Essay On Elderly People

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Findings4

Conclusion7

The Impact Of Retirement On The Older Person

Signature7

Bibliography8

Introduction

The following report will examine life after employment in regards to the older person. Firstly, it will discuss the various organisations that provide helpful and relevant information for those who are going to retire. Before looking at how retirement affects different ethnic groups, how health and therapeutic interventions can be enhanced and it will explain how family members can be included in the care of the older person. The sources used for this report includes books, journals and online websites.

The role of the carer/organisation in promoting positive attitudes to ageing and retirement

According to the latest central statistics office (CSO) figures, Irish men and women are living longer than ever before, life expectancy for women is 82.8 years while men are expected to live to an average age of 78.4 years (CSO 2015). Ralmore et al. (1985) described how older adults who adjusted well to retirement did so because they were satisfied in themselves, they were well educated, had good income, socialised with family and friends, were healthy and active. Stull and Hatch (1984) stated that older adults that hadn't a good income, poor health and other stresses like retirement or death of a spouse tend to have a difficult time adjusting to retirement. A positive ageing strategy should provide a

Aging is something you cannot avoid. For some they age gracefully and for others it is challenging, but for most there fear and worry that they will be left with little to no care. Throughout this paper, I will discuss how mental, physical and developmental disabilities affect the elderly, the dominant assumptions and stereotypes they face as they grow older and as well as how their basic human needs are being met. As you age you become fragile and weaker, on slip or one fall could lead to a series of health problems as well as disabilities. Elderly people can face mental and physical disabilities and some elder people are born development disabilities. Acquiring a mentaldisability such as dementia or depression is common in elderly adults...show more content...

Elderly individuals can experience ageism which is described as "prejudice or discrimination against a particular age–group and especially the elderly" (Ageism, 2017). When it comes to older ages there are many stereotypes. One for example is that they become frail and weak (Grenier, 2005). Evidence shows that if the elderly is often exposed to negative stereotypes about their age group, they will begin to see themselves differently. This change in perception can have negative effects on their health and well–being (Dionigi, 2015). This view of frailty can also impact the way caregiver and family members treat the older individual (Dionigi, 2015). To continue, another negative stereotype based around the elderly is that aging is a bad thing. People between the ages of 50–70 years old can feel great and perhaps start a new beginning such as a marriage or career (Altmann, 2015). It is said that "age is no longer a predictor of performance. "Old" is not a useful word to determine ability, any more than other stereotyped labels" (Altmann, 2015). Even though there are negative stereotypes there are also positive ones, but they appear to be a little far fetched. It is commo for people to assume hat the elderly are wealthy. (Dionigi, 2015). In recent years, there has been significant increases in numbers in the amount of elder people living in poverty and this number is looking to

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Interview With an Elderly Person Essays

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. Methods I...show more content...

2. Which part of aging are you the least satisfied with? This question can be seen as a follow up question of the first. If there are any negative aspects she sees in life, this question will present the details. 3. Where did you see yourself at this age? This question might explain any happiness or unhappiness my aunt experiences. Her past ideas about her life could give clues as to why she is happy or unhappy. 4. Is there something that surprised you about aging? This is a follow up to question 3. 5. If you could go back, what changes would you make? This question gives my aunt the opportunity to reflect on her past and think about what she would change if she could. 6. If you could tell your younger self something, what would it be? I added this question during the interview because of her answer to question 5. 7. You live alone. How do you manage your everyday life? I was curious to hear how she is coping with her age–related limitations. 8. What positive aspects do you see when getting older? This question is supposed to turn the conversation towards a more positive experience. It is often easy to see what problems aging causes but it is equally important to understand that aging can also have positive aspects. In case my aunt would answer any of the prior questions negatively, this is the chance to end the interview on a better note. The answers to

As the life expectancy in the United States rises, the number of elderly in the population has also expanded. These increases have led to the oldest–old (people aged 90 and older) to become the fastest growing age group in the country. The oldest–old face many unique challenges because of their age, one of which is disability. Disability in the elderly has major impact upon society 1 and will continue will be a growing burden in years to come. Although there is evidence from many studies that disability rate is declining in the U.S.2, the rapid expansion of the oldest–old age group will continue to pose health care challenges for future generations. Disability prevalence rates are very high in the oldest–old3 and even reached 97% in...show more content...

