Introduction Late Adulthood comes with a great number of things, which typically simply build on what was discovered in Adulthood. The ideal remaining relevant in society is in the forefront; while traditional work may end volunteerism picks up (Berger, 2014). Those that have the ability to work do so in order to maintain social relationships fighting the isolation, and loneliness that is a major problem. Speaking with my grandmother she talked about barriers she has faced throughout the aging process to include; coping in retirement, loss of friends, and the idea of becoming frail. There is a relationship between old age and late life loneliness; whether is perceived or actual is irrelevant, as society views elderly people differently …show more content…
So for me to hear her talk of sitting at the right hand of God is normal; while some may consider this gerotranscendence a term relating to Erik Erikson’s wife Joan, I know better. Death is not the only factor that leads to loss of friends; this phenomenon also occurs as people lose the ability to travel as freely as they once could. Some people choose to age in place and others find the comfort of a retirement community more suitable for their life, which removes them from their social convoy (Berger, 2014). Loss within the community, whether perceived or actual, plays a role in comfort in communicating with friends they once were extremely close with or choosing not …show more content…
Limited mobility is a factor that creates a situation where people once social butterflies become home bound, creating a need for increased care (Berger, 2014). As age increases, more support may be needed creating a situation where a nurse would need to support my aunt in the care for my grandmother. Respite care and/or some form of assisted living may be on the horizon; however, as of right now my grandmother is in her home where she wants to be with the ability to stay for the unforseen
Russell (1978), (http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jedp/article/download/46795/25238) established the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness scale, which has been widely employed to this day, and performed a theoretical factor analysis for loneliness. His research and results attracted broad attention around the world. Loneliness can be studied by three approaches: the cognitive process approach, the human needs approach and the behavioral approach. The cognitive process approach emphasizes an individual’s mental awareness and assesses his or her social
There are many environmental influences as well as human behaviors that contribute to one’s expected life span. Health and lifestyle are two major factors that play a role in determining what life would be like during the senior years of life. There are many advantages to having a strong social support network that consists of caregivers paid and unpaid. Seniors with this tend to live longer, remain independent and stay active in their later years. Citizens in today’s society are living longer due to technology, medications and an overall healthier lifestyle. Many reach the age of 100 but the maximum human life span is 120 years old. One’s personal data, career choices, environmental influences and amount of active interactions will determine how those of the older population will experience the aging process.
There are two theories of ageing. The disengagement theory is when the elderly unfortunately start to give up with activities or social life. They become withdrawn from society. This is when you disengage from any way of contact or interaction. The reason for disengagement theory may be because physical functions deteriorate. There are three phases of disengagement theory. These are shrinkage of life space is when you are not working or have no contact with friends and family. You don’t get to meet new people. You decide not to take up any hobbies or activities. The second phase is increased individuality. This is when you become independent and what others do does not matter to you. The third phase is acceptance. You start to accept things the way they are. You accept that it is the last stage of life and don’t try to fight it.
Mollie is the patient in our case study. Mollie lives with her daughter and son in law, both in their 70’s. A home health aide assists Mollie five days a week for three hours each day. At age 94, Mollie is an older adult, considered to be part of a vulnerable population, at risk for hearing, visual and mobility deficits. This at risk population can experience changes in cognitive or physical status making the activities of daily living difficult to perform (Meiner, 2011). As people like Mollie age, gradually becoming less able to function independently, their grown children, potential caregivers, may be preoccupied with the demands of their own lives and not prepared to care for an older
Emerging Adulthood represents the period of development from late teens through their twenties, mainly focusing on the ages 18-25. This is the period which people start exploring and realizing the capabilities of their lives, which then helps them characterize as adults and no longer teenagers. This topic of psychology is compelling to me because it’s a stage that every adult has lived through, it’s interesting that we have all experienced it differently based on our life circumstances and demographics. It’s interesting to see the changes throughout the years and eventually it will be easier for young people to explore these years as more young adults are going to school nowadays. It teaches me to further understand why emerging adults go through
Life event such as retirement could cause social isolation. Most elderly people are vulnerable and living in isolation. They are not physically active. They are lonely and they have minimal contact and access to things around them. Living in isolation can impact the lives of elderly, which can then lead to suicide. It is true that different types of diseases emerges during late adulthood, but I am not really knowledgeable about those diseases because it is not as rampant as it is in western world in comparison to Nigeria, my home
In today’s society, what was once said to be true and taken as fact regarding older people is no longer the whole story. As Laslett states, “At all times before the middle of the twentieth century and all over the globe the greater part of human life potential has been wasted, by people dying before their allotted time was up.” (1989a), and to a great extent a lot
The middle adulthood life stage interview was conducted by, Bonnie McDaniel, David Pearson, Jordan Ivy, and Lindsay Belus. During their interview of Nathan, age 43, they were able to effectively demonstrate the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual developmental stages that accompany an individual between the ages of 35-50.
There has been a considerable amount of inquiry which has associated loneliness to depression, low self-esteem, and physical illness (Hawley & Cacioppo, 2007; Sorkin, Rook, & Lu, 2002). Loneliness can also be detrimental to health as well as overall well-being later in life due to recent evidence implying that it accelerates physiological deterioration and advancement of chronic diseases in the elderly (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2007).
After reading the articles, my thoughts on older people has changed. Firstly, I learned that an important aspect of aging is quality of life. Specifically, aging people lose a sense of independence and it can be upsetting. Not being able to drive your car to the store or even take a walk outside without some sort of assistance can be a very difficult fact to accept. Because of this, it is important that senior citizens are given the opportunity to participate in activities that help to reestablish their sense of independence. Losing independence has been shown to have negative psychological results. Some of which include feeling isolated and loneliness. Research has proved that the more activities senior citizens participate in, the better
Poon, L. W. (2011). Affect and loneliness among centenarians and the oldest old: The role of
The older the people get, the more they start to go down separate paths which can lead them to follow a certain theory of ageing such as the activity theory or the disengagement theory. Everyone grows older and will have to deal with their age, but each individual deals with their aging process contrastingly, some like to stay active and get involved with as many things as possible, which is the activity theory, but others choose to keep away from all things social and disengage from everyone and everything, which is the disengagement theory. Both theories have contrasting opinions on how we should age, but there are lots of different ways an elderly person can keep fit and active and be sociable at the same time with clubs and group activities that are provided for the individuals. The features are important for older individuals to keep physically and mentally healthy.
Likewise, Launaigh and Lawlor state that their study indicates that “loneliness appears to be a risk factor for poor physical health (1218). Increased depression, blood pressure, poor sleep and cognitive decline have all been connected to loneliness. As a result, Launaigh and Lawlor suggest that “further research should be focused on possible interventions against loneliness”(1219). As a supporter in this research, I have witnessed that my grandparents seem to feel better physical when they are engaged in social activities and communicating with others. I feel that many other elderly would benefit from such interventions against the
C., Penna, M. P., & Hitchcott, P. K. (2014). Mental health in late adulthood: What can preserve it?. Applied Research In Quality Of Life, doi:10.1007/s11482-014-9323-5
During young adulthood, range from 18- 40 years old, life is quite busy since people are always on the run. It is easy to say that many people do not think what they eat before they eat. Perhaps, it is because of the busy life during young adulthood that has a huge impact in our diet which can be detrimental to our health. In addition, many people have to go to work and school and they end up having little or no time to eat. In this case, they run to the closest fast food place and order something that is not very healthy. According to Fryer and Ervin (2013), “During 2007–2010, adults consumed, on average, 11.3% of their total daily calories from fast food.” Young adulthood is the phase in life that many people consume low nutrient food which