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)."
Abstract The paper presents the definitions of culture and culturally competent care and examines the patient population demographics of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The paper centers on the Hispanic population and their vulnerability and discusses the fourteen standards of cultural competence as identified by the Office of Minority Health (OMH). The paper also evaluates the VHA's performance to meet these standards and looks at the implication for nursing and at potential solutions for areas were standards are not met. The paper concludes that as the healthcare industry moves to a more culturally competent delivery method, healthcare quality and effectiveness will improve.
Outline:
Culture
Population Demographics
Cultural Vulnerability
Standard One
Standard Two
Standard Three
Standard Four
Standard Five
Standard Six
Standard Seven
Standard Eight
Standard Nine
Standard Ten
Standard Eleven
Standard Twelve
Standard Thirteen
Standard Fourteen
Conclusion
From the Paper "Culture is defined as the incorporated pattern of human behavior that encompasses languages, values, thought, beliefs communication, customs, rituals, practices, relationships, courtesies, role, mannerisms and expected behaviors of an ethnic, social, racial or religious group (Hepburn, 2005). Cultural competence is a set of attitudes, policies, structures, practices and behaviors that collaborate in or between professionals, agencies, or systems that produce an increase in effectiveness to work with cross-cultural situations (Hepburn, 2005). The cultural competence standards used for this paper will be the OMH's National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS). The CLAS's primary focus is organizational healthcare application and is designed to encourage the evaluation and development of culturally and linguistically congruent care (Office of Minority Health [OMH], 2007)."
Abstract This paper looks at two problems that exist in the elderly population, and are probably getting the least attention, abuse and exploitation. It contends that one reason why these two problems often continue unnoticed is because people are usually oblivious to the signs that indicate that a person is suffering from abuse. The paper concludes that the best ways to prevent these problems are to research the problem and educate people.
From the Paper "So what are the signs and symptoms of elder abuse? General signs of abuse could be, frequent arguments or tension between the caregiver and elderly person, or changes in the personality or behavior of the elder (Jaffe-Gill, Benedictis, & Segal, 2008). Many people are unfamiliar to, and/or, fooled by the signs of elder abuse. Many people confuse or mistake some of the signs of abuse for dementia or just normal parts of the aging process. Being clear and knowledgeable of what the specific signs are, is major step in preventing and resolving these abuses. Some specific signs of physical abuse are, unexplained bruises, welts or scars. Broken bones, sprains, dislocations, reports of drug overdose, apparent failure to take medication, broken eyeglasses, and rope marks on the wrist as a result of being restrained, could all be indications of physical abuse (Jaffe-Gill, Benedictis, & Segal, 2008). "
Abstract This paper is an inspirational look at the effects of middle age, which suggests positive ways to face the mid-life transition, rather than plunging into despair as many people do.
From the Paper "The first step to viewing mid-life as a positive form of growth is by living in the present and looking forward to the future (Landau 112). A person should not dwell on what once was, or try to re-capture wonderful memories of days gone by. The past is the past and it should remain there. It is important to learn from mistakes and to grow from those, but not to dwell on them. Regrets can become poisonous to the soul. "What do we have now that we didn't have then? Experience-- which has given us more poise, more self-possession, and a broader perspective about ourselves than we have ever had before" (LeShan 235). It is important to realize that we constantly change and grow and learn. Beyond that, a person needs to feel that her life in the here and now has meaning and direction."
Abstract In our youth conscious society it is common to reject the wisdom of the old and to value instead only the potential of the young. This paper analyzes Tracy Kidder's book on the subject, "Old Friends" which examines the way old age is viewed in American society by focusing on two men in a nursing home.
From the Paper "The strength that is characteristic of these two men, and the independence they exhibited in life makes their existence in a nursing home extremely difficult, where their lives, like children, are governed by routine, and their lives, like the sick, seem purposeless and aimless. Unlike the sick, there is often the attitude that the old have simply been shut away to die, now that they no longer have anything to give back to society and cannot take care of themselves alone. However, life at a nursing home continues the lives these men lived "on the outside" rather than merely terminates it."
Abstract This paper reports the findings of an interview with a middle aged widow. Her views on the difficulties she will face as she ages are expressed. Research from the relevant literature on the topic is included.
From the Paper "The interviewee is a 57-year-old female retired teacher. This is her first year of retirement. "Nancy" was a special education teacher who left teaching twice before to pursue other interests. One time she went to work for a publisher, and the other time she left to write a book about special education. She is a widow whose husband passed away about six years ago. She has two daughters, both away from home most of the year. One is in college and the other is in graduate school. She is proud of their accomplishments and feels that she and her husband did a good job of raising them. However, neither show any interest in getting married at this time, and she doesn?t expect to have either sons-in-laws or grandchildren for some time. She reports that this is fine with her and is glad to see them getting a good start in life before they start a family. She herself had these children later in life, at age 32 and 35."
Abstract The United States has no current integrated system of providing long-term health care for older Americans. This paper examines why such an approach for long-term care for the elderly would be beneficial to all generations in a society as well as looking at the factors that have produced this growing need for long-term care (longer life spans, rising demographics).
