The elderly are a fast growing demographic group, with the population estimated to reach 16.9 million by 2035 in the UK, due to low fertility rates, improved healthcare and thus longer life expectancy (Rutherford 2012), which is problematic due to many experiencing multiple exclusion (Age Concern England 2008). The problem intensifies once over aged 75 (De Markokos 2008). This is due to what geographers label the ‘social model’ whereby as ageing occurs there is a progressive withdrawal from society, especially in Western cultures after retirement age (Gregory et al. 2009 p.12), leading to high dependency rates (Rutherford 2012). However, it is important to recognise that the elderly are not a homogenous group due to individuals experiencing different life courses, a result of post modernity fracturing old age (Pain 2001 p.144). Nevertheless, it is important that geographical attention is paid to the elderly as historically it has been highly fragmented, with the geography of children preferable (Gregory et al. 2009 p.13) despite there being a projected 4 million more elderly people than youths by 2035 (Rutherford 2012).
The elderly more at risk of isolation include those who reside in urban areas (Dwyer and Hardill 2011), due to the damaging of kinship bonds in such an environment (Simmel 1903), with up to 50% of the elderly over 80 years old reporting they are often isolated (Dykstra 2009). Thus, the elderly prefer to spend more time in their homes (AARP 1996), as it
Generally, social work is affiliated with the younger population or topics of abuse and neglect in the home. While this can be a vital part of the job description, social work is a diversified field with many other career opportunities. A social worker’s ethical job responsibilities are outlined in NASW Code of Ethics (1999). The following sections will review these responsibilities in relation to aging populations and a social workers practice.
I will be presenting part of what I am thinking to write about in the chapter, at the Aging and Society's 6th Interdisciplinary conference in October. If the presentation would not violate the terms of the chapter submission, I would be very happy to contribute to the book.
As defined by Crossman (Disengagement Theory n.d.) “Disengagement theory states that in every society, the elderly undergo a process of adjustment in which they leave important public roles and narrow their social world to family and friends”. Thus, the
Mrs Ann Smith is a seventy nine year old woman and she has several problems regarding her health and well-being in her elderly age. Many policies and legislation ensure the safety and well-being of the elderly such as Mrs Smith. Legislation and policies safeguard the elderly including Mrs Smith to receive the fair treatment of care and to stop discrimination and exclusion. Discrimination and exclusion is still prevalent today and within contemporary society the ageing population is rising, discrimination and exclusion could increase if it is not appropriately tackled by contemporary society today. There are numerous theories of ageing, some theories are disengagement theory, and the activity theory and these theories have developed key concepts and the effects of ageing on individuals and contemporary society today.
In Chapter 15: Aging and the Elderly, the U.S. birth rate has been falling for more than a century. It happens because children are more likely to survive into adulthood, and so couple have fewer children. As more women work outside the home, they choose to have fewer children. Greater material wealth and advances in medicine have raised living standards so that people benefit from better housing and more nutrition. The oldest segment of the U.S. population, is increasing rapidly and is already forty times greater than in 1900.
Relatively new to this research are the correlations found between living environments and improved health and well-being for the people who live there. Employment and business opportunities also arise to support and maintain services for this vastly growing cohort. Ideas are being put forth now to create urban communities for senior living that will embrace continued learning and service opportunities. Aging-In-Place models, where seniors remain at home and in the community in which they have always lived is argued in research entitled, Innovative Models of Aging in Place: Transforming our Communities for an Aging Population (Bookman). Membership in a community can build relationships and identify common interests and purpose, as well as integrated settings to help promote meaning in the “golden years”. Bookman states that this is a global phenomenon and that in 1950 only 8% of the world population was over 60. Less than 70 years later that has changed dramatically, with the largest increase occurring in the most developed nations. The many benefits are people who are not only living longer, but leading active and healthy lives into ones 80’s and 90’s. The wisdom, experience and skills of this older population are available to family, friends and the communities for many decades. On the other hand, there are also
In this reflective essay, I shall be representing a critical understanding of the Risks in view of, an older adult, as an alternative area of practice, to that of my own nursing Adult field. The scenario takes place, within a clinical acute setting, with following the use of Driscolls Reflective Model (1994), Driscoll uses a framework to reflect on the scenario, What? Happened, So, What? How you were feeling at the time, and Now, What? Actions to be taken. However, to maintain confidentiality, which is set by the (NMC) Nursing and midwifery council (2008) all names of places and patients names have been changed and I shall be using the pseudonym Mrs M, for an 85-year older patient.
