hick S., 2010, p.270). It is sure that this demographic trend will affect most part of our society, especially the health care needs and the delivery of health services. There will be a huge increase in the issues that affect the older Canadians. It is important that future health care professionals especially the social Service workers should be prepared to meet the needs of the increasing aging population across the globe. This paper examines the main problems faced by senior population in Canada, the different social work theories related to ageism and the different roles, values, knowledge and responsibilities needed for gerontological social work practice.