Aging is an unavoidable and irreversible change as a result of demographic transition in all societies. Family support for the elderly people has become a very important issue in examining the overall well-being of the elderly people. Family support is playing a key role in determining the quality of life (QOL) of the aged people. Elderly women have larger social networks outside the work environment than those of men (Tough et al.., 2012). Family as a social institution is closest and its influence can be felt in everyday life (Health Canada, 2004). It is a place where a person finds and expects the most encouragement, comfort and security and help if needed. “Health is where home is” Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). I choose to write on “importance of family support and home based care for healthy aging”. I am interested to learn about the topic because it is the emerging issue in …show more content…
It is found that family support is strongly associated with happiness, signifying that family relationship plays a vital role in QOL (North et al, 2008). Society today is shifting away from formal institutional care and creating an increased demand for family or informal care of the elderly (Health Canada, 2004). Family care is an inexpensive alternative to long term care institutions. Family care and support are seen an important factor of physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing among the older population (Antonucci et al, 2006). Family support influences an elderly person’s quality of life and those who have supportive social networks have better physical and mental health than those older people who do not have meaningful ties with others and family (Berkman, 1995). Throughout this course I learned that every individual, regardless of their age should be given autonomy about living their life, which enhance healthy
Touhy, T. A., & Jett, K. (2012). Toward healthy aging: Human needs & nursing response (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Mosby.
Similarly, in an Australian household their family members depend on their social solidarity and mutual obligation to provide both emotional and practical support when older people are unable to care for themselves independently (Yeboah, 2015). Though, when it comes to seeking assistance, both cultures demonstrate great differences. For instance, Puerto Rican families seek outside help when their elders have severe disabilities due to their assimilation to American culture (Delgado & Tennstedt, 1997). Whereas, Australian families tend to keep assistance to a minimum by having care brought from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) approach, which accommodates older adults based on their cultural background (Yeboah, 2015). A point often overlooked is that regardless of the quality of care the older adult receives, they prefer to be located close to family. More importantly, a nursing home produces an environment that shows little consideration for family values, which is the main aspect older adults strive for when considering a nursing home. Therefore, participating in a nursing home can be disputed because it is the defining line between a good or poor quality of life if the older adult fails to make it their home. Quality of life refers to the perceptions people have of their position
Touhy, T.A., Freudenberger J.K., Ebersole, P., & Hess, P.A. (2012). Ebersole & Hess' toward healthy aging: human needs & nursing response. Toronto: Mosby Inc. Retrieved from http://evolve.elsevier.com/staticPages/i_index.html
To deal with the issue of an aging population, an awareness campaign about the health issues that commonly affect aged people should be run by the government and non-governmental agencies. In addition, awareness should be created among the young to accommodate the elderly; at home as well as at work places...
There are changes in the demographic as the population grows older, the number of older adult’s increases and thus, there is an increase of proportion of patients that are older adults for nurses to take care of (Wells, Y., Foreman, P., Gething, L., & Petralia, W., 2004). The nurses are there to assist and support the older adults in achieving wellness within their situation through empowering the clients (Touhy, et al (2012). Caring for older adults is important as there is an increase in population with deteriorating health. When caring for a client it is important to incorporate Jean Watson’s caring theories and Carative Factors to help influence and support the care. She encourages nurses to co-participate within the caring process by establishing unity and trust between the nurse and client. First, this paper will explain a situation in where I cared for an older adult and it will then introduce Jean Watson’s lower order needs, specifically the need for activity and how it relates to the older adult I cared for. Lastly, this paper will explain the nursing interventions I implemented to meet the lower order need, with a discussion of Carative Factor #4 relating to the client.
Roberto, K. A., & Jarrott, S. E. (2008, January). Family Caregivers of Older Adults: A Life Span Perspective. Family Relations , 100-111.
Traditionally, in numerous societies as mothers and fathers grow older, their offspring physically repay their debts, emotionally and financially to their parents. They take care of them. In spite of the fact that this continues today in modern and postmodern societies families have themselves changed thus have the baselines of support and care. Increasingly, in numerous societies individuals come to live all alone or are placed in nursing care homes as they grow older there is placing an increased demand on the aged care system, as well as several health inequalities.
