Health Issues in Later Life - Essay Example

? "Module: Health Issues in Later Life" Introduction Aging is the physiological process that is governed by various parameters encompassing environmental, cultural and traditional, pathological, and positive approach. An augmentation is observed in the elderly population due to enhanced average life expectancy due to better medical facilities. This increase in life expectancy brings various psychological predicaments as a result an increase in psychological services is also observed, as elderly individuals report age-related physical as well as cognitive mutilation, various age related health hazards, Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's etc. As the average life expectancy has increased the elderly individuals contribute to a large proportion of the population and this part of population is associated with intense health care facility requirement. Demographic as well as epidemiological surveys present the result as over 85% individuals belonging to the age group above 80 years as one or more health related chronic condition while 62% of this population reports more than one health related predicament (Anderson & Horvath, 2004). The old age chronic conditions is also associated with psychological quandary and they need psychological interventions. Geropsychology is emerging as the most attention seeking discipline of psychology. An appropriate training in this field could prepare the individual to provide the elderly individuals with psychological interventions (Knight et al, 2009). Although treatment of the chronic condition takes its own course depending upon the treatment procedure, intensity of the illness, symptoms of pathological condition as well as the interventions. This also depends on the approach an elderly individual possesses in keeping the follow-up of the illness, willingness to get in better condition which is directed by the social forces that shape the characteristic features of the individual and also the process of aging. Health care professionals play vital role in defining and modulating the characters of the elderly individual. Over the decades the proliferation of the driving forces, their origin and their migration influences the thoughts and approach to the process of aging together with the interventions adopted by the individual to direct the decline related with the process of aging. The process of aging involves various categories such as normal aging process, pathological aging, successful aging process and the most prevalent in the present scenario the positive aging (Hill, 2005). These terminologies confine age related changes from multidiscipline, contributing towards an understanding of process of aging. These features define numerous parameters such as longevity, health condition of the individual as well as the quality of life together they influence the impact of health related interventions and the issues of old age. Positive Aging: A Psychological Resources Model Positive aging is derived terminology from the positive psychology and spotlight the predicaments of old age. It involves the experience that one gains in the entire life span. Individuals who are the most dexterous as well as skillful in stimulating well-being in the later stages of their lives especially in the old age paves way to optimize their welfare. The process of aging involves shift in their approach to meet and conquer age related turn down and also to safeguard their well being and happiness even in the decline phase of life where the functioning ability is reduced and one suffers a great deal of inevitable loss. The driving force of positive psychology incarcerates the elderly individuals even in the presence of this decline phase of thrashing, distress, ache, sorrow and affliction that come along with the process of aging and keep themselves in a better condition even after their eighth decade of life (Hill, 2011). Positive aging is imperative as it empowers and provide the elderly individual with the aptitude to assemble latent as well as dormant coping prospective. Positive aging is vital in providing the individual with the flexibility in thoughts, thinking manner as well as the behaviour pattern of the individual. Positive aging is a methodology that enhances the decision making way and approach that establishes personal well being in tough situations encompassing exodus from well-known activities that may perhaps no longer be likely as purpose for such approaches is irreversibly compromised. Positive psychology is essential as an confident as well as optimistic standpoint or prospective about the various associated issues in the phase of decline. Various latent procedures could be adopted to inculcate positive thinking and to approach positive aging. Under normal aging process the assets are mechanically employed to counterbalance loss. Although the biological as well as genetic changes in terms of organ redundancy cannot be challenged, but interaction counteract age-related shortages. On the other hand successful aging process involves perception of reserve capability employment for the process of learning to combat age-related alterations. Psychology of the individual plays a crucial role in defining the aging process and how the individual takes the process of aging. As psychology involves behavior as well as understanding of mind, discernment, cognition, feelings, deeds and actions carried out by an individual, positive psychology envisages the transformation in the psychological discerning from disgusting to preponderant, it becomes highly imperative for psychologist to inculcate positive psychology in the sub-conscious mind of the individual this aids in providing the power to vanguard in the management and deterrence of psychosomatic ailments (Hill, 2011). Furthermore, it is imperative to conclude the assessment and effectiveness of these practices in day-to-day life. It is imperious as the arena of positive psychology at the individual level is about positive personal experience, good fortune and gratification experienced in past, movement, pleasure, corporeal preferences and bliss witnessed by overcoming the social impact imposed by social sphere as well as environment. Positive psychology provides an outlook to recognize and present circumstances with prolific perceptions about the future-sanguinity, expectations and convictions to build a strong personality to face the decline. Such an accretion of positive individual characters encompassing love, encouragement and daring temperament provided over the years, interactive dexterity, appealing responsiveness, determination, fortitude, clemency, innovation, impending outlook, great endowment and insight enable in building strong social psychology of the elderly individual. This is highly imperative as an amalgamation of personal and social factors devise the psychological framework of an individual (Seligman, 2000). Empowering the positive psychology is more beneficial