Abstract This paper focuses upon both the needs and the challenges faced by both the family as a whole and by individuals entering the final phase of the family life cycle. It looks at how the final phase of the family life cycle encompasses two separate stages, the launching phase (55-69 years of age), which is characterised by the last dependent member of the family exiting from the family system and the 'later life' stage (70 to 100+ years of age), which is characterised by the acceptance of a shift in generational roles.
Outline
Family Systems Theory
Launching Stage
Assessment and Treatment Issues within the Launching Stage
Transition from the Launching Stage to Later Life
Later Life
End of Life and Loss
Assessment and Treatment Issues in Later Life
Summary
From the Paper "Self-concept plays a large role within this stage, which is best portrayed by Erikson's psychosocial theory of development. Here, the middle aged adult looks outside of themselves and aspires to care, or to be of service to others; such a notion is coined: generativity. Generativity is analogous to unselfish love and is given regardless of whether or not it is reciprocated (Erikson, 1963). On the other side of the notion of generativity is stagnation, in which the individual becomes completely self-absorbed. Such a stage of conflict contributes to one's sense of purpose and their expanded identity. Here, individuals re-evaluate their career goals, they have a shift in family responsibility and they must begin to deal with one's own mortality (Erikson, 1963)."
Abstract This report looks at the general issue of age discrimination in the workplace, focusing more specifically on ageism as it applies to older individuals between the ages of forty and seventy. This issue is looked at in terms of existing studies on the issue and how it is being dealt with in a programmatic manner by organizations. That is, this report does not just look at the problem of age discrimination in the workplace, but also explores existing literature for solution based measures that can be used to advocate and recommend change. The report then goes on to make these recommendations, including the recommendation that organizations install programs that are respective of employee diversity to help educate people about the perils of ageism as it exists as a problem in our society.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Discussion of Findings
Recommendations
Conclusions
From the Paper "It is the main finding of the current report that in most cases, age discrimination in the workplace can be directly related to ageism in the society. Ageism is a type of prejudice that is leveled against people because of the sole feature of their age rather than about getting to know the person as a complex human being. Often when they have prejudiced attitudes, people will determine that everyone in a certain group defined oftenby physical characteristics is going to act the same way. One source of ageist attitudes therefore is prejudice against the older individuals in society. Prejudice against older individuals through ageism may manifest itself in a relatively harmless way or a way that actually harms the older individual, and this is a good reason that these stereotypes should be eliminated."
Abstract This report takes a look at how Medicare impacts the American healthcare system and attempts to answer questions about the future of Medicare. The paper also touches upon issues affecting the elderly regarding present problems in Medicare and future problems that are foreseen. In addition, this report looks at both present and future possibilities with regard to Medicare by looking at present risks and then makes conclusions and recommendations for both future research and for programmatic change and advocacy in healthcare.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Issues Under Investigation
Research Questions
Literature Review
Analysis
Recommendations
Conclusion
From the Paper "Another issue associated with this topic is that one of the reasons that many older individuals are not prepared to face the costs of long-term care is because they think it is already fully covered by Medicare. Public education needs to be an important part of the insurance process, but often older individuals are confused by the plethora of insurance options and split coverage that are offered to them. Adding to this confusion, many older individuals assume that Medicare is prepared to give them long-term care allowances over sixty days. "A major obstacle to the development of long-term care insurance is the widespread misperception that Medicare and private health insurance policies that supplement Medicare cover long-term care, when in fact they do not...People must be educated concerning their need for private long-term care insurance" (Atchley, 2000, p. 367). Long-term care can be very expensive for those individuals who are not prepared to face these costs."
Abstract This paper studies Erik Erikson's life cycle stage development theory. The paper applies the eights stages of Erikson's model to the life history of a retired 69-year-old male accountant.
From the Paper "My interpreter is named Don Weldon, a 69 year-old retired accountant who is divorced with one male son. Mr. Weldon worked for Penn State University for over thirty years and resides in State College Pennsylvania in the summers and Lakeland Florida in the winter..."
Tags: Erikson, life cycle, stage development, friends, family, life history, human growth
Abstract This paper discusses the incidence and type of elder abuse common in the United States. The paper reviews literature and describes its importance to social work. The paper also identifies outside issues relevant to the problem .
From the Paper "The purpose of this research paper is to identify issues relevant to the problem of elder neglect and abuse in the United States. This is a problem according to Tatara which impacts upon approximately ...."
Tags: elder abuse, elder neglect, social work, public policy
Abstract This papr explains that the current drugs being used only treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The author points out that the new generation of drugs being tested hold promise for being able to slow or halt the onset of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with mild dementia. The paper describes these drugs.