Subjects and Methods Study Population

Participants were part of The 90+ Study, a population–based longitudinal study of aging and dementia among people aged 90 years and older. Participants were originally members of The Leisure World Cohort Study, an epidemiological health study established in the early 1980s of a retirement community in California (Laguna Woods). The cohort is mostly female, Caucasian, well educated, and upper–middle class. The 1,150 individuals alive and aged 90 and older as of January 1, 2003 were invited to participate and 950 participants had joined as of December 31, 2007.

Determination of Disability

All participants in The 90+ Study were mailed a questionnaire regarding demographics, past medical history, and medication use. Participants were asked to identify an informant, a person who would be able to provide researchers with information about their functional abilities via mail and telephone. A questionnaire was mailed to the informant asking about the participant's functional abilities. In 57.8 % of the cases, the informant was a son/daughter or son/daughter–in–law. Other informants included siblings, neighbors or paid caregivers (18.5%), spouses (10.2%) or some other (13.5%). This questionnaire included the Katz index of ADLs25, which is one of the most widely used scale for measuring disability with well established reliability26 and

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Caring for older people highlights many special and difficult issues for nurses and carers, such as separation, illness, loneliness, death and how to provide continued care (Morrissey et al, 1997). This essay discusses the strategies of care delivered for an older person with dementia during my recent clinical placement. Discussions will focus on normal ageing process taking into account the relevant biological, sociological and physiological perspectives and the impact this had on this individual's life experience. Ropers' model is used as a frame work in which cae is delivered. Other related issues to be considered include the role of informal carers and the impact this had on him. Confidentiality is maintained in conjunction with NMC...show more content...

The national strategy for carers (1999) defines an informal carer as 'someone providing care without payment for a relative or friend who is disabled, sick, vulnerable or frail'. Scot and his wife had been married for over 50 years when scot developed dementia. Initially his wife managed well, but as time went by and the dementia worsened, she found it increasingly difficult to look after her husband, do her household chores and have any life for herself. She could not leave him alone while she shopped, and it was too difficult to take him along. Eventually the stress, the low morale and the frustration of caring for Scot began to toil on her.

Fitting et al (1986) found that women more often feel obliged to give care than men and have more difficulty in coping with the dependency of their dementing relative. What seemed to have been the last straw for Scots wife was when he started squatting in corners and urinating on the floor. Scot began to progressively have less interest inside and outside home, which is highlighted by intellectual, emotional and memory disturbances of dementia ( Dexter et al, (1999). The deterioration again led him to becoming absent– minded, forgetting appointments, forgetting about his meals and forgetting things he has left in the house. It further progressed to extreme situations where he would recall past events of his youthful days but not about the recent events. He would also get up in

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Have you ever helped someone out and have just felt great about yourself? When you help someone out; you feel so satisfied. There are many ways people can help one another out. First, helping the elders is one of the best things someone could do. Along with that, someone could also gain enjoyment by helping out the homeless. Furthermore, everyone at some point needed help at school, so help one of your peers out. Serving the older people, the less fortunate, and students, are the best ways to do something for another person. When you help the elders; you feel like you did an amazing task. You can help them move around if they need it: push them in their wheelchair, help them stand, and let them hold onto you while they are trying to walk. If you are a young person, just be by them. A lot of senior figures like when there are younger kids by their side. I remember when I volunteered at a nursing home; I was the star of the show. Talking to the elders could really be a fantastic way to help them out. They could feel lonely at times and just need someone to talk to. Also, a lot of times when elders need help, they are not at home, so they are usually they are in a nursing home, and they are not with a lot of people for a long time. In my experience, older people like to talk. Another way to help out is, if your grandparents or a senior wants food; you could let them sit and you go get it for them. Moving objects could be difficult for them, and they would really enjoy the

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Elderly And Culture

Some cultures have a different belief on how to care for the elderly. Immigrants are more likely to live in three–generation families. They have a strong belief about not leaving elderly in nursing home. Older people may feel lonely and ashamed because they are away from the family and community because elderly are traditionally cared for in the family. Elderly immigrants living and aging in Canada face some challenges. The major one is language barriers, not able to access economic support like a pension, disappearance of a traditional social network (Zhou, 2012). So, they will be more dependent on their children or family members.

Dealing with death has changed with each ethnicity or culture. For example, North Americans minimize the process

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Supporting the Elderly Essay

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. There is great concern for the increasing amount of elderly people without children. Childlessness can not be directly linked to loneliness and depression in the elderly, but there is some evidence that it can have an effect on their psychological well being. According to an article...show more content...

