Abstract This paper discusses the problem of an increase of alcohol abuse among the over 65 segment of the population. The problems in identifying alcohol abuse in this group, as well as the consequences of the abuse are presented. The causes of abuse specific to the elderly population are explored.
From the Paper "Substance abuse, especially that of alcohol and prescription drugs, is increasingly growing into a serious problem among the population segment of 65 plus citizens. What is of grave concern is the fact that this particular segment of the population is the fastest growing. Census estimates predict that 1994's older adult population of 33 million will more than double to 80 million by 2050. Also consider the fact that several studies have found a clear relationship between early alcohol habits and the development of alcohol abuse later in life. Given that the use of alcohol has been more widespread since the 1960s, it is likely that the future will see a far larger incidence of alcohol abuse among the elderly with the ageing of the baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964)."
Discusses low status in industrialized nations such as U.S. Disengagement theory, activity theory. Compares U.S. to Ireland in terms of social services.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 10 sources, 2001, $ 39.95
From the Paper "Different cultures treat the elderly in different ways. Cox (1998) notes research showing an inverse relationship "between the degree of modernization and the status accorded old persons" (Cox, 1998, 1), which means that in the more industrialized nations, the older person has a lower status than is the case in less industrialized nations. This is something we can see all around us as our own culture celebrates youth to the exclusion of the old and has been charged with throwing away older people.
The position of the aged in modern society is clearly a reflection of the process of disengagement, referred to by Morgan & Kunkel (1998) in terms of retirement. Disengagement should be a social process that moves older people into a new arrangement, but still "into full participation within the..."
From the Paper "Because of the significant decline in deaths due to heart disease in the United States, the number of people living to an advanced age has increased considerably. The 1990 census estimated that there were 31.2 elderly individuals in America, comprising 13 percent of the adult population (Crispell and Frey, 1993). Most of the available information about the distribution of the elderly in the United States comes from census data, since this is about the only time such statistics are collected for the nation as a whole.
In the last census for which figures are available (1990), more than one in four individuals over the age of 65 were found to be living by themselves, while more than 50 percent were the head of a household, or married to the head of a household. While the incomes of those aged between 65 and 74 years of age were..."
Examines care of aged by relatives and the significance of such an arrangement. The stress factor is discussed as well as the issues of generational conflict & role reversal. It look at the impact on family, the needs for social support and the role of n
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 11 sources, 1997, $ 71.95
From the Paper " This paper addresses the care of elderly patients by their relatives and the role reversal that takes place in this care setting. It identifies and discusses the issue of elderly care, the impact of care on family members, social and community resources available to families facing the issue of taking care of elderly patients, and the role of the family nurse practitioner within this caregiving setting.
Family members and friends continue to provide the major portion of long-term care of the elderly in society (Burggraf, 1993, p. 25). More than 7 million American households are actively involved in providing care for older adults (Sharlach & Others, 1991, pp. xi-xvi). These households are part of the support for 5 million older Americans who require assistance with day-to-day tasks in order to remain in the community."
An examination of the evolution of the European Community's policies and laws covering health and care, social services and human rights. Includes politics, economics, examples, insurance, long-term care and more.
5,625 words (approx. 22.5 pages), 59 sources, 2000, $ 135.95
From the Paper "Care For the Elderly and the Rights of the Disabled
in the European Community
This research paper discusses the current status in the European Community (EC) of provision for the care of the elderly and the disabled and the rights of persons who fall into such categories. Most of the nations of Western Europe provide extensive protection for the elderly and, to a lesser extent, the disabled, but a combination of fiscal, economic and demographic pressures render them unable to maintain, let alone expand, those benefits just as the aging of their populations is rendering a significant number of the elderly and the disabled more vulnerable. As a result, since the early 1980s a major political battle has been developing over the size and terms of future entitlement programs for these groups and various alternatives..."
This paper reviews the problem of alcoholism in the elderly and discusses behavioral treatments: Demographics, types, causes and effects, nutrition, suicide, denial, group therapy and the role of family.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 8 sources, 1985, $ 79.95
From the Paper "This paper will present an up-to-date review of the behavioral treatments used to modify alcoholism in the elderly. In so doing, it will give an overview of the problem in general, and then will give specific examples, cases and experimental studies that have been used in recent times to resolve the problems connected with this disease.
Alcohol is one of the most widely used and abused drugs in the United States today. Almost 75% of all adult Americans drink some alcohol annually.
Now that 24.6 million Americans, roughly eleven percent of the population, are now over the age of 65 and 3 million people in this country are over 80, the concern of alcohol use in the elderly has become a national issue.
From the Paper "In recent years, the problem of child abuse--long hidden behind closed doors and ignored by the public--has come to the forefront of public attention. So, tool, have other problems of domestic violence and abuse, such as wife-beating. But there is another category of abuse within the household that has, as yet, attracted little attention. This is abuse of the elderly. Yet the elderly are the fastest-growing segment of the American popula-tion. This report will discuss the problem of abuse of the elderly. It will show that it is an issue of growing importance, both because of the increasing numbers of the elderly and because of other demographic and social factors. This growth in the number of older people, along with a number of other factors which will be detailed below, suggests that abuse of the elderly may become a growing problem in the years ahead."
Examines alternative to institutional care, focusing on long-term care for chronically ill patients. Discusses health needs & costs, population affected, laws and government involvement.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 19 sources, 1989, $ 95.95
From the Paper "This research examines the concept of home health care (HHC) services delivery for the elderly. HHC is examined as an alternative to institutional delivery of health care services. The focus in this examination is on the delivery of long.term care (LTC) to chronically ill individuals.
