The paper reviews a book dealing with sexual relations in later life and commends the author for dispelling common myths surrounding the subject matter.
Abstract The paper notes the way the author encourages his readers to improve their sex lives while pointing out the various obstacles they may still encounter. It also mentions the necessary health issues that need to be explored along the way as well as stressing the importance of sex to a good relationship. The paper argues that despite the author's claims, certain myths contain more than a grain of truth.
From the Paper "Block therefore offers many suggestions for how people over fifty can improve their sex lives. He first tells them how to overcome these myths, but he then continues by showing how they can change their way of thinking so they are not bound by limitations in attitudes toward age. He writes about a number of sexual techniques that make this book as much a sex manual as it is a discussion of sexual attitudes. These chapters are meant to change altitudes, but they are also intended to offer assistance and advice to people the author clearly believes need assistance. He is convinced that older people not only have the wrong attitude toward sex but that they may have a lot of wrong information that they have been applying so that their sex lives have not been that good up to this time. It would thus not be surprising if their sex lives were not very exciting when they get older."
Abstract While it is true that a greater proportion of individuals in nursing homes have depression than the general population, the majority of these individuals are over 80 and experience chronic illness and pain. In addition, many of them have lost their loved ones and are alone most of the day. This paper discusses the factors which lead to the popular belief that depression and lack of well-being affect anybody over the age of 65. Some of the factors discussed include media attention on the negative aspects of aging, the focus on youth and beauty and general stereotyping. The paper also looks at several studies done on the myth about a clear-cut link between growing old and losing one's sense of well-being. The paper concludes that depression and despondency are not preset characteristics of all aging individuals. Rather, they are symptoms of other problems such as boredom, economic or social disadvantage or chronic illness.
From the Paper "Lucille B. Bearon, Ph.D. recommends that a two-tiered approach to defining successful aging (one for healthy older adults and one for the frail) more accurately fits the realities of aging. As the older population increases in diversity, the concept of successful aging may become even more difficult to define without expanding the number of models. One solution may be to return to an earlier theme that successful aging is in the eye of the beholder. In this case, successful aging is measured by indicators of subjective well-being such as life satisfaction, happiness, morale, perceived quality of life or other related measures of negativity such as depression, anxiety, etc."
This paper reviews the article "Voluntary Death: A Comparison of Terminal Dehydration and Physician-Assisted Suicide" by Franklin G. Miller and Diane E. Meier.
Abstract This paper presents the pro's and con's of terminal dehydration, the total withdrawal of food, water and treatment methods from the patient that hastens his death. The author points out that terminal dehydration may prove to be a stressful and excruciating experience for the patient as well as the caregivers because death by terminal dehydration can take as much as 3 to 4 weeks and is crueler than physician-assisted suicide. The author believes that whatever the reasoning we still cannot justify terminal dehydration or any other form of foregoing life as an acceptable clinical practice and stresses the importance of palliative care based on love and a sense of collective responsibility of taking care of the incapacitated elders.
From the Paper "Since it is within the legitimate rights of the patient to either refuse or accept treatment, terminal dehydration is legally admissible. Hence, there are no real legal conflicts or controversies involved in terminal dehydration. On the other hand, it is a breach of the fundamental rights of the patient and a compromise on his autonomy to coerce him to undergo painful, restrictive and intrusive treatment methods. However, we have to understand that the absence of legal restrictions does not suggest an automatic approval of terminal dehydration as an acceptable clinical practice. In other words, terminal dehydration is not absolved of the ethical and moral controversies which surround other active forms of euthanasia."
Tags: palliative, justification, withdraw, legal, right
Abstract Due to changing socio-demographics, the demand for health care and advanced medical technologies is growing consistently in St. Louis, with a concomitant rise in health expenditure. This paper introduces the strategic management of a healthcare facility in St. Louis, based on the micro and macro analysis of demography and economics.