Although the main effects of childlessness are minimal in this study for older persons, it can not be ruled out that childlessness has no direct effect on the psychological wellbeing of older people. The aspect of well being can differ, but is still important for rural elderly. An article in Sex Roles, "Compared to their urban counterparts, rural elders experience significant threats to their economic, physical, and psychological well–being" (Patrick, Cortells, and Barnes, 1993.) Factors such as age, gender, education, income, and marital status, can be predictors of well–being. More important though is social support. Socialization differences in men and women can produce varying results of positive or negative well being. Women are more emotionally supportive and have a larger network of support. Men do not rely on friends as much and are more withdrawn. In the article, Gender, emotional support, and well–being among the rural elderly, a study was done to determine the association among emotional support and well–being as well as gender differences. Evidence from the study demonstrates "Women and those perceiving less emotional support from family were more likely to report high levels of negative affect." (Patrick, Cortells, and Barnes, 1993.) The

Kevens Louis

Dr. Harvey Research Paper

Stereotype About Old People, And Aging People And The Society

Usually when people talk about stereotypes, first thing that pop up in someone mind are gender and racial. There are more than gender and racial in stereotypes category. Like age–based stereotype when someone talk about old people they always come up with those: they drive slow, drink decaf coffee ,can 't see , are health freaks, love children and many more. As people live longer, the population of old people keeps rising. With increased population, the tendency of discriminating against the old people chips in. In the modern world, myths are spreading concerning older people. People have been made to believe that being young is good as compared to those who have aged. The fact that many families now live away from their old people and visit them once in a while make them tend to believe these myths. These myths and stereotyping influence the way we treat and associate with the old generations (Blaine, 176). To understand old people, one needs to stay with them to expel this stereotyping. Stereotyping against age as compared to other classification is normally unnoticeable and not challenged (Nelson, 5). More often than not stereotypes associated with old people are negative. Old people in the workplace are normally stereotyped as incompetent and slow (Blaine, 178). The common myth is that as people get old they lose motivation because their tenure of service is

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Technology and Older Adults Essay

Technology and Older Adults

It is commonly believed that older people are uncomfortable with new forms of technology and that they are more resistant to using technology than are younger people. This belief often places older people at a disadvantage, because designers fail to consider older people as a potential user group when designing technology, both software and hardware (Parsons, Terner, & Kersley, 1994). Another misconception is that the elderly are unable to learn new skills. Older people are frequently overlooked when opportunities for technology training or retraining are made available, however, a study of aging and cognitive abilities concluded that decreases in intelligence are modest until people reach their...show more content...

Anxiety and task unfamiliarity are variables that increase cautious behavior. Anxiety about working on a computer task is an example of a "generational" cause of cautiousness cited by Okun (1976).

What other factors may have caused older adults to shy away from technology? Interestingly, education rather than age may be a hindrance to older adults using technology. A survey found that more than 50% of seniors who are college graduates own a computer compared with only 7% of those with less than a high school education (White; et al., 1999)

Finally, older adults, themselves, indicated less confidence about their ability to use computers. In addition, an inverse relationship between computer experience and computer anxiety was found, that is, higher levels of computer experience were associated with less anxiety and more positive attitudes.

Although elders may need more time and assistance in learning computer systems, and make more errors in the process, many are embracing this new technology. Older adults, the same as any adult student, are more receptive to using technologies such as computers if they perceive the technologies as being useful and the tasks that they are able to perform with the technologies as being valuable and beneficial (Knowles, 1986).

A research study conducted by Microsoft (1999) in conjunction with the American Society on Aging shows that seniors generally recognize the benefits

Essay on Elderly Drivers

"An eighty–six year old man killed ten people and injured more than seventy when he drove his Buick into a crowded farmers market in California. In Florida, an eighty–four year old woman drove her car through a window of a Sears and into a cash register and employee" (Murphy). Sadly enough, instances like these are becoming more and more prevalent and require immediate action. It is imperative that a more comprehensive approach be taken when deciding the competence of elderly drivers. Laws must be put into action to mandate and administer testing and re–examining of the skills and eligibility of this group. Equally important, we must consider those who will no longer be able to drive, and ensure their transportation and occupational needs...show more content...

