Social Support To Successful Aging Essay

672 Words2 Pages

Despite the numerous research on successful aging, it has become more increasingly important to consider the impact of social support and its contribution to successful aging. More specifically the roles held by older adults, how these roles serve as a form of social support and contribute to successful aging. Since roles change and fluctuate in number as individuals age, it seems that with old age the number of roles decline, possibly due to the loss of socials ties that occur with age. In analyzing how social support contributes to successful aging, there will be a focus on cultural and gender variation in social roles. Howie, Troutman, and Newman (2014), found a correlation between social support and successful aging. Supporting the notion that receiving adequate social support is a major factor of successful aging. Older individuals living at assisted living have reduced social networks and reduced social interactions (Howie, Troutman, & Newman, 2014). Although most American families refrain from placing older family members in assisted living facilities, however Asians, Latinos, and African Americans are least likely to do so (Parra & Espino, 1992). Suggesting …show more content…

Cultural perception of aging not only affects the individual's experience of aging, it also influences relationships and social interaction with the elderly. In any social relationship there is a give and take of social support, however the availability of social support conveys the value of a person, and how the person belong as a member of a social network (Wills, 1991). This can be demonstrated by comparing the roles held by older adult living with family and to those living alone or in institutions, and by measuring the individual’s degree of successful aging to see a correlation between social support and successful

Show More
Related

  • Transition Into Adulthood Essay

    1203 Words  | 3 Pages

    For all teens, the transition into adulthood is generally seen as a challenging and scary process. For teens diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as their caregivers, this transition is often more complicated. The period of transition for individuals with ASD into adulthood is intensely more challenging due to their “unique characteristics, the lack of services that address the special needs of such individuals in adulthood, and the expectations of society for a typical path to adulthood in the face of atypical problems” (Geller and Greenberg, 2009, pg. 93). Without the necessary resources to transition, teens with ASD find themselves unprepared for life at work, in college, or community living. Through this paper, the reader will obtain knowledge in regards to what ASD is, the barriers it yields concerning the transition into adulthood, and the effects it has on the individual as well

    Read More

  • Erick Erickson's Development Theory

    949 Words  | 2 Pages

    However, some variation and possible novelty surfaced in this period of the lifespan. According to (Clark, Ouellette, Powell, & Milberg, 1987), in late adulthood, social interactions are more about communal orientation. Meaning that in this stage, friendships are deeply about the welfare of friends, concerns for friend’s well-being, and support, which portrayed this stage mainly about high quality relations. In his research, Field (1999) reported that late adults’ deep care for friend’s well-being is understandable for the fact that, older adults are in the stage where health issues often emerge, therefore, a sense of vulnerability arised. However, normative life events that retained social interactions in middle adulthood decrease because they are most likely release from family restraint, workforce responsibility and past personal obligations (Field,

    Read More

  • Older People Interview Essay

    869 Words  | 2 Pages

    The older person that I interviewed was my great-grandfather, Kay Wilson. He is eighty-three years old and is currently retired, living at home. Wilson was born on February 27, 1934 and raised in Sylacauga, AL by his mother. His father was not active in his life, but his grandparents were his main caretakers growing up.

    Read More

  • Aging Population In Canada

    1141 Words  | 3 Pages

    Social integration and participation of seniors in society are important indicators of healthy aging. However, seniors are always at risk of being socially isolated. Many factors can cause social isolation and among them population aging that resulted more seniors to live longer is one of the most important factors.

    Read More

  • Nursing Home Culture

    1028 Words  | 3 Pages

    Certain cultures that live at or below the poverty line prefer this type of assistance for their elderly family members because it allows them to have someone meet them at their home. This convenience is a big factor and provides the elderly with a way to fulfill their communal culture by living out their time at home among family, while still receiving any necessary assistance for health checks or IADL’s. This improves their quality of life by meeting their needs in a different way. These alternative methods to older adult care are more popular among minorities and cultural groups (Bookman & Kimbrel, 2011).

    Read More

  • Stereotypes In Older Adults

    1879 Words  | 4 Pages

    Aging is universal and it is a process that everyone has to go through. The only difference is that everyone goes through this process at their own pace influenced by factors that will be discussed later on in this paper. When we think about factors that have an influence on older adults and how their life may be affected, we must consider the different social institutions while analyzing influences from social factors, cultural factors, and personal values. Abuse to older adults, stereotyping and informal care and technological advancements that affect older adults are the three topics that will be discussed in this reflection. Furthermore, will connect the three topics I have chosen to the knowledge that I have gained from my interaction

    Read More

  • Human Behavior and the Social Environment: A Look at Three Theories

    1296 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hooyman, N., & Kiyak, H. A. (2011). Social gerontology: A multidisciplinary perspective (9th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. (Original work published 2005)

    Read More

  • Successful Aging Elderly (SAE)

    2206 Words  | 5 Pages

    Aging and old age for a long time presented as dominated by negative traits and states such as sickness, depression and isolation. The aging process is not simply senescence most people over the age of 65 are not Senile, bedridden, isolated, or suicidal (Aldwin & Levenson, 1994). This change in perspective led the investigation of the other side of the coin. Ageing is seen as health, maturity and personal Royal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generatively, coping and acceptance of age-related constraints (Birren & Fisher, 1995). Psychological und...

