There are currently more than 34 million seniors residing in the United States ("Psychosocial Needs of the Elderly"). This exemplifies that elders compromise a large percentage of the population, thusly, the American public must advocate for their wellbeing. In fact, the health and productivity of the geriatric community reflects the country’s passion for caring for the unable and providing charity. It is intolerable to disregard the needs of those who have shared so much history and contributed immeasurably to the very foundation of this nation. One of the most important and far reaching components for the wellbeing of elders is socialization. Tinglin states that “the prevalence of social isolation among older adults is increasingly problematic considering that by 2030, the population of older adults older than 65 will make up 20% of the population”. This is an issue of mind over body. There are many causes that can contribute to social isolation. On the other hand, it is apparent that there are consequences for those who do not receive social requirements such as diseases and contributions to physiological abnormalities. Furthermore, there are benefits from maintaining a healthy social life. Fortunately there are also way to prevent social isolation. In summary, socialization is a human necessity that is vital for the overall health and wellbeing of elders. The cause of social isolation may seem rather obvious, however, there are many underlying factors present in this worrying occurrence. The Kansas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging offers some overlooked causes of such a concerning condition. Not only does infrequent visits from busy children and grandchildren or the distance between the houses of family l... ... middle of paper ... ...al to those who have poor access to others. The article “Older Adults and the Importance of Social Interaction” provides way in which seniors who are independent can maintain a healthy social life. Activities such as taking classes to perhaps learn a language, cook, or discover a new hobby. There is a focus on spending time with grandchildren to “absorb some of their youthful energy”. It is important that contact is convenient and one should provide ways for elders to socialize. Humans are social creatures which need personal connections all throughout life. When one ages it becomes harder to maintain social contact with others. Therefore, seniors, out of all other age groups, suffer the most both physically and mentally. To respect and care for elders to respect and care for the history of the nation, being that they are who shaped it.
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,
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.
Some of the many common mistaken views of aging would involve our society seeing aging as something that will be a big problem for us and bring about burden. Other issues to consider are that aging is for everyone, not just the elderly. In many people’s minds, you say “aging” and the first thing that comes to mind is an elderly lady or man, retired, grey hair, and no longer full of life. However, children, young adults, and older adults are aging every day. As mentioned in Aging Concepts and Controversies page 91, “…half a million people over age 60 are studying on college campuses.” It also mentions how military officials are retiring in between 40 and 50, and grandmothers are appearing as early as their 30’s. For myself, I noticed that this discrimination was
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
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
According to the U.S. census bureau older adults are an important and rapidly growing segment of the United States’ population. There are about 40 million older adults aged 65 and older residing in Unites States and it is projected to be more than double by 2050(Population Reference Bureau, 2015). This projection is due to advancement in health care facilities and better education (Population Reference Bureau, 2015). As people age they face various physical, psychological and social roles changes which affects their quality of life.
One of the most important concerns that not only the certain region or country but the whole globe is facing with is the societal aging. Societal aging refers to the “social and demographic process that result in the aging of a population” Aging of the population would impact different aspect of social life. For instance, as the baby boomers aging, the evolvement of those generation in different community would increase. Also, the expectation of better healthcare and ethical issues around the aged people has grown (Morgan & Kunkle 2016: 6).
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
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...
Understanding these topics has helped me realize that my viewpoints of elder adults and the process of aging are shaped by stereotypes embedded in my culture, which have affected the way I, as well as my family, communicate with one another. The Communication Predicament Model of Aging (Ryan, Giles, Bartolucci & Henwood, 1986, as cited in Giles, Oct. 21, 2014) proposed that these negative characteristics listed in exercise one can act as triggers for age stereotypes and lead to negative speech between the two groups (younger and older adults). This restricts communication opportunities between said groups, encouraging less social interaction with older adults. Thus, older adults can lose a vast amount of self-esteem, creating physiological and psychological problems.
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,
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.
America is a country where everyone is free to live however they like, but it is possible for some people to live a happy life, if no one is around to take care of them. Nearly three hundred million people reside in the America, and out of those three hundred million populations, senior citizens make a 12 percent of the entire population. A senior citizen is commonly known as a person who is over the age of 65 and living on retirement, or known as social security benefits (Census Bureau). Ever since Franklin D. Roosevelt implied the act of Social Security in 1935, seniors are regularly provided a financial help, but seniors, along with financial help, seeks also accompany of someone who can look after them. Because of constantly growing needs of senior citizens, government as well as many non-profit organizations is working on helping seniors. Therefore I decided to research on this particular issue in my community, and I found that 64.5% of seniors are living alone in metropolitan area of Atlanta.
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.
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