Depression in Older Adults Anjeli Patel ORG 6300 - Instructor: Kristin Ballard July 4th, 2011 Depression in Older Adults Personalities consist of many different characteristics that make up our individuality and dictate how we will interact with our environment and the people in it. In older adults, personalities tend to become more agreeable and open. Nevertheless, although older adults may appear to be happier than younger adults are, they still have to face aging. They could potentially have more health problems. They will have to retire from their jobs, which could result in the loss of social contacts.
Encouraging senior communities can be beneficial to not only the senior but the seniors loved ones as well. Senior living communities can provide peace of mind to relatives concerned about the senior’s well-being. Senior Living Communities are places where the aging population can live to make life easier and more fulfilling. As a person ages their needs and abilities may change in a way that they require more assistance than was needed in earlier life. Reasons that a senior citizen may be encouraged to live in a senior specific community can vary from cost efficiency to medical necessity.
Negative stereotypes can have harmful consequences for the quality of life of older adults and can also result in a major loss to society. With increases in life expectancy as well as reduced infirmity, many adults are aging well, but negative stereotypes of aging may put society at risk for losing the contributions of these vital and knowledgeable people. The potential individual and social effects underscore the need to understand the content of aging stereotypes in terms of their accuracy and applications. It is especially important to understand how negative stereotypes exacerbate poor performance in areas in which decline is real. That is, beliefs that memory is bad in old age can reduce motivation when increased motivation is needed
The ability to feel safe in the environment is a major concern for the elderly. A balance of social time and time alone is important to the older adult—just as in other stages of life. The amount of time a person wants to spend socializing or alone varies based on one’s personality. Some residents will want more time alone than other residents. During times of solitude, one gains insight into oneself, others, and the environment.
The veteran’s new physical or psychological health may have created a small or drastic change, with coworkers feeling uncomfortable interacting with the veteran. With the current faltering economy, jobs may have disappeared or companies closed down. The veterans may have returned to jobs where their peers have been promoted and moved ahead while the veterans return to lower level/different jobs. Families may have changed; some spouses and children may be estranged from the combat
These relationships can take on a therapeutic role for us as well. They can help reduce stress, help recover from illness faster, reduce hypertension, and lower mortality rates. As we age, we tend to reduce the circle of friends that can remain close into old age. As we get older and family and friends die, these remaining friendships take on a larger role. I believe this article would be a good topic for a research paper if it was needed.
Elder Abuse Program Report Patricia Munive CJA 410 May 25, 2015 Instructor Joseph Wilner Elder Abuse Program Report Elder abuse is defined as intentional harm or neglect that can cause a risk of harm. An elderly is vulnerable by the caregiver or anyone who is trusted to take care of them. This would include the caregiver not protecting and meeting the requirements to fulfill the needs of the individual. The number of elders who are abused and neglected is unknown. Research shows that elderly women are abused more than men.
What we define as being disengaged may, from the point of view of the elderly, be very engaged are spending time with grandchildren, travelling, volunteering, or even playing bingo passive and empty ways to spend time, or ways of engaging with others around common activities. This can lead to negative emotional development as a senior may feel that they are no longer have any value to roles in society because gradually, the power of older people will decrease and will be overtaken by the younger generation, which can lead to depression and isolation. Activity Theory Another theory proposed by Lemon, Bengston and Peterson in 1972 which has a more optimistic view of Ageing. It
The most common negative myths and stereotypes about ageing mentioned are; illnesses impotency, ugliness, mental decline, mental illness, uselessness, isolation, poverty, depression and political power. Illnesses are prejudices that are related to older people but incorrectly and unjustified as this group is in general fairly healthy.
Does this make them immature or lucky? Too many adults lose the ability to see the world through a child’s eyes; and this may be part of what causes some of the issues faced by adults. The older generation is indeed wise and has a lot to offer a middle aged person, or young adult as well as teenagers and adolescents. As we enter into late adulthood it is indeed vital to try and stay as healthy and as active as possible. This is important as this will help during the experiences and changes that life brings, some uncontrollable and unpredictable.