Abstract This paper explains that group therapy for the elderly is perceived by some people to be valuable, but other patients' perceptions are that the process didn't help much. The author points out that the unique challenges for group therapy are the problems of (1) diminishing health faced by the elderly population, (2) the profound lack of respect towards the elderly often prevalent in this society, (3) the lack of dignity and independence and (4) the too-common occurrence neglect. The paper relates that accessibility is the key problem, but the inclusion of group therapy in managed care organizations, Medicaid and Medicare programs can increase accessibility for the poor and elderly.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Issue Statement
Literature Review
Evaluation and Reaction
From the Paper "I think that group therapy for the elderly should also be based on principles of family therapy whenever possible. The family must be placed in the context of the community and society within which it functions, both of which define parameters for function and dysfunction, success and failure, that can be inversely applied to the microcosmic family system. Therefore, different families have different societal contexts and different structural paradigms which affect them in terms of function and dysfunction. The structural family group therapy method remains malleable in the face of these cultural and societal distinctions, so that different families are seen in terms of different functional paradigms."
Abstract This paper discusses long-term care and its affect on the health care industry today and in the future. It explains that long-term care is becoming much more prevalent in American society because people are living longer. It points out that as the Baby Boom generation ages, there will be even more elderly and infirm that will need this special type of health care.
From the Paper "Long-term care is changing the way America looks at health care. Because new ways of caring for the elderly are clearly necessary, there is more interest in this topic, and more research is being done on how to correct the problems associated with long-term care. Experts have found some alternatives to long-term care, which include in-home services, assisted living, and/or some form of assistance from family members or friends. Studies indicate that these in-home interventions, if started early enough, can reduce the need for long-term care. One study notes, "personal care services can prevent inappropriate institutionalization and that these services need to be a component of policies for future elder care because the majority of personal care services now provided for individuals are performed by female family members" (Palley & Hollen, 2000, p. 181). Other alternatives include group homes and adult day care, which are both becoming more popular, too."
This paper discusses dementia, a chronic and usually progressive deterioration of mental abilities and intellectual capacity due to changes in the brain such as widespread loss of nerve cells and the shrinkage of brain tissue.
Abstract This paper explains that, since dementia is most commonly seen in the elderly, it is often erroneously considered to be part of the normal aging process; however, it is important to remember that dementia is a condition that is a result of a disease or trauma and does not occur in a healthy person simply because of old age. The author points out that the two most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease and multi infarct dementia; both types are irreversible and cannot be cured, although there progress can be slowed with proper treatment. The paper relates that people with multi infarct dementia can be helped by controlling their blood pressure, blood cholesterol and diabetes to prevent further strokes; by using medications for reducing agitation, anxiety, depression, or sleeping problems; by avoiding alcohol and smoking and by continuing physical and mental activities.
Table of Contents
Is Dementia an Inevitable Part of the Aging Process?
Differentiating Dementia and Normal Aging Process
Types of Dementia
Diagnosing Dementia and the Role of the Cognitive Psychologist in Diagnosis
Helping Patients to Cope with Dementia
Conclusion
From the Paper "Dementia affects our memory, decision-making, judgment, spatial orientation, thinking, reasoning, and verbal communication. Its symptoms may include asking the same questions repeatedly; becoming lost in familiar places; being unable to follow directions; getting disoriented about time, people, and places; and neglecting personal safety, hygiene, and nutrition. Similar symptoms are sometimes displayed by older people due to emotional problems, which can be mistaken for dementia. These emotional problems may be triggered in the older people due to the trauma of major changes in their lives such as at the time of retirement or having to cope with the death of a spouse, relative, or friend. Such emotional upheavals leave an old person feeling sad, lonely, worried, or bored. Adapting to these life-changing events can confusion and forgetfulness in some people-the classic symptoms of dementia. Fortunately, emotional problems can be eased by supportive friends and family, or by treatment from professional doctors, psychologists or counsellors and are not a permanent feature. Furthermore, certain physical conditions such as high fever, dehydration, vitamin deficiency and poor nutrition, bad reactions to medicines, problems with the thyroid gland, or a minor head injury may also result in dementia-like symptoms but the resulting condition is not dementia and needs to be treated differently."
Abstract This paper discusses cognitive decline in older people. The paper contends that understanding the correlation between aging and cognitive decline requires in-depth research taking into account the numerous variables and theoretical perspectives. The paper agrees that while there is certainly a parallel between the onset of late adulthood and cognitive changes, these changes need not always be severely negative. The paper examines various factors that affect cognitive change.