After spending an afternoon interviewing my elderly father-in-law, I gained insight into how he perceives the aging process and the impact on the quality of his life. First, and foremost he viewed aging in a very positive and healthy manner. He believes that a positive attitude assists in accepting physical and psychosocial changes and enjoyed the fact that he and his wife are both physically fit and cognitively alert. He felt confident that advances made in health care and the quality of their lives would continue to be empowering. He enjoys the benefits of being a senior citizen including discounted travel, free education, and other incentives marketed towards seniors. He expressed a sense of well-being with respect to the numerous housing options geared towards the graying population, such as Retirement Villages, and assisted living. However, the subjects of Long Term Care, Social security reform and government involvement in health care reform were subjects he regarded with very strong negative emotions. During the interview these issues as related to his experiences with health care were discussed with zeal and frustration.
Caring for an older parent involves more than buying them new clothes and giving them medicine, they have emotional needs as well as healthcare needs. This is why in many situations formal and informal care are both necessary to satisfy an older persons needs. Studies by gerontologists show that women/daughters are more likely to take on the responsibility of caring for their parent(s). (3__) The type of care and emotions arised while caring for an older parents also differs between men and women. A study confucted by Campbell and Carol (2007) on 58 adult sons showed some comm experiences and emotions. (325) Some of these
Why do the elderly go to retirement homes when they become dependent on basic care? A common practice for many people living in the United States is to arrange for their parents to move to assisted living apartments or nursing homes when they feel they are unable to take care of themselves. It has become socially acceptable to pay someone else to care for family members. Unless the care that is needed is beyond the scope of an individual, such as constant medical supervision, I believe that it should be the family’s responsibility to provide care to the individual, but this differs with each family. This idea of "oweing" your parents something because of what they have done for you is an idea that many scholars disagree with. On the contrary, they claim that is "not debt but gratitude" that children support their parents (Miller, 2003, p.3).
Caregiving for an elderly individual, or family member, can often result in stress for a caregiver (Bevans, 2012; Haley, 2003; Weitzner, Haley, & Chen, 2000; McMillan, 2005; Ugalde, Krishnasamy, & Schofield, 2011). This is a time during the family life cycle that the family often needs to re-arrange the way it is structured, and operates. It is characterized by the shifting of relationship between an elderly adult and his/her adult child, specifically because the elderly parent begins to rely on the child for increased support and assistance. This is because in later adulthood, individuals begin to age and can become ill or frail (; Anderson & Sabatelli, 2011; McGoldrick, & Walsh, 2003). As part of caring for an individual, or family member
Taking care of the individuals that are getting older takes many different needs. Most of these needs cannot be given from the help of a family. This causes the need of having to put your love one into a home and causing for the worry of how they will be treated. It is important for the family and also the soon to be client to feel at home in their new environment. This has been an issue with the care being provided for each individual, which has lead to the need of making sure individuals have their own health care plan.
Around the time, I was turning fifty I began to contemplate what the future holds for myself in my senior years. Chapter nine of the text confirmed various concerns. Since I never married and have no children, I will lack the benefit of the typical primary caregivers, spouse, and children. Single men are characteristically slack with their nutrition along with seeking preventive health care. They are more likely to need formal care and end up in nursing homes sooner than their married with children counterparts. Therefore, enthusiastically pursuing excellent health for as long as possible could be my first line of defense. Maintaining years long friendships and pursuing new ones in the community may also provide an advantage. Since the latest technologies
Aged care is becoming such a huge part of our health system and society in general. It is so important that we come to an understanding on not only how it affects the community and society that we live in but the requirements that need to be met in order to care for older adults. Throughout this paper, we will discuss active ageing and the cultural, physical, economic and social well-being of older adults, as well as the affect that community as on the older population and visa-vasa. Accompanying this essay is a flyer that well be used to define active ageing, why it is important to individuals and the community. It is important to understand what active ageing is and that health is measured by more than just physical
The family case study gives an opportunity to analyze family dynamics using different aspects of community and family nursing that are usually acquired through a family visit. The overall purpose of the family paper is to assess the health status of a family, creating nursing diagnosis for the family while developing interventions that are based on the need of the family. This aim is to give a realistic idea on the different aspects that are included during a home visits. Home visits are important aspects of nursing because it not only creates a trusting relationship between the patient and nurse but it also gives the nurse an opportunity to meet the needs of all the family members rather than just one.