In: Nursing
Part 1 (700 words)
You are to write a reflection based on the following
comment:
Erber (2013,
p.67) suggests that older adults (over 65 years of age) experience
age related
changes that affect sensory, perceptual and cognitive functioning
and require higher
rates of health services due to a higher incidence of health
challenges. Ageing and the
provision of care to the older adult is influenced by many
theories, such as the biological,
social, spiritual, functional and chronological influences during a
person lifetime.
You are to include the following in your reflection:
1. Your opinions of ageing and the influences that have impacted on
this (you can refer to the
above terms and the theories of ageing discussed in the subject
modules one and two).
2. A description of how these opinions may impact on the provision
of the care you provide to
the older adult and identify any opinions that you may need to
adjust and why.
1. Aging is nature's law and once born every one needs to go through. Aging could not be prevented but this phase of life could be led qualitatively with the advancement of the medicine. Aging could be said as an increase in the chronological age. If said in the biological concept, aging is the result of cellular and molecular damage. There is a gradual decrease in the physical, mental, and cognitive capacity leading to different types of diseases and ending up with death. Aging and elderly could be considered as a grace or a burden. There are people look after the elderly believing that they must be assisted at the evenings of their life.
Aging is accompanied by the occurrence of diseases such as arthritis, hearing loss, diabetes, respiratory relates diseases, back pain, neck pain, depression, dementia, and so on and so forth. These could affect on the activities of daily living. Considering various theories associated with aging could open the horizons of the concept of aging and its implications. Discussing the social theories, activity theory stresses the importance of the involvement of the elderly in the community activities that would keep them engaged. Meanwhile, disengagement theory discusses the elderly how they are withdrawn from the community activities which would result in loneliness, unhappiness, and stress.
2. The world will have more aged people to see and care for. There are various aspects of health care that could be provided to the elderly.
First and foremost physical activity should be encouraged. Regular physical exercises and participation in the activities keep them active and energetic.
Functional ability and dependence to be assessed. Family or caretaker must be encouraged to assist in the activities of daily living.
Assisting the elderly is much needed than avoiding them or blaming them.
Thus, caring for the elderly in a universe where there is a rapid growth in the number of elderly it is necessary to learn their experience by the culture of respect and caring.