From the Paper "How to pay for the care ? whether that care comes in the form of a nursing home or a person coming in to cook and clean a couple of times a week ? is in many ways the key question that must be addressed when considering how the elderly will be cared for. For while it would be hard to find anyone who argues that the elderly should not receive the best possible care. No one is advocating that seniors should be left without nutritious food or social contracts or proper nursing care. The subject under debate is always who will pay for these services. The United States, lacking a socialized system of health care, has always left the question of such care to the individual involved or that individual's family and friends."
Abstract The following paper examines how agitation, which is broadly characterized by anxiety accompanied by restlessness, is by far the most common cause for psychiatric consultation for the aged. The writer discusses how attempts to meaningfully categorize different agitated behaviors are in their infancy. The writer discusses why it is essential to distinguish truly problematic behaviors that dictate immediate intervention from "nuisance" behaviors or symptoms, such as repetitive questioning or non-upsetting visual hallucinations, which are probably better managed through caregiver education.
From the Paper "Cognitive-behavioral therapy for the elderly aims to change the way patients behave by focusing on the actual behavior rather than basing the solution on the emotions of the individual being treated and the associative causes. These include behavioral disorders of elderly patients which may result from emotional reactions to the hardships or crises of life such as psychoses, which is characterized by deranged thinking and behavior and often require hospitalization; psychoneuroses, which are chronic disorders that affect a person's ability to function and that may be accompanied by bodily symptoms and psychosomatic disorders, such as gastric or duodenal ulcer, certain skin diseases and stress."
Abstract This paper is a compare and contrast analysis of the characteristics and effects of old age on man compared to their younger fellow species. It looks at the differences in physical and psychological states and examines the dread of some at becoming old and the measures people take to try and slow down the condition. It also reviews various pieces of literature on the topic of old age and the elderly.
From the Paper "Young people burst with energy and life. Their days are filled with physical activity, games, sports, and mischief. Older adults usually do not exhibit any mischievous traits, which may be an unfortunate side effect of aging. A little bit of playfulness can boost saddened spirits. Both seniors and adolescents seem prone to melancholy and depression; it seems that with regards to mental, emotional, and psychological health, old age and youth have much in common. Likewise, the body seems to basically begin going in reverse after middle age. Teeth and hair fall out and bones shrink."
Tags: youth, wisdom, seniors, adolescents, life, death
From the Paper "This literature review addresses several issues related to the study of aging. Theoretical perspectives, research methods, and current controversies are reviewed.
One issue that has beset the development of research on aging is a definition of old age (Scanzoni & Scanzoni, 1988, p. 549). Research in the United Kingdom and the United States has found that the older a person is in a chronological sense, the later is the chronological age at which that person tends to think old age begins. The concept of old age also is affected by social stratum: lower-status persons, as an example tend to think that old age begins in the fifties, while higher-status persons tend to think that old age begins around age 65."
From the Paper As the population of elderly people rises, and the costs associated with medical care rise, the role nutrition plays in remaining healthy as a person ages is being shown to be more important than was earlier thought. Many factors contribute to the level of nutrition a person receives. Elderly people are often sedentary, home-bound, chronically ill, taking medications. These and other elements in their lifestyle affect the way their bodies utilize and metabolize their food. These and other factors affect how, when, where, and how much they eat. Malnutrition in the form of over or under eating is one of the most pervasive and potentially debilitating problems experienced by the elderly of the United States (Murphy, Everett, & Dresser, 1992, p. 184). Caloric intake in the United States tends to decrease with age. The risk of the elderly consuming too few..."
From the Paper " Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to discuss an age-related pathology, osteoporosis. The paper begins with a definition of the disorder; this is followed by discussions of its causes, consequences and treatments. Studies concerned with these aspects of the topic are explained and compared, and their conclusions are applied to osteoporosis.
Definition and Types of Osteoporosis
Gabby (1994) states that osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease in Western societies; it is characterized by a reduction of bone mass, leading to the increased susceptibility to fractures. Gabby also notes that with increases in life expectancy and in the number of elderly people, bone loss and fractures are becoming more common in the United.."
From the Paper "AGING & DEPRESSION
Introduction
Depression is common in the elderly population; it is associated with a higher risk of death from suicide than for any other age group. Because of the rapid increase in the proportion of aged in the world population, more people are at risk of developing depression. The study of depression in the elderly includes prevalence, recognition, and diagnosis of the disorder, factors associated with depression, treatment, and concerns and/or needs of the elderly regarding retirement, social interaction, and individuality (Lobo, Saz, Marcos, Dia, & De-la-Camara, 1995; Martin, Fleming, & Evans, 1995).
Prevalence, Recognition, & Diagnosis
Martin, Fleming, and Evans (1995) reviewed the medical.."
From the Paper "MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS IN AGING PATIENTS
Introduction
This research reviews literature related to mental health diagnoses in aging patients. Addressed in this review are anxiety, depression/suicide, alcoholism, prescription medication misuse/abuse, non Alzheimer's dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
Anxiety
Clinical anxiety in elderly persons is defined within the context of feelings experienced by a person (Lane, Terry, & Karageorghis, 1995, pp. 1255-1266). At one level, anxiety is defined as a feeling of mingled dread and apprehension about a person's future where no specific cause for such dread and apprehension is present. At another level anxiety is defined as a chronic feeling of fear by a person. This feeling may be mild in intensity.."