Older adults are thus slower in receiving information through sensory receptors, slower in transmitting, processing, and interpreting information, and are slower in acting upon it" (Shulman, Silverman, & Golden). Additionally, many elderly people experience side effects from prescription medications and are not even aware of it. A report conducted by AAA determined that "prescription medications pose a threat to traffic safety, with only twenty–eight percent of seniors fifty–five or older aware of the potential impact those drugs can have on their driving" (Many Elderly Drivers). For example, some medicines commonly taken for anxiety or insomnia can cause confusion, drowsiness, decreased motor skills, and impaired memory" (Reutter). The Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported, "elderly citizens made up nine percent of the residential population, but accounted for fourteen percent of all traffic fatalities, and caused seventeen percent of all pedestrian fatalities" (qtd. Murphy). These numbers are particularly frightening now because the U.S. Census Bureau projects that there will be "9.6 million people aged eighty–five and older by 2030: up seventy–three percent from today" (Older Americans). "Road safety analysts predict that by 2030, when all baby boomers are at least sixty–five, they will be responsible for twenty–five percent of all crashes" (Davis & DeBarros). Lawmakers have acknowledged this issue. However, it is Get more content

My Attitudes Towards The Elderly

Society as whole has many false beliefs and preconceived notions about the aging population. I myself have harboured dozens of them throughout my lifetime. However, there are a select few that have stood the test of time as they continue to guide my attitudes towards the elderly. Though one of the oldest stereotypes in the book, I unfortunately see the elderly as being a generally unhappy (grumpy) group. I rationalize to myself that they are this way due to deteriorating health, and also because they are generally unpleased with where life has taken them. I also feel that as a result, many elderly tend to disengage themselves from society, preferring to live quiet lives in solitude. And due to their self–imposed exiles from the judging eyes of the world, they take little pride in their aesthetic appearance. So in an endeavor to examine the impact of my perceived beliefs about others, I interviewed my mother to verify whether or not my currently held beliefs carried any weight.

The Interview

Me: What is your current age?

Mom: 59

Me: Does the thought of aging worry you?

Mom: Aging worries me. I know that as we age, no matter how much we take good care of ourselves, we are going to get sick. I 'm scared of getting sick and being a burden to my kids. And also, I 'm not ready to die. I want to see that all my kids and my only grandchild to have a stable life.

Me:How would you say aging has affected you both physically and mentally?

Mom:I noticed that I get tired

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The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Essay

The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population

Lauren M. Lorio

NUR/440

April 9, 2012

Maria Mendez

The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population

Vulnerability is defined as susceptibility or increased risk for health problems (DeChesnay, 2008). A group of individuals are considered at higher risk for illness when their physical, emotional, psychological, or social health, is compromised (Aday, 2001). There are many leading causes for why a population is considered at higher risk; socioeconomic, age, gender, demographics, personal, and cultural backgrounds are some of the key factors (Aday, 2001; Sebation, 1996). Individuals can become vulnerable at any time because of change in life circumstances, placing them at higher risk. One group...show more content...

Statistically, the majority of older adults require continual health care for at least one chronic condition, half of this group for multiple chronic conditions, and more than half are managing multiple prescription medications. In older adult groups without chronic illness, there is still a high demand for health care access for "acute conditions as well as for extensive preventative care services recommended by evidence–based guidelines, such as medical screenings and vaccinations" (Thorpe et al., 2011, p. 2). Education from research is necessary to address the efficacy of health care delivery within the communities nationwide, and to mitigate the disparities within a flawed system. "As this vulnerable population is expected to double by the year 2030, efforts to identify and eliminate disparities in access for older adults are among the most pressing health care issues for the 21st century" (Thorpe et al., 2011, p. 2). Ultimately, through exploration of predictive risk factors in the older adult population, along with implementation of various approaches for intervention and policy, health care accessibility for this vulnerable population can be greatly improved.

Experience working in the field of health care lends insight to the growing needs of the older adult population, and the barriers which impede our capacity to meet them. As the Baby Boomer age is approaching older adulthood, the rise for financial,

Elderly, Older, And Older People

For families in later life there are different occasions in which the elderly is depending on their immediate environment such as; family, churches, or government support for help. There are interchangeable names that some will use to describe someone who is old in age. The terms that some researchers may use are as listed; elderly, aged, and older people. There many things that occur as an individual gets older. Once the individuals reach that "elderly stage" the amount of social contacts will increase. Before continuing on what changes when one is elderly, it is essential to determine what is elderly. This idea of elderly or being old is social constructed. According to Benokraitis author of Marriages and Families: Changes, Choices, and Constraints stated, "Our perception and definition of old also depends on our age. Regardless of how we fell, society usually defines old in chronological age" (2015). There some complications to elderly people the limit them from performing every day task. As an individual ages their senses began to to weaken as well as mobility. From a psychological standpoint mental health and ageism affect older people in many ways which will be explain further into this paper. In regards to mental stability a parent moving in with there adult children will lessen the stress and provide a sense of comfort. Family caregiving in later life can differ and there are different styles people apply to nurturing their parents. Being able to have a healthy