HEALTH CARE NEEDS AND COSTS OF THE ELDERLY
The average life span in the United States increased from an expected 70 years in 1960 to 79 years in the late 1980s. The expected life span for women is greater than that for men. Additionally, the expected life span applied to individuals born in the year for which the statistic is determined..not for those individuals already in their elderly years. A similar life expectancy increase, however, developed with respect to all age (...)"
From the Paper "This report will examine osteoporosis, beginning with a brief description of the disease. Some of the contributing causes of osteoporosis will be given as well as possible means of prevention and treatment. This report will also include an in depth look at several reasearch studies in the field.
Osteoporosis is a disease which primarily affects the skeletal system of the elderly, with the most severe effects being seen in women, generally after menopause. More than half the fractures seen in adults are related to osteoporosis. Women, however, are from two to four times as likely to suffer an osteoporotic fracture. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the density of the bones is so low that they easily fracture. The most common fractures are of the wrist, femur, and spine; however, other fractures to the ribs and ... "
People should not flinch at the words "aging," "elderly," or "old," but in the present American society they do. In actuality, growing older is a fact of life and can be viewed as a time of full flowering, as predictable in its stages of change as that of the infant. Many people are afraid of the final stage of life and tend to avoid dealing with it, but this is wrong, and this modern, clumsy patterned should be changed (Donavin, 1990, p. viii). Some human development theorists have discussed ideas and research concerning the stages of growth in the final era of life, and it is the purpose of this paper to summarize those concepts.
Daniel Levinson's famous work, The Seasons of a Man's Life, summarizes the lives of forty men as they moved through the..."
From the Paper " enile Dementia
As people have begun to live longer, there has been a corresponding increase in the prevalence of chronic illnesses associated with old age. One disease which occurs among the elderly is dementia. This highly variable syndrome is primarily characterized by mental deterioration. In addition though, it may also present with a concomitant decline in patients' general physical functioning. One particular dementia, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, mainly involves diminished cognitive capacity. The prognosis for different dementia patients varies depending on numerous factors. Treatment should generally occur through a multidisciplinary, team approach. Such a therapeutic framework facilitates the nurse's ability to deliver effective health care. "
From the Paper "Theories of Aging
The aging process may vary considerably both between individuals and among different species. Over the years, innumerable theories have been proposed in an attempt to explain this phenomenon. While none of these theories conclusively defines the physiological mechanisms of aging, many do seem plausible. Of the mammalian species, the human life span is greatest. In fact, in recent decades, entire populations of humans have been increasing in average age. This shift in age distributions has occurred primarily in the world's developed countries. Undoubtedly, such change will one day have implications for health care providers. In nursing, for example, a re.evaluation of health care priorities could become necessary. The term, "senescence," can be defined as a "decline in the..."
Abstract Discusses values important to the elderly. Identifies three major values: relationships, spirituality and quality of life including finances. Cultural views toward aging, with emphasis on the United States. Theories of human development. Family issues. Meaning of life; religious & non-religioius spirituality. Statistics regarding elderly Americans. Issue of how society and government will deal with an aging population.
From the Paper "Human beings have been dealing with the aging process since the earliest days of cognizance. Aging has been viewed differently historically by different societies. In Asia and South America, family members of advanced age are respected for their vast experience and included into the immediate family group. In the United States, which emphasizes youth and energy over age and wisdom, family members of advancing years are placed in nursing homes where they can live comfortably out of sight. However, as the baby-boomer generation rapidly advances in age, Americans will have to rethink their attitudes towards aging. In a rapidly aging society, the bias towards youth will have to be replaced by an added level of respect for the elderly and the values that are important to the aging demographic. This paper will discuss the value systems that are important to..."
Abstract The writer discusses the ways in which caregiving can be successful or meaningful for those involved with the Alzheimer's patient. The paper argues that the problem is that we live in a society that is not designed to care for an immense aging population with dementia that demands attention seven days a week. Finally, the paper suggests methods for caring for this population.
Table of Contents:
The Problem
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Importance of the Study
Scope or Delimitation of the Study
Review of the Literature
Introduction
Organization of the Literature Review
Literature Review
Alzheimer's: Causes and Consequences
Causes
Symptoms
Progression
Consequences
Care Options and Financial Considerations
Caregiver Burdens and Non-Medical Admissions
Psychosocial Impact of Alzheimer's Disease
Variables
Impact
Culture
Doing Family Caregiving Well
Coping Strategies
Summary
Conclusion
Implications of the Study
Position of the Author
References
From the Paper "Using neurophysiological methods can also be helpful. For example, using the MRI, measurements of brain atrophy and the hippocampus may help identify dementia development at an early stage. Another problem area that can be measured is hypometabolism in bilateral parietotemporal brain areas. Finally, recent work in biochemistry has identified certain proteins which may be associated with the disease process. These include the A beta 1-42/43 metabolite of the amyloid precursor protein, among others. The authors note that since the mechanism of Alzheimer's is not completely understood, it is important to use many different sources and multiple markers in order to arrive at a good, early diagnosis of Alzheimer's (Almkvist and Winblad, 1999)."
Abstract This research paper discusses what has been done in recent years and what can be done in the future to make long term care better for the elderly who are no longer able to care for themselves. It looks at the impact of cost, quality and access of Medicare, Medicaid and new technology in nursing homes. The paper defines what nursing homes are, and how they operate.
From the Paper "The number of elderly who are living longer is on the rise because of new methods of treatments, new medications and use of medical technology to improve their life span. On any given day, nursing homes, or as many are now called, "long-term care facilities", are caring for about one in twenty Americans over the age of 65. Almost half of all Americans turning 65 this year will be admitted into a nursing home at least once. It is projected that in 2020, 40 percent of Americans will die in nursing homes. As the numbers increase in utilization of nursing homes, there is increasing concern about cost, quality and access- concerns that need to get attention."