Outline
Introduction
Overview
Methodical Issues
Retardation of Cognitive Decline
Conclusion
From the Paper "Cognitive decline in older people is most likely to be measured and seen in terms of declarative or episodic memory. (Wilson et al., 1997. pp 7-14).This refers to the ability to learn and retain new information. Other factors that are measured in this age group, and which show evidence of decline, are mental processing skills and perceptual speed. This refers to simple perceptual comparisons which are unusually measured with accompanying time-related tasks. (ibid) People, who are diagnosed as having ARCD or Age Related Cognitive Decline normally are perceived as suffering from deterioration of memory and learning abilities as well as limited language attention span and concentration problems."
Abstract 'Tuesdays With Morrie', by Mitch Albom, is about a dying teacher and his last lesson to his favorite student. It is written from the student's point of view and is based on a true story. This paper reviews the book and shows that although it is short and simple to read, in the final analysis, its basic theme -one has to learn how to die in order to learn how to live - rings hollow.
From the Paper "'Tuesdays With Morrie' was an interesting read, though not very profound. It was pleasant enough and well worth the few hours I put into reading it. Morrie made three points on his Tuesdays with Mitch that stood out most to me: learning to die is how one learns to live, the importance and path to detachment from one's emotions, and the necessity to build one's own subculture."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss and analyze the topic of elderly drivers in America. Specifically, the paper discusses a proposal for change supported by research. The proposal is in support of the implementation of required standardized testing of people reaching the age of 65 that would enable them to retain their driver's license while assuring their continued safety on the America's roads and highways. The proposal also recommends a course of action for regulation of elderly drivers and provides a proposed solution to the problem, while urging Americans to get involved now, before more elderly drivers take to the nation's highways and byways.
From the Paper "Elderly drivers pose a threat to other drivers in several ways. Many studies indicate that "Older drivers are involved in a disproportionate number of crashes associated with intersections and other complex traffic situations, failure to yield, inattention, road signs, left turns, and oncoming traffic and are more often found to be at fault in crashes" (Wood). Other studies have indicated older drivers have slower reaction times, impaired vision, and a higher instance of eye diseases that can create problems with their perception and vision. Scientist Wood continues, "Visual impairment becomes significantly more prevalent with increasing age. The normal process of aging results in yellowing and cloudiness of the crystalline lens, a decrease in pupil size, and alterations in the integrity of the macular pigment and neural pathways" (Wood)."
Abstract This report identifies and recognizes the population of individuals dealing with the condition of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The paper describes the impact that a diagnosis of AD can have on the person diagnosed and the caretakers of that person, the type of support and service people with AD and their families receive and the inadequacies of that service and what can be done to improve the service and support.
From the Paper "Alzheimer's Disease not only affects millions of individuals in America, but it is also one of the leading causes of death in the old population. And providing long-term care for Alzheimer's can be problematic in terms of both personal and economic cost, as the disease does not show improvement as it progresses and is even not covered by many supplemental insurance plans because it is cost-prohibitive. Medicare and other insurance options must be tailored to treat Alzheimer's with attention not just to the older client population who are suffering from the disease, but to support staff and family member who must also cope with it. A holistic pattern should be expanded in this respect to give care to the client population suffering from Alzheimer's as well as their spouses, who may be emotionally and mentally effected, family, who may be daunted by the prohibitive nature of the disease, and healthcare professionals, who may see the disease as unbeatable and respond inappropriately in the level of care being given to the client themselves."
Abstract This paper looks at the problems faced by the elderly population in American society. It explains that the elderly are mostly living alone and have to deal with the problems of care when ill. The most pressing problem for most elderly is the issue of health-care and medical coverage which most of them do not have. The paper also examines the issue of quality care and finding the right caregiver when the time arises.
From the Paper "Quality is also an important factor that is too often overlooked by healthcare professionals. Quality refers to the quality of care and communication established in the healthcare environment between the healthcare professional and the client. It refers to the technological sophistication and technical expertise of the care, as well as the quality of the relationship that is more personal between the patient and the professional, which is based on concepts like trust and empathy. Patients are not going to perceive quality care,
even if the healthcare environment has the most up-to-date methods and technological means of assistance, unless they are able to perceive that someone really cares about them in the process. That is, there is more to quality care than the technical aspects of care, and many people in the healthcare environment currently do not realize this, and think that technical proficiency alone is enough. They need to expand the definition of quality care."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of self-care for a movie family, as seen in "Grumpier Old Men" and applied to Dorothea Orem's self-care framework concept. The writer explores the movie characters and compares them against theory to explain what the characters do for their self initiated activities and care.