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The Neglect of the Elderly

With the growing number of senior citizens in our expanding society, abuse and neglect of the elderly is a widespread issue in our society. Neglect can come in many ugly forms and can be quite horrifying when actually investigated. When we as a society fail to meet the needs of our senior community we are only creating a perhaps dreadful prelude to our own inevitable destiny. Elder neglect is the failure to fulfill obligations to a senior citizen. According to one report, it accounts for 49% of elder abuse cases (Protecting the Older Adult, Nursing, July 2000). Neglect comes in many forms. A caregiver is required to supply sufficient amounts of nourishment, a comfortable shelter, safety,...show more content... (Litigating the Pressure Sore Case, Lesley Clement, Forum Vol. 30 (6), August 2000). A resident that is bedridden or confined to a wheelchair must be repositioned at least every two hours in order to relieve pressure on specific areas. Bedsores that are neglected or untreated can cause tissue to deteriorate becoming painfully infected. Prevention requires adequate staffing putting in time and actual effort. The fact whether the neglect was intentional or not is not the important issue, it is whether the safety of the resident has been compromised as in allowing a resident with Alzheimers to roam unsupervised outside the facility. Staff may be more susceptible to elder abuse if they are stressed by too many responsibilities, are deficient in training, work under deprived conditions or just not suited to care giving in nursing homes. Many elders who are cared for in the homes of their family members, who are responsible for their direct care, are also being abused through neglect. This type of neglect is harder to detect. Friends and members of the family might just chalk up signs of abuse to the fact that the elder might be showing signs of dementia or just basic old age syndrome. Elders may not be able to stand up for themselves in abusive conditions especially if they are frail and not thinking, seeing or hearing as well as they used to. They depend on their caregivers to assist them. Family

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Attitudes Towards Older People Essay

Attitudes towards Older People

Attitudes and treatment towards elderly people can be said to vary drastically across cultures. From Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the America's, Africa and Australia, the attitudes expressed by the community towards older people are very different when compared to one another.

An `attitude' can be defined as `a mental view or disposition' (Wilkes & Krebs, 1987), or if the content is used in has a psychological basis ` the learned, relative stable tendency to respond to people, concepts, and events in an evaluative way'

(Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2002).

When discussing `older people' there is no way of determining an exact definition that all people will agree on, as it is a socially...show more content...

Australian society's attitudes towards the elderly are interesting as they display a slightly negative response. In a recent survey conducted by `The Office of Seniors Interest', it was discovered that one third of the population believed that people over seventy years of age had lost some of their mental capacity, and one fifth believed that people over seventy years had `nothing or little to offer the community' (The Office of Seniors Interest, 2001). Considering this survey, Australian society does not possess a positive attitude towards the elderly but instead believe that `they just get in the way' (The Office of Seniors Interest, 2001). Although, this is the case, support and information groups are being founded regularly in an attempt to increase public awareness of the lives and lifestyle of the elderly to try to change the trend in attitudes across the nation.

While Afro–American's display a fairly `positive attitude towards the aging and display a great deal of respect towards the aged' (Ajrouch, Antonucci & Janevic,

2003), Anglo–Saxon Americans are said to hold similar attitudes as Australians.

Considering this, elder abuse and neglect is most prominent in America as `every year an estimated 2.1 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological or other forms of abuse and neglect' (American

The Problem Of Elderly People

On 1987, Isaac Shepher founded Life Alert, a service where employment aid elderly people contact emergency services ( health, robberies, injuries, etc.). The rise of the company paved the way for others to join the field in hope to keep elderly people in their homes rather than retirement homes. I believe that Shepher created this company because he knew the risks of someone who is over 65 staying by themselves in a home was very high and wanted to challenge that. He wanted to tackle the fact that one in three adults who are over 65 risk falling, which can lead to concerning injuries. He wanted to lessen the 2.3 million people who were brought to the hospital just because of a fall. To improve the problem of elderly people living in an unsafe and uncomfortable environment, a variety of measure to make their lives better. As a person becomes more delicate, staying home alone becomes difficult, sometimes risky. Health problems could rise chances of accidences in the home where an elderly person is now having a harder time getting around. The threat of falling increases. The reason why adults 65 and older is falling, which results in broken hip bones. Every year, one out of three people adults older fall: 2.3 million are brought to emergency centers just because of said fall and around 662,000were sent to the hospital. The causes are said to be medication, health state, environment and vision hazard, environmental hazard is an important one because it usually deals with the

