1. A statement in your textbook states that as we grow older, we become more unlike each other. We have shared that people do not age the same way and a person’s chronological age is not an accurate predictor of that person. a. Define biological, psychological, and sociological aging. Biological aging – the physiological changes that reduces the functioning of the organ system such as the heart, lungs and the circulatory system but is does not necessarily result in death. Psychological aging – Involves the effects of cognitive abilities and personality such as memory, intelligence and learning abilities. sociological aging – The persons changing roles in society such as their political and religious organizations. It also includes their changing relationships with their friends and family.
b. Give an example of each one of these types of aging that may demonstrate this type of aging in an older person. Biological aging – If a person is 70 but due to a healthy life style such as exercising regularly and not smoking or drinking the person may feel like they are 60 instead of 70. Psychological Aging – The individual may forget what they had for breakfast Sociological Aging – c. Define the term “baby boomer” and how is this group now changing the demographics of the United States? A baby boomer refers to an individual that was born after World War 2 between thw years of 1946 and 1964. By 2020 there will be more people that are 65 or older than children under 5 and by 2050 people 65 or older will make up 21 percent of the population. One reason for this is the increase of life expectancy due to improvements is medicine/
d. List three reasons that elders of color (includes what was previously referred to as minorities or other cultures, culturally diverse populations) in the United States have a lower life expectancy than whites. How does gender affect life expectancy for elders of color? The three reasons why minorities have a lower life expectancy than whites is because healthcare is not as assessable to them as it is for whites and inadequate education and poverty. Women of color tend to live longer than men of color and African American women that are the oldest old are the fastest growing group of African American elders.
2. A. Why are researchers who study global aging particularly interested in following the demographic changes in Japan, Germany, and Italy? They are interested in studying these countries because of their high median age. These countries have a high aging population and researchers want to study these countries and see how they will respond to a growing population of older people. b. What is meant by median age and why is this important to follow in countries worldwide? What does this tell us? The median age is where half the population is younger and the other half is older. It is important to study the median age around the world because it tells us about the aging population
c. In Figure 2.3 Population Pyramids of China comparing 2000 and 2050, what is the significance of this drastic change in age groups? There will be more older people than younger people due to the decline in birthrates. d. What is the modernization theory and how has this affected elders’ social status? The modernization theory is the change from a traditional society to a more modernized society. As society becomes more modernized older people lose their social status and they become less involved in their community and there is a gap between the younger and older generations due to this separation and the older people are often not as well respect by younger people.
4. a. You are asked to establish a health promotion program at the local senior center and to direct it. What items will be included in your program? (minimum of 5) See this website as a means of setting up your program: I would encourage stress management skills, physical activity such as muscle strength exercises which helps maintain healthy bone mass and I would promote a well-balanced diet.
b. What are some of the normal changes that the body undergoes to the skin known as the integumentary system as a person ages? What preventive measures can a person take to minimize changes over the years regarding this system? The effects of aging on the skin results in melanin which are the brownish purple spots older people are prone to get from sun exposure and as people age their skin becomes thinner, loses its elasticity, drier, and more wrinkled. Blood circulation decreases as well with age and this causes them to become more sensitive to temperature. Preventative measures include limiting sun exposure, proper nutrition such as drinking lots of water to help with the changes in the skin, and exercise to help with blood circulation.
c. Falls can have serious consequences for older adults and older adults fear falling. Your aged grandmother (age 82) is moving into an independent living apartment in a retirement community. List 4 things you will do to make sure that the apartment provides a safe living space and she is less likely to fall? Put night light around the apartment so she can see better when its dark Have non – slip mats put in the shower and a shower chair so she will not fall Install grab bars in the bathroom Make sure that her apartment is well organized and nothing big or bulky is in her way and make sure is she had carpet that it was secure so she might not accidentally ship over it. A raised toilet seat so she can get up easier and reduce the chance of falling
4. In this chapter, we read about and discussed changes in cognitive thinking, memory, and learning. We also looked at some other changes that are not normal but do occur such as dementia, depression, suicide, and alcoholism. a. Describe the elements of “successful aging.” How would you advise a baby boomer in the best ways to prepare for a successful old age? Successful aging is described as being physically healthy, retaining your cognitive abilities, and being involved in the community. Maintaining meaningful activities, keeping in touch with friends, family and the community, learning to adapt to new changes that will occur as they get older, and being able to keep as much impendence as they can.
b. Self-concept and self-esteem are generally established early in life, but are modified through social roles and interaction and life experiences. Discuss some experiences of the later years that may negatively influence an old person’s self-concept and self-esteem. What might be ways to boost older persons’ self- concept and self-esteem? As they get older, older adults sometimes feel like they are cut off from the world and they may experience role loss and they may feel like no one is concerned about them and this can negatively influence their self-esteem or their self-concept. One way to improve an older person’s self-esteem is to try to get them to be more socially involved. People who have strong relationships with others tend to have high self-esteem. Also, you could make them feel not completely dependent on someone else to care for them. As people become older they feel they have lost their independence possibly due to loss of cognitive abilities or not being able to physically care for themselves anymore and this can possibly cause depression and loss of self-concept.
C. In what ways is depression manifested in older people? What types of depression are most common in this age group and which therapeutic interventions appear to be most successful in treating these forms of late life depression? Depression is often undiagnosed in the elderly because it is displayed as loss of appetite, being withdrawn or having problems with remembering things and all these signs mimic the symptoms of aging and that is often why depression is often undiagnosed in older people. Unipolar depression is the most common type of depression found in older people. Antidepressants are a common form of treatment for depression as well as therapy to help with the depression. There are three types of therapy that are recognized as effective way to help treat depression and they are; reminiscence therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and problem solving therapy.
d. Why is it important that more funding and focus are put into the early diagnosis, treatments, and medications for Alzheimer’s Disease? According to the AD website: http://www.alz.org , what are 4 risk factors or causes found for the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. Most people with Alzheimer’s are 65 or older and with the number of baby boomers aging the number of people expected to develop Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase significantly over the years. The four risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease are age, family history and genetics (the risk gene and the deterministic gene).
