Aging Adults

Question 1

In a country that has the population of the elderly people at about 22% and that are distributed throughout the country, America has had its share of stereotypes in the society that focus on the elderly. The society more often than not undervalues, overlook and stereotype the elderly people. The stereotyping or discrimination against the elderly is usually based on assumptions and myths that are spread within the society. (Shepard, J. M. (2010). Elders are always viewed as unproductive and ineffective within the society. Because of their old age, their decreasing ability to work and sometimes weak bodies, they are labeled as a burden to society.

The society has also believed that the elderly people have reduced mental capacities and thus there is the need for them to live in nursing homes where they are taken care of. This is not often true as research has indicated that only about five percent of the elderly population find themselves in nursing homes while the rest choose where they want to live. Another most common stereotype is that the elderly people are financially comfortable. A majority of them depend on social security and pensions yet their expenses in life continue to rise. The society also assumes that older people are not in any way interested in sex and intimacy. Research has however found that there are a number of positive sexual relations among the elderly.

Elderly people in society are also believed to not being able to make good decisions about issues that matter. Although old age may bring about memory loss or other mental illnesses, it does not necessarily mean that all old people are poor decision makers. A good number of old people still run their own businesses and engage in activities that involve critical thinking. Also by the virtue that they have had a lot of experience throughout their lives, they are more likely to make the right decisions.

Some people in the society believe that once people live to an old age, they usually want to die. Though some old people wish for their deaths due to terminal illnesses and continued suffering, a large population of the old wish for a natural death. Also, old people may regularly talk about death as it becomes a reality to them but this does not mean that they are willing to die.

Personally, these stereotypes within the society have affected me negatively. I have become very cautious when dealing with old people because I believe they are inferior and weak. I may sometimes not consider working or engaging in social activities with the old people because I believe that they are mentally incapable of performing some duties. I have also come to have a strong belief that once someone becomes old, they have to forget about their sexual lives. It always feels weird seeing old couples expressing their love emotions towards their partners.

Question 2

Cognition refers to the wide range of activities that are carried out by the human brain which includes; thinking, perception, thinking, and reasoning, knowing analyzing, planning, remembering and synthesizing ideas. (In Watson, 2017). As s person ages, these functions of the brain tend to be affected. Basic functions of the cognitive process like perception, thinking speed, the working memory, numerical speed and encoding and decoding of new information becomes slower in older people as their brain also ages. However, when the decline of cognitive abilities become abrupt or happen at a faster rate than it is supposed to happen in normal aging, this is associated with illness that has effect on the brain such as diabetes, the Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular diseases.  

As a person ages, it is expected that the body also ages and experiences some steady changes. How the body ages depend on a person’s genetic composition regarding aging but also the lifestyle that one leads also affect how the body ages. Some of the physical changes that come with aging include: the skin becomes less elastic and drier; the hair on the scalp becomes thin because the hair pigment cells have declined in number, and the hearing ability is declined as high frequency sounds become difficult to hear. Most people in their old ages also develop vision problems as they are not able to see clearly. The bone structure in older people gradually loses some minerals thus they become less dense and weaker. (In Watson, 2017).

Question 3

Mental health treatment depending on the cause of the problem can be offered to aging patients. Some mental problems that are caused by illnesses can be treated by the administration of medicine. Sometimes doctors may recommend the use of electro conclusive therapy that stimulates the brain of the patient thus curing their mental illness. For patients whose mental problems are caused by mood disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, they receive medical counseling and therapy. (Brody & Semel, 2006).

Including the end of life conversation during the counseling and therapy sessions also help the aging patients will assist the patients to ease in into the idea that they will one day die. It also allows them to make decisions about how they would like to be treated when they are almost dying. Psychologists and therapists should take crucial considerations when addressing the end of life since it is a very sensitive issue to most people.

References

Brody, C. M., & Semel, V. G. (2006). Strategies for therapy with the elderly: Living with hope and meaning. New York, NY: Springer Pub. Co.

In Watson, R. R. (2017). Physical activity and the aging brain: Effects of exercise on neurological function.

Shepard, J. M. (2010). Sociology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.