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Social Isolation And Loneliness Among Elderly

Social Isolation and Loneliness among elderly Howetta Queenborrows Introduction to Gerontology Professor: Alda Tee October 27th, 2014 As we get older, our social connections often gets smaller, only having things or people that are extremely important to us. In this paper we will be examining the social–psychological problems; social isolation and loneliness that are faced by elderly by facilitating the response to five main discussion topics. The following discussion will facilitate the understanding of social isolation and loneliness, the risk factors, explore the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness in long term care facilities and the role of occupational therapist assistants and physiotherapist assistants have this emerging issue of social isolation. What is social isolation and loneliness? Social Isolation can be defined as a continual lack of contact with other people. Social isolation and chronic loneliness is one of the indisputable signals of mental turmoil, including major depression. It is the withdrawal of self from social roles directly or indirectly among individuals. Loneliness is the feeling of emptiness and desolation. This issue can immensely negative consequences on older persons such as a wide variation of premature health issues. What are the risk factors associated with social isolation and Loneliness? There are many reasons to why elderly persons can fall at risk of social isolation and loneliness. These factors can range anywhere from

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Care of the Older Person Essay

How can nurses ensure that older people are treated with respect and dignity whist being cared for in hospital or in the community?

The aim of the following essay is to explore how nurses can ensure that older people are treated with respect and dignity whist being cared for in hospital or the community. The essay will seek to gain an understanding of the biopsychosocial influences associated with dignity which affect the older person.

Age concern describe dignity to mean that everyone is treated and receives the care that meets their needs which enables them to live their life how they want (age concern 2008). it is important that health care

professionals are aware of the ethical and non–ethical values...show more content...

Respecting the individual; Intermediate care; Providing evidence–based specialist care and Promoting an active, healthy life.

The NSF makes it clear that in the past older people and their carers were not always treated with respect or with dignity. It than goes on to suggest that delivering good care for older people in hospital requires that staff have the appropriate skills and experience. This care should be

underpinned by fundamental principles that promote dignity (Webster 2004).

Within the UK the nursing code of professional conduct states that registered nurses must respect they patients and promote and protect the interests and dignity of patients at all times this emphasises the importance of respecting the patient as an individual, (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) 2008).

The care of the older patient involves special expertise for many reasons such as physiological ageing and the effects of medication may alter the disease presentation; pre

existing conditions may make self–care more difficult and the incidence of depression and dementia more common; and arranging social support for successful discharge requires complex skills. While a patient may have been admitted with a physical problem, emotional issues are often also present, Get more content

Older people and Social Care My presentation topic is social policy and older people and the key act I'm going to mainly focus on is the NHS & Community Care Act 1990. Going with the assumption that an older person is one whose age is 65 or over– the one distinguishing feature that they possess is that they appear not to work for a living. Older people have always been a major focus for social policy and because the UK is an ageing society, their importance to the subject is increasing further. Life expectancy has been growing steadily for over half a century and the UK has now reached a point where there are more people over State Pension age than children. In 1950, a man aged 65 could expect on average to live to the age of 76....show more content...

Three key objectives of Community Care policy: The overriding objective was to cap public expenditure on independent sector residential and nursing home care. This was achieved in that local authorities became responsible for operating a needs–based yet cash–limited system. There was a clear agenda about developing a mixed economy of care, i.e. a variety of providers. The mixed economy provision in residential and nursing home care has been maintained despite the social security budget being capped. And there are now many independent organisations providing domiciliary care services. To redefine the boundaries between health and social care. Much of the continuing care of elderly and disabled people was provided by the NHS. Now much of that has been re–defined as social care and is the responsibility of local authorities. An important point to note though is: that NHS services are free, whereas social services have to be paid for. So how the care you require is defined, that is health or social care, determines whether or not it will be free. The main aim of community care policy has always been to maintain individuals in their own homes wherever possible, rather than provide care in a long –stay institution or residential establishment. It was almost taken for granted that this policy was the best option from a humanitarian and moral perspective. It was also thought to be cheaper. A close and cogent

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