Worldwide, with increase in life expectancy more women and men are experiencing the role of grandparent and length of occupancy in the role is increasing (Armstrong, 2003). However in America, after age 75, about 9 percent have difficulty carrying out activities of daily living (Berk, 2010). When considering the cultural approach of aging in late adulthood, we see that aging adults are treated differently depending on what community or cultural background they originated from. With the increase in life expectancy, many opportunities had been provided to psychologists to conduct research and practice with aging adults (APA, 2003). This has enabled many researchers to study aging in the United States and other countries. With those
Simple misconceptions of the elder sexuality are often made based on what others say, lack of knowledge, and the medias representation. As stated in chapter 11, Americans live in a youth-oriented, consumer-based society, essentially meaning that only the young are beautiful and sexy and we should fear aging because of the negative side effects that come with old age. Although, we eventually become victims of our own negative views of the elderly and I don’t think the misconceptions of the elderly will change anytime soon, partially because the media would need to change the way they portray how we think the elderly act and behave, and portray them more realistically. A majority of the elder population is at least interested in sex later in
Researchers have identified several main gaps in this research area. These include difficulties in measuring social isolation, lack of randomisation in studies, as well as small sample sizes, meta analysis being conducted purely on English written studies and very limited research that has been carried out in Australia (Dickens, et al., 2011). Very few studies who look at social isolation in both urban and rurall environments (Luggen & Rini, 1995). Bruce (2002) emphasised that psychosocial factors needed to be studied in the context of biological variables. While Pittock (2012) stresses the need for more research into cost-effective treatment options for social isolation and depression in the elderly research into residential care is lacking, as well as limited studies focusing on protective factors for social isolation and depression. Grenade and
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
The ‘golden years’ are the typical societal perception of adequate finances, good health and spare time that offers older people the opportunity and freedom of enjoying a phase where life is lived to the full (Barnes, 2011). This notion is rather a misconception, appertaining predominately to the financially secure minority who have always lived with relative ease. In comparison, the lifelong rigours of those less fortunate tends to result in them being one of society’s most vulnerable through succumbing to age-related problems, particularly frailty, physical and mental impairments. Hindered with low income, poor support networks and deteriorating health at an earlier age, life for a growing number of older citizens increasingly lacks quality, revolving around loneliness, pain and misery (Norton and West, 2014).
Social aging is referring to the changes in individual’s roles and relationship in the society as they age. There are many different theories concerning sociological aging. Social theories on aging examine the relationship between individual experiences and social institutions e.g., aging and retirement; aging and institutional care; aging and government policy etc (Barkan 2012). All have limitations, and some can be considered more than others when attempting to understand social changes in aging. Also individuals move through life surrounded by social support system. Some theories of aging such as, role theory, activity theory, modernization, etc. consist of different ways older adults transition through life such as, networks of relatives, friends, and organization that help provide emotional support and help in managing activities in daily living.
The older adult population in the United States has steadily increased thanks to technology and medical advances. While this definitely is an undeniable achievement, it also creates some challenges that society was not as prevalent to face before. Now that people are living longer it’s also means that often times family members are becoming caregivers to their loved ones during their so called golden years. Not only may it be difficult to care for a loved one, but it also becomes even more burdensome when their loved has a disability. In fact “dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.” (2016). Fortunately there are adult day centers that serve people with dementia and provide services that can benefit them. However many times caregivers are forgotten about and aren’t provided services that can also benefit them as well. While it does take a bit of pressure off of the caregivers while their loved ones are at the day center, it does not eliminate all the other effects. Many people may not be aware that there are detrimental effects that a caregiver may experience as a result of caring for someone with dementia.
Where do the elderly live? The environments and living situations of older Americans are dependent on many factors. Where they live also matters for many reasons including economical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual factors. As one gets older, the number one concern is “where will I live” according to a Pew research (Kent, Pew Research, 2015). In the United States, approximately a third of the 40 million elderly Americans (as of 2013) lived alone (Kent, Pew Research). Moreover, Geriatric institute states that the majority of elderly Americans (about four out of five) living alone are women. Research has found that men die sooner than women or remarry after being widowed or divorced (Kent, Pew Research). As baby boomers age and