Human Growth and Development- Aging - Report Example

Running Head: Human Growth and Development- Aging Human Growth and Development- Aging [Institute’s Human Growth and Development- Aging Introduction Since antiquity, humans have been curious to inquire the causes of developmental and cognitive changes that occur during the last phases of a human life. It is an observation and acknowledged fact that humans confront and experience aging during their whole life, which accumulates in the last phases of life. In humans, a multidimensional process of psychological and physical changes is referred as aging. Over time, gradual changes and expansion occurs in different dimensions, whereas, some of the physical features decline. A number of researches and studies have been carried to understand the causes and factors related to aging, which can help to treat older people with more care. Until now, all human societies have given due importance to aging, and thus, it is very important that it should be discussed in detail. However, it is indicated by experts that a number of social and cultural factors affect the aging, and it is not necessary that results of a study carried out in the United States would be similar to results of the study carried out in European countries. In brief, this paper will discuss some of the developmental and cognitive changes related to aging that occur at the age of fifty and above. Sensory Changes Vision, hearing, touch, and in brief, five senses are the true blessings that allow humans to process information from the environment. However, this process of managing information through senses diminishes gradually with aging. (Weil, 2006) In the result, friends and family often experience difficult and distorted behavior of older persons due to aging. (Moody, 2000) Overcoming of aging problems is neither easy nor impossible; however, it requires little research in the subject, which can allow the individuals to take care of older persons during their aging period. Following section of the paper will discuss some of the sensory changes that occur with aging. Hearing Statistics have indicated that a hearing impairment is used by more than thirty percent of people over the age of sixty; however, this percent increase with an increment in age, as more than fifty percent of people over the ages of eighty-five require a hearing impairment due to aging. In simple, ability of hearing while talking is affected due to hearing loss, which is one of the most common sensory changes in humans. For instance, higher pitched tones are often not grasped by older people, and environments with background noise do not allow older people to understand sounds or words clearly. In the result, a number of older people confront states of frustration and embarrassment due to hearing loss, which hold them back from conversations that may result in unsuitable comments about them. In other words, physical changes also bring emotional changes in people confronting aging during their lives. (Jacobs, 1993) Due to advancement in science and technology, a hearing-impaired person can be supported by a number of different devices. A standard phone is often comes up with special receivers having hearing aids for older people. Vision Another major effect of aging that affects humans during aging is loss of vision. Even though an individual experiences vision changes throughout his life, studies have shown that most of the older people confront problems with their vision. However, such change in vision is a very gradual process, which differs in different environments. Mostly, older people have problems in reading or watching something at a distance; whereas, a less number of older people have problem in reading or watching something near to them. In specific, reduction of peripheral vision is occurred with aging. In other words, reduction is observed in the flexibility of eye, which hinders people to see the sides. Moreover, driving at night also becomes one of the problems for people experiencing aging. This problem can be managed with modifications in lifestyles, as mentioned by the experts. Some of the experts have also associated aging with lens clouding and deterioration of eye muscles. Focusing on near objects is another problem that is confronted by older people, which can often be corrected by eyeglasses. In addition, as eye lens yellows, older people are not able to decide colors, which is another change that occurs with aging. (Moody, 2000) Taste & Smell Researches have shown that aging also results in loss in sensitivity related to taste. However, such change occurs mostly after the age of seventy, and very minor in earlier phases of human life. On the other hand, a less severe loss of smell is also confronted during aging. It is noted that favorite foods are no longer liked by older people, and meals are considered as tasteless to them, which occurs due to changes during aging. Some of the experts have indicated that meals are often taken alone by older people, which results in a state of loneliness, which is also one of the causes of such change. Touch A protective function is served by human skin that saves us from the environment. During aging, discomfort and soreness are often confronted by older persons. It is noted that older persons feel the pain way after the occurrence of skin damage by heat sources. On the other hand, a greater sensitivity to cooler temperatures is developed by an older person during aging. Sweat gland activity is reduced during aging, which results in such an increase in abovementioned sensitivity. Moreover, skin thins during aging, which is another significant cause of poorer circulation. In the result, older people confront changes like scaling, drying, as well as, wrinkling. In addition, people experiencing aging are vulnerable to injuries and infections due to easy tearing of skin. It is acknowledged that emotional well-being is very much associated with touch, and therefore, it is very imperative that older people should be communicated with use of touch that may support them emotionally. Bones & Muscles Studies have indicated that broken bones are very common in older people, especially after the ages of seventy-five. In addition, older people complain of stiffened joints, which results in loosening of elasticity. Most of the older people complain of hand and feet pain during again. Experts have so far not indicated any specific way to prevent such changes; however, older people can continue their mobility with regular exercise from earlier phases of their lives. Prevention of any falls is an important way to maintain mobility of older people; else it can result in hospitalization and health decline. Digestion Emotional state of a human being is very sensitive to the digestive system. Loneliness and depression often results in an upset stomach or lack of appetite. Physicians have indicated that digestive problems during aging can be prevented by frequent visits of family members and friends, which can help in the reduction of loneliness. Less frequent bowel movements are quite common in people with aging. In the result, most of the older people suffer from constipation. Reduction of thirst and damaged tissues are some of the significant causes of abovementioned digestive changes in older people. (Roberts, 2000) Fiber and fluid intake is mostly advised by physicians to have a well-balanced diet that can prevent constipation and encourage bowel movements. Maintenance of proper body temperature required adequate fluid intake; however, avoidance of frequent urination by limiting the fluid intake results in destruction of body temperature. In addition, aging often results in dehydration due to reduction in conservation of water in the body. Moreover, dehydration is often promoted by excessive usage of caffeine, alcohol, etc. (Weil, 2006) Conclusion A number of changes occur in the human body during the period of aging. Some organs of the body are reduced in terms of their normal activity. It is common to experience gradual changes; however, rapid changes with combination of diseases often result in a burden. In this regard, it is very imperative that older people must be regularly checked up and examined for the identification of any changes that may lead to serious health problems. Moreover, a number of problems can be prevented by effective and healthy home environment. Furthermore, experts advised that people during their earlier phases of life should start participating in regular exercises and morning walk, which will help in proper maintenance of their bodies during aging. Conclusively, paper has tried to understand and discuss different developmental and cognitive changes that occur in people experiencing aging. It is hoped that the report will be beneficial for the students, teachers, experts, and nonprofessionals in better understanding of the topic. References Andrew Weil. (2006). Healthy Aging. Bantam Books. Harry R. Moody. (2000). Aging: Concepts and Controversies. Pine Forge Press. Janis E. Jacobs. (1993). Psychology and Aging. University of Nebraska Press. Pamela Roberts. (2000). Aging. Salem Press. Read More