From the Paper "Medicaid and Medicare were implemented in 1965 to provide health and custodial care for people who could not afford it themselves. As Medicaid pays for half of the nursing home expenditures these costs have been rising steadily with the changing demography, and longer life expectancy.[Author not available, 1997] A growing population and rising cost of health facilities has added to the Medicaid expenditure.[Author not available, 1997]
Insurance seems to be a better alternative for providing nursing home care as a vast majority of people over 65 years will not require nursing home care, and the duration of stay for the remainder will likely be short, only 9% remaining more than 5 years.[Author not available, 1997] But expensive premiums, less incentive to purchase insurance due to the availability of Medicaid and desire to remain with family and thus transferring funds to other individuals that could have been used for insurance used on long term nursing care, keeps the burden on Medicaid.[Author not available, 1997]"
Abstract This paper details how the American healthcare system, Medicare, plays an important role in the protection of the elderly. The paper shows the flaws in Medicare's system but argues that its goals to meet the health needs of all America's elderly are being attempted to be met. The paper discusses how Medicare is discarding its original plans and striving to meet the challenges of today's rising costs and changing populations. The paper also looks at the impact of managed care, the similarities between Medicare and Medicaid and the future of Medicare.
From the Paper "One way that Medicare is thinking of cutting costs is by shifting the risk of cost increases to beneficiaries. This is used to stimulate competition and to also change the way that Medicare services are organized. Allegedly, it would deliver the same high level of care but at a lower cost. The two main options for this service are offering vouchers for beneficiaries so that they can purchase the care of their choice, and requiring that beneficiaries enroll in managed care plans. These could potentially be combined with each other, or they may be treated as separate approaches. There are, naturally, both right and wrong ways to reform the Medicare system, and even the definition of right and wrong can vary, depending on who is being asked the question".
Abstract A study into the psychological aspects of aging in America. The writer explores the relevant literature to determine what impact income has on the access to adequate healthcare for the elderly in America. The paper provides a discussion of the findings in these various studies. The writer selected this topic because the problems associated with aging will be exacerbated in the coming years, with the aging of the nation.
From the Paper "They say that money can?t buy happiness, but it is clear from the research that income levels certainly affect the quality of life for older people in America. Despite the enormous strides made over the last 100 years in developing an unprecedented social security framework, significant disparities remain in the quality of healthcare and living conditions for the vast majority of elderly Americans."
Abstract Every person should have the right to die with dignity and as pain free as possible. Nurses confront end-of-life issues every day and understand the need for quality palliative care. The need for nurses to be leaders in palliative care is important for individuals, families, and communities.
Abstract This paper investigates how the conflict in Bosnia has impacted the existing elderly population that has been affected by the war. This paper achieves this goal through investigating the impact of globalization, the demographics of the region, the competition for funds, and the anti- discriminatory policies that have been put into place to protect the rights of the elderly in this region.
Abstract After a Mapping session in which several Canadians of Caribbean descent examined details of their attitudes and behaviours, the group realized that they had been acculturated to the Canadian mainstream culture. Using the example of how elderly family members are cared for, it is possible to see that the Caribbean identity survives even though the culture surrounding it has undergone obvious change.
Abstract Answers the question: why do some people live longer than others? Explores the scientific, psychological, social and literary perspectives of human aging and longevity.
Abstract The essay argues that meeting the housing needs of the elderly has to be based on the marketing approach of finding out the practical needs of the elderly population through a demographic profile. This paper includes a 4 pg. appendix of interviews with individuals in a nursing home, as a well as a nursing home supervisor.
Abstract The purpose of Felten's (2000) study was to investigate the characteristics that make up resilience in women older than age 85 who live in the community. There was two research questions: How do older women living in the community talk about their own experience of resilience? How are their experiences similar to each other?
Abstract This paper in the format of a feasibility study of performance based budgeting for a state of Michigan healthcare for the Aging Nutritional Program discusses budget decision-making procedures, goals, objective statements, and related topics, and presents a sample budget as well.