From the Paper "There are more than ... million Americans who currently suffer from the disorder known as Alzheimer's disease. The current generation of Alzheimer drugs were designed chiefly to treat symptoms of the disease but have little to no impact on slowing or stopping its progression. However, a new generation of drugs aimed at slowing and stopping the progression of the disease are in late phases of testing. The following drugs are in late phases of FDA testing to treat Alzheimer's disease and related disorders: ..."
Abstract This paper addresses demographic changes regarding the aging of the population and its impact on nursing practice. Included in the paper is a review of three journal articles. The paper also takes a look at the implications all this has for the health care of older Americans.
From the Paper "According to Carol Gavan, in an article in Holistic Nursing Practice, over the next thirty years America will see a dramatic increase in the number of older adults in the United States. This increase in the size of the older U S population will have significant implications for the health care system as well as changes in family..."
Tags: demographic changes, aging of the population and the impact on nursing practice, geriatric, health care gap, nursing, medical school, stereotypes, senility, rigid patients, nursing home
Abstract This paper presents an aging plan for an adult approaching retirement age, focusing on the advance planning needed to be financially secure and legally protected while aging. The paper covers the following pertinent topics: financial planning for adequate income, legal documentation for estate protection, legal documentation for healthcare and end-of-life decision making, health related expenses, housing, assistance and care. The paper includes a conclusion about what a baby boomer nearing retirement needs to plan for.
Tags: Older adilt, retirement, pensions, 401k, social security, SSI, health care, medicare, medicaid, estate planning, trusts, executor, end of life decisions
Abstract This paper looks at the physical and mental aspects of aging, exploring how people regard old age. This includes how old people feel about being old, what they regret most about old age, what they feel about young people and old age as a state of mind.
From the Paper "While aging takes its toll on the body and there are many effects of aging which we simply cannot escape from, there are also many misconceptions held about aging especially by younger people. For instance, many people believe that when you grow old, there is no potential for growth, learning and being actively engaged in life. While this is true of some people, it is not true for the majority of the elderly who live happy productive lives."
This paper reviews and analyzes the published literature pertaining to the use of music therapy in caring for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Abstract This paper delves into how and why musical therapy offers a better quality of life when used with patients suffering from the effects of dementia or Alzheimer's. The writer of this paper details the results of the Remington study which exposed individuals to either music, massage or both in 10-minute intervals to see both the long and short-term effects it had on patients diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's. The writer analyzes the published scientific reports and studies that prove music and music therapy stimulates the minds of young children and can thus be used in older individuals to aid in re-stimulating the mind. This paper focuses on both the physical and psychological side-effects of dementia and Alzheimer's before music therapy as well as after receiving treatment. This paper also examines the genetic and environmental causes of dementia and Alzheimer's as well as the importance of early detection in order to offset, at least temporarily, the eventually devastating side-effects of both diseases.
From the Paper "Some studies have also indicated that the risk of developing dementia rises when the individual has a lower education and lower lifetime occupational achievement. Because of this, the importance of stimulating the mind and keeping it active can readily be seen. This is largely where music therapy comes into the equation. Music does stimulate the mind, and there is scientific evidence that children that study music perform better in school. With this in mind, music can then be used to help those whose minds are starting to fail, by stimulating those minds once again. This may not work for everyone with dementia, but studies have shown that there are some positive effects for most individuals, and that is certainly enough to warrant a further examination of the issue. Music therapy has been used for some time for the elderly."
Abstract This paper summarizes the three basic stages of adult development and some of the physical and psychological and intellectual changes that occur as humans age.
From the Paper "Two of the most significant aspects of adult development and aging are the changes in maturation and learning, which together affect the physical and biological aspects of a person, as well as their personality and cognition, intellectual perceptions and self-awareness (Rubin & McNeil, 1985, p.258). The stages of adulthood are broken down into early, middle and late, and all have different physical and psychological effects on the individual, but the most important aspect on adult development into aging is the life experiences of each individual (Rubin & McNeil, 1985, p.258). The stages of adulthood are not necessarily indicated by the age of an individual, but by their external life structure elements, such as work and family life, as well as internal aspects of self (Rubin & McNeil, 1985, p.259)."
Abstract This is a paper examines a health assessment of an elderly individual, including the choice of assessment tools, and the outcome and case presentation. Here, a 78 year old male with type two diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol presented for a wound that did not heal properly. The assessment and decision for case management and the presentation on case management was based on the Neumann Systems Model which is a holistically based model calling for an interdisciplinary team.
From the Paper "Case Management and the Elderly: Case management is rapidly becoming a requirement for the growing population of elderly individuals who experience a chronic or debilitating health issue. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of a 78 year old male diabetic patient who presented to a community clinic setting for problems related to a wound that was not healing properly and discusses the various assessments used and the role of case management. The case presentation will incorporate the comprehensive nature of health assessment requirements for the elderly consistent with the holistic nature of the Neumann Systems Model. Based on the case presentation, the need for a case manager and the development of a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals in the community health setting are required. Plans for follow-up and continuity of care are provided as are schedules and type of monitoring and future evaluations."
