D2 Evaluate the influence of two major theories of ageing on Health and Social Care provision.
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.
The activity theory and the disengagement theory are influenced with a health
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Physical therapy is for individuals who may need some extra help and assistance due to practical or physical pain or if they are recovering from an injury or an illness and individuals experiencing chronic pain, physical therapy can help to get rid of pain and restore physical function such as strength, coordination, flexibility and balance. Nursing assistance is when elderly people who cannot care for themselves or may not have other relatives around them to help them out, get a nursing assistant who will help them with their daily needs. These types of services helps elderly people with their daily needs so that they can stay fit, active and healthy, so it will work for an individual who follows the activity
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.
Disengagement theory is useful and relevant in understanding the social world of older people. However, the theory is contradicted by empirical evidence that revealed high levels of activity and engagement amongst many older people. (Johnson & Barer, 1992) suggest that the idea that older people consider withdrawing from social roles and interactions from the society a positive step is preposterous. They carried a study to determine social adaptation among 150 individuals, 85 years and older. The sample was selected from municipal voting rolls on the US using a snowball technique. Data were collected through in-depth open ended structured interviews in the respondents’ homes. Health and functioning were evaluated by the OARS measures of perceived
Prominent musician, Celine Dion, once said, “There’s no such thing is aging, but maturing and knowledge. It’s beautiful, I call that beauty.” To many, growing old is just a natural, beautiful part of life. It is inevitable. It is inescapable. The functionalist perspective of sociology states that the elderly perform a function in order to keep society running with ease. Functionalists focus on the disengagement theory and how people tend to disengage from society as they approach death. Symbolic interactionists focus on how environmental factors and relationships with others affect the aging experience, focusing on the activity theory and the continuity theory (Carl, 2011, p. 220). Conflict theorists focus on the discrepancies that arise between different age groups. They also focus on the economical side of aging and the issues that may arise due to an active elderly population (Carl, 2011, p. 221).
Hooyman, N., & Kiyak, H. A. (2011). Social gerontology: A multidisciplinary perspective (9th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. (Original work published 2005)
Attitudes are the foundation of quality of care for older adults. Among health care professionals, discrimination and stereotypical behaviors are very prevalent, even though more often than not these individuals do not realize their actions are ageist. “Ageism hinders people from seeing the potential of aging, anticipation their own aging, and being responsive to the needs of older people” (McGuire, Klein & Shu-Li, 2008, p. 12). Attitudes are directly correlated with how individuals age and whether individuals stay health and live longer (McGuire, Klein & Shu-Li, 2008, p. 12). The care that older adults receive from healthcare professionals is directly influenced by that provider’s attitude about growing older. All too often, health care providers rely on a patient’s chronological age rather than their functional age when determining their needs and what interventions are prescribed. Another issue lies in providers viewing the complaints of older patients as a part of “normal aging”, therefore potentially missing life-threatening problems that may have been easily resolved. “Age is only appropriate in health treatment as a secondary factor in making medical decisions, and it should not be used as a stand-alone factor” (Nolan, 2011, p. 334).
As the population of the United States ages and lifespan increases, the U.S. is being faced with challenges that could either hurt the country or benefit it if plans are executed correctly. By the year 2050, more than thirty-two million Americans will be over the age eighty and the share of the 80-plus generation will have doubled to 7.4 percent. Health care and aging population has become a great deal considering the impact it is having on the U.S. The United States is heading into another century with an outstanding percentage of people within the aging population. Today’s challenges involving health care and the aging populations are the employees of health professions being a major percentage of the aging population, the drive into debt, and prevention and postponement of disease and disability.
As adults the transition into old age can be difficult for some people. Frustration, lack of responsibility and dependence can make the process of aging undesirable. Old age should be viewed as another phase of life, but not the end of life. In order to help elderly cope with aging it is important for them to have social interaction. Support from family, friends and the local community can make a difference in the psychological well being of older adults.
Theories concerned with ageing are constructed in an attempt to objectively satisfy the inquiries that arise after studying ageing and to provide evidence based clarifications. In the context of this essay, they allow troubleshooting regarding issues around the type of support would be expected to be needed by Betty and her son. Bengtson et al, (1999) accepts the potential pragmatism of the theories nevertheless he argues that they can be generalised and unimaginative. The controversy regarding theorising ageing becomes especially relevant when they are applied in isolation failing to address that “the science and positivism are severely limiting… for understanding aspects of ageing.” Bengtson et al (1999)
According to DeBrew, author of “Can being ageist harm your older adult patients?” stereotypes and discrimination are evident in various aspects of patient care. “Ageism [is] defined as stereotyping or discrimination aimed at older adults and a lack of knowledge about normal changes of aging and presentation of illness in older adults (. . .)” (DeBrew, 2015). DeBrew (2015) states, “research findings suggest that ageism is common in healthcare” (DeBrew, 2015). Ageism is not only an issue in the healthcare setting, but also among older adults as well as their families. When ageism is present in the healthcare setting it poses
One of the aspects of gerontology that makes for such interesting studies is the various social theories of aging that pertain to the issues and topics of the aged. Since the earlier days of the discipline at the dawn of the twentieth century up until today, the biomedical study, concentrating on the diseases and the decline of the aged has been a primary focus of gerontology. However, since the 1950’s over a dozen social theories, explaining the changes in social relationships and interactions as people age has been developed. The ideas behind these theories have evolved over time grouping them into categories of first, second and third generation or modern and postmodern (Hooyman & Kiyak, 2011, p. 313). Two theories that emerged in the
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.
Could you picture yourself being happy living in a nursing home? Or could you see your parents living in a nursing home, knowing or not knowing that they are the complete opposite of content. What if I told you most elders residing in nursing homes are miserable and desperate for a different way of living. There has been an increase of elderly people having to trade a normal life for a life of boredom, depression, neglect, and abuse. Nursing homes should be the best experience for older people due to the fact, that they will never get to live a life again and should make their last years as enjoyable as possible. They deserve to die happy, everybody does.
Increased life expectancies have many reconsidering whether the fountain of youth is merely a legend. For many families, longer life spans have allowed them to spend more time with loved ones, time that may not paint the picture imagined.
Successful aging can be defined differently for everyone. For some, it means being socially active, or having leisure time to enjoy themselves, or maybe just being with friends and family. Generally, it means being active in one’s lifestyle, being able to function (mentally and physically), and having lower chances of sickness or disease. A few examples of people who have aged successfully are Grandma Moses, Monet, Renoir, Pablo Casals, and Maurice Ravel. The concept of successful aging is important because it shows that older adults are capable of being happy with their lives and still living and doing things that they
Though both theories are good and state a lot of great points, I believe older adults are more active in society than we give them credit for. It varies from person to person and depends on how healthy they are. My godmother is 80 years old and is still active in society as much as she can; she does have bad knees and is taking medications that have produced side effects. But she does the best she can considering her age and not having any family around. I disagree with the disengagement theory because I don’t believe older adults disengage from society or that society disengages from older adults. I believe that older people who choose to disengage from society is because of health issues or a loss of a significant other.