    Read More

  • Substance Abuse and the Elderly

    2005 Words  | 5 Pages

    Atchley, R. C. (1997). Social forces and aging: An introduction to social gerontology (8th ed.).

    Read More

  • Interview With Older Adults Essay

    772 Words  | 2 Pages

    Older adults are a very knowledgeable population and have had a lot of life experiences. As people age, things start to change physically, mentally, and socially. It’s important to understand the process of aging, so that older adults can be taken care of properly. I interviewed P.R. who is a 71-year-old male that lives alone in his home. P.R. is a retired coal miner, and is currently living off his social security and savings. He lives close to both his daughter and son, who frequently help him out with things that are needed. P.R. was able to give me a lot of insight about specific challenges that he has experienced in his life that is associated with aging. I will be discussing challenges that P.R experienced physically, mentally,

    Read More

  • Importance Of Active Ageing

    1255 Words  | 3 Pages

    Active ageing does not stop when elderly people retire, as they can remain active through their families, peers and communities. Active ageing aims to allow elderly people to realise and bring awareness to their own psychological, physical and mental well-being. As the goal of active ageing is the autonomy and independence of elderly people (Alexandre, Cordeiro, & Ramos, 2009). Ageing is a continuing life cycle, it is an ongoing developmental event that brings about certain changes in one’s own psychological and physical state. It is a time in one's own life where an elderly individual reminisces and reflects, basks and lives on previous accomplishments and begins to finish his life cycle.

    Read More

  • Late Adulthood Essay

    706 Words  | 2 Pages

    When elderly people move into the last of life’s eight stages of psychosocial development, they enter the ego-integrity-versus-despair stage. This process is defined by looking back over someone’s life, evaluating it, then accepting it. People who become successful in this stage feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Erikson refers to this acceptance as integrity. This differs from generativity because one is accepting the end of their life, instead of accepting where their life will start in a sense of career and self. However, if one is to look back on their life with dissatisfaction, they may feel they have been cheated or missed opportunities. Such individuals will mostly be depressed or angry about the way life turned out and

    Read More

  • Interview With an Elderly Person

    2512 Words  | 6 Pages

    Aging and being old was dominated by negative characteristics and conditions such as illness, depression, and isolation for a long time (Eibach, Mock, & Courtney, 2010). At first glance the terms “success” and “aging” seem to be in conflict to each other. When asking people about aging, their answers have many facets that are also found in psychological definitions: successful aging is seen as health, maturity and personal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generativity, coping, and acceptance of age-related limitations. In the psychological sense successful aging is also often seen as the absence of age-associated characteristics (Strawbridge, Wallhagen, & Cohen, 2002). It seems that successful aging means is not aging.

    Read More

  • Essay On Social Support

    1966 Words  | 4 Pages

    As articulated in this essay, Social support and its effects have a positive effect on individuals across a large variety of settings, both urban and rural as well as across all age groups and different life situations including substance rehabilitation, transition to motherhood and in relationships of abuse. The effects of social support are nearly all positive and include delay on the onset of cognitive decline, improved chance of sobriety, better feelings towards becoming a mother, increased nutrient intake, increased life expectancy and lowered likelihood of mental health issues.

    Read More

  • Essay On Active Ageing

    1640 Words  | 4 Pages

    While being social has many benefits to the health of a person, it can have a negative effect if there is any financial stress, increased burdens, or ailing family member or partner (Annear et al., 2012). Caring for others as an elderly person can have both negative and positive effects while providing companionship and a sense of purpose, it can also make the elderly carers life more stressful and can sometimes make the carer feel emotionally isolated (Annear et al., 2012). Joining social groups will get encourage participation and interaction with other members of their social group; this will help in minimising the potential for social isolation and detachment. Barriers to having an active social health are living in rural or remote areas, long distances to services and social networks. It is important for elderly people to feel they still have some form of connection with their friends and family and feel that are still connect to

    Read More

More about Social Support To Successful Aging Essay

Open Document