Abstract This paper takes an in-depth look at Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative brain disorder that was first identified in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer. This disease represents the single most prevalent form of brain disorders and is also the leading cause of dementia, affecting approximately 4.5 million people in the Untied States. The paper provides a brief overview of the disease, the symptoms, the diagnostic procedures and the treatment methods in order for us to gain a better understanding of this degenerative brain disorder.
Outline:
Introduction
Alzheimer's Disease
Early and Late onset Alzheimer's Disease
Symptoms of the Disease
Memory Loss and Language Disorder
Depression
Dyspraxia and Agnosia
Diagnosis
Tests for Cognitive Impairment
Positron Emission Topography
Major Causes of Alzheimer's Disease
Amyloid Plaques
NeuroFibrillary Tangles
Metal ions
Treatment Methods
Restoring Cholinergic Transmission
Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Conclusion
From the Paper "Considerable reduction in cholinergic transmission is one of the primary causes for the loss of memory and other associated symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia. Hence pharmacological treatment for AD mainly revolves around rectifying this circulatory deficit within the brain. Compounds designed to enhance cholinergic transmission constitute an important part of the treatment plan. Acetylcholine the neurotransmitter of the brain is considerably broken down in-patients suffering from AD and other dementias. The underlying mechanism of the neurotransmitter can be simplified as follows. An electrical impulse generated passes along the nerve and when it reaches the end it triggers the release of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters, which in turn diffuse along the synaptic cleft and react with the specific receptor sites on the organ. Activation at the receptor junction initiates a series of chemical reactions resulting in a specific biological response. "
Abstract This paper discusses how Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and debilitating disease affecting an estimated four million people in the United States. It looks at how it begins slowly and progresses over time and how symptoms may include memory loss, confusion, problems with thinking and learning and behavioral changes. It also discusses how, at this time, no known cure for Alzheimer's Disease exists and how researchers are testing a great number and variety of substances in hopes of finding ways to ease, slow, and eventually prevent Alzheimer's disease.
From the Paper "The symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease are caused by the destruction of brain cells. These symptoms include problems with memory and in later stages impairments in language and reason. Alzheimer's Disease progresses at varying speeds and symptoms may differ among patients. Characterizing features include its gradual onset, progressive decline in cognitive function, difficulty in learning and retaining new information, and finally disorientation and impaired judgement. In the later stages, there is a marked change in behavior and mood, leading to delusions, aggression, and wandering. "
Abstract This paper deals with the subject of elderly abuse and attempts to make the connection between elder abuse and family violence. The author explains that elder abuse is becoming more and more recognized as a form of family violence, and describes the different types of abuse, analyzing the connection between elder abuse and family violence. The author also uses the Ageism concept to explain elder abuse in broad context, to explain how society's distorted view on the elderly affect care-givers likeliness to abuse their elderly family members.
Outline:
Introduction
Purpose
Rationale
Key Concepts Related to Elder Abuse
What is Elderly Abuse?
Elder Abuse as a Form of Family Violence
Analysis:
The Situation Model
Social Exchange Theory
Ageism
Practice Interventions
Conclusion
From the Paper "Elder abuse is a growing social concern in Western society, but it is not a new phenomenon. Mistreatment of older people both in the community and within institutions has been an enduring feature of our social history. Many older Canadians have suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of family members and caregivers for many years, without the support and resources they needed to leave their abusive situations. Recently, practitioners have been displaying a growing awareness and concern about elder abuse, putting a new perspective to this type of family violence (Pillemer & Wolf, 1986: 169). Like other types of domestic violence, elder abuse is extremely complex. It is a combination of many factors, from psychological to economic as well as the mental and physical conditions of the victim and the abuser. These factors do not usually operate in isolation. Instead, they tend to function as complex dimensions, interacting in ways uniquely dependent on the victim, perpetrator and the situation (Steinmetz, 1988: 23)
Moreover, research shows that estimates of abuse are difficult to make, although in Canada it is often said to affect at least four percent of seniors (Kinnon, 2001: 6).
"In addition, explanations about why abuse occurs under different theoretical frameworks make it difficult to pin-point the direct connection between the dynamics of elder abuse and family violence. Many elder abuse cases fit the paradigm of family violence; that is, acts of abuse or misuse of power that may result in harm to a family member (Pillemer & Suitor, 1992: 170). However, not all cases involve spouses or family members. Practitioners stress the need to understand the entire range of elder abuse and the underlying causes- including self-neglect, abuse and neglect within the family, and abuse that occurs in institutional settings (Prevention Pathways, 2004: 12)."