From the Paper "The movie Grumpier Old Men is a perfect silver screen production for the purpose of analyzing the theory as it relates to family because the family includes young adults, middle aged adults and senior citizens. One of the theory's most fundamental concepts relates to self care and self initialized activities. The two main characters, Max and John are senior citizens who have been fighting with each other for more than three decades. In the movie, John is married and people in the family believe that Max is missing out by not being married too."
Abstract Dementia is a deficiency of mental ability acute enough to hinder with normal actions of daily living, which persists for more than six months, which is not present from birth and which is not connected with loss or modification of consciousness. This paper examines the causes, influences and treatment of dementia and looks at how taking care of people with dementia is a physically, mentally and emotionally strenuous task.
Outline
Introduction
Causes for Dementia
Dementia Related Behaviors
Dementia Influenced by Environment
Environment Modifications to Treat Dementia
Conclusion
From the Paper "The term Dementia is used for a range of states that include loss of mental ability and so is the reason for problems with memory, language, behavior and emotions. In the elderly people, Dementia is common. To some extent this affects people above the age of 65. Dementia is caused by problems in the manner in which the brain functions. The cause for Dementia is the non-functioning or dying of neurons. This often alters the levels of different neurotransmitters, which affect the function of the brain. Dementia is not a standard part of ageing. It is different from the slight poor memory that occurs in the elderly."
Abstract This paper presents a research proposal for showing how an effective hospital-based discharge planning program can reduce the rates of hospital readmission in elderly patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The paper shows the need for more effective discharge planning programs that will optimally reduce the rate of hospital readmission for elderly patients (clients aged 65 and older) with CHF. The proposal follows a format in which the narrative is put forth, including the problem statement regarding CHF and readmission, research questions that are relevant to these issues, and the background and significance of the issues. The report also includes a limited literature review on the topic, culled from extensive literature available on both effective discharge planning and CHF incidences. The rationale of the study is also addressed, before the report proposal concludes by stating the research methodology that will be chosen for the conducting of actual research, along the lines of having the ultimate goal of improving community health outcomes.
Table of Content
Problem Statement
Research Questions
Background
Literature Review
Rationale
Proposed Methods
From the Paper "At the same time, from this cost-effectiveness standpoint, hospitals must also realize that cutting corners in regards to effective discharge planning, particularly for CHF patients, can mean short-term gains bringing vastly increased future costs. "Hospital admissions among patients with CHF are a major contributor to health care costs...The program's aims were to make up deficits in health care delivery, improve quality of life, and reduce costs for the health insurance companies (e.g., by reducing the hospitalization rate [Stewart, Marley, and Horowitz, 1999; Whellan et al., 2001; Cline et al., 1998])" (Kottmair et al., 2005). Therefore, from either perspective externally, the importance of effective discharge planning for elderly patients with CHF is underscored in the current healthcare environment, to ensure the continued provision of quality care across the lifespan."
Abstract This paper looks at the management of nursing homes and the federal and state regulations under which they are operated. It looks at the financial problems they are facing, the nursing regulations, and the politics of nursing home management.
From the Paper "Nursing homes which receive federal funding must comply with a set of federal regulations which dictate a standard of minimum care to be given ..."
Abstract This paper examines adult development, life span development theory and homelessness. The paper presents research for male and female homeless individuals. The paper focuses on the effects of homelessness in various developmental stages: middle age (40-60), older mature adults (60-80), and late adulthood (80 and over).
Abstract This paper discusses the hypothesis of a psychology research study examining the effects of aging on loss of associative memory. The paper agrees with the study that memory functions are vulnerable to the effects of aging.
Abstract This paper defines forms of abuse and mistreatment by relatives, healthcare workers and nursing home caregivers. The author explores the ethical issues involved. The paper includes causes and suggests interventions.
From the Paper "In the United States, the later years of a person's life have been called the golden years. Instead, a growing number of the elderly are abused each year. Gray-Vickrey reports that neglect occurs in a substantiated percent of elder abuse cases including emotional abuse."