as compared to addressing weakness (Seligman, 2000). By linking individual wellness a community change can be procured and positive psychology empowers individuals, communities and society as a whole. Elderly individual should also possess the skills and strengths required to prosper and function. Certain individual differences characterize a person’s social effectiveness. Intrinsically, particular social conditions influence both individual experiences as well as potential interpersonal effectiveness (King & Hicks 2009). Psychological wellness could also be procured by the elderly by moving expectations in the phase of declining functionality. Loss incurred due to loss in capabilities could be offset by adopting alternative features, for instance if an individual is unable to drive independently then employing social resources to fulfill the task could be beneficial and also maintains the feeling of being independent this flexibility in approach is highly essential in interpreting self-independence (Hill, 2011). According to the study carried out by Strawbridge et al, (2002), elderly individuals who fail to meet the successful aging criterion sufferers of old age predicament of chronic disease and diminishing functionality; alteration in stressful situation as well as finding substitute for independent functioning and yet maintaining independence brings confidence and thereby motivates them to take the task. Such an approach could be gained and implemented only when the individual possesses positive approach in life and see aging as positive aging process. Flexibility According to Schaie (2005), flexibility could be defined as, "as an approach to cognitive problem solving that involves the dynamic manipulation of multiple solution sets to yield the best outcome in the shortest amount of time". According to Baltes et al, (1999), flexibility involves, "From a successful aging paradigm, flexibility has been characterized as a kind of plasticity or malleability that facilitates an individual's search for the conditions that encompass the upper boundary of performance". Considering positive attitude to be a behavioral therapy perspective, flexibility could be exhibited in the aptitude to reframe regular feelings, thoughts, judgment, observations and interpretations, a method to reduce their poignant contact thereby promoting adaptive coping response. Decisional ability Appropriate decision is vital for life. Inability to take right decision not only invites unforeseen troubles but also germinates frustration. Decision making ability involves evaluation of the experience and outlook of the individual. Elderly individuals can make right evaluation based on their experience, routines happenings in the life and consequences anticipated. in Britain people are familiar with "Will", a future financial plan. The decisive power of the elderly individual provides the assets to the heirs in a rightful manner to prevent future jeopardy and futile conflict over the property matters (Hill, 2005). Optimistic Viewpoint Optimistic individual remains calm, contented and happy. Such individuals strive for spreading happiness all around to eliminate stress and can accommodate anywhere, adapt themselves into any circumstances and therefore face minimum of annoyance (Keyes, 2005). Such individuals face less mental illness and do not require any kind of mental treatment and are considered as "flourishing" as they possess a good reputation in their social sphere, are successful in their career as well as personal and interpersonal relationships, moreover, such individuals possess a broader outlook and can foresee things and plan accordingly to be ahead in the race of competition. On the other hand "languishing" or experience emptiness, stagnation of thoughts, behaviour, outlook and well being. These two contrasting aspects are seen in British society and highlight the fact that movement with the positive approach enables coping mechanism to a greater extent as compared to the condition where individuals try to eliminate the symptoms. Those who do not let the symptoms of negativity germinate in their psychology and behaviour would be much more successful even in their decline phase of life. Therefore positive psychology must be practiced (Hill, 2011). Positive aging strategy framework Considering the roots of positive aging as a evocative of psychological adaptation to the inevitable consequences of late-life decline (Hill, 2011). Since the decline cannot be avoided one must accept the reduced functioning and devise the routine lifestyle instead of refuting, controlling as well as arbitrating the lifestyle. With appropriate judgment one can make shift in the routine to avail the opportunities and march ahead (Hill, 2011). Intervention strategy Besides various interventions in lifestyle and strict behaviour follow-up related to regular physical exercise, diet to check weight and fitness and to control systolic and diastolic blood pressure, incorporation of positive aging contributes to combat medical and behavioral dependent variables (Hill, 2011). Gratitude Interventions British tradition follow numerous gratitude interventions. According to Bono et al, (2004), in a positive aging, gratitude encompass powerful flexibility as it involves positive attributes and situations and this is found to be similar to CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). Forgiveness interventions Forgiveness is a kind of attitude where the practice of kindness is displayed and this attitude of elderly individuals not only brings positive aging but also eliminates psychological burden and to repair damaged relationships (Worthington, 2006) and also enables elderly to manage Chronic depression (Hebl & Enright, 1993). Such an approach provides strength to positive aging. Altruism interventions Altruism encompasses motivation and volunteerism. It is essential to adjust in the given situation and to have positive aging due to enhanced longevity (Hill, 2011). Conclusion Positive psychology is beneficial for the growth and development of the individual as it aids in building healthy family relationship, empathy, love and affection as well as displaying positive temperament in every aspect of their lives. Positive psychology not only enables them to recognize the problem or but also empowers them to tackle with the situation and eliminate distress and depression. Thus positive ageing impose multiple challenges and devise approaches for improving well-being in the later stages of life. in British society where traditions are of paramount significance it becomes imperative to maximize functioning. Strategies for coping with the biological aging process and associated illnesses and diseases are highly crucial. Strategies should be directed towards coping and adaptive methods to inculcate positive aging. The British society has more individuals who fight back the confrontations and display positive aging. 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