Older Peoples Care Issues - Essay Example

?Older People Care (Social Care) Ageing is a biological process which is hardly beyond the control of human beings. The retirement age in developed countries is around 60 to 65, which is usually referred to as the beginning period of a person’s old age. According to Office of National Statistics (ONS) around “10.3 million people” (Population Ageing: Statistics para 1) in UK are of 65 years of age or above that. This is about 80% more than that of the statistics in 1951. During this period people aged between 65 years to 74 years were around 67%, and those who were 85 or more contributed 4%. Now the percentages are 51% and 14% respectively. UK’s age pattern has substantially changed over the years. According to a survey “between 1971 and 2009 the proportion of the UK population aged under 16 years decreased from 25.5 percent to 18.7 percent, while the proportion aged 75 and over increased from 4.7 percent to 7.8 percent” (Beaumont 2011). It is expected that in UK, by 2018, citizens above 65 will be more than those in the age group of 16. “ It is estimated that the number of residents aged 90 and over increased by 12 percent between 2002 and 2009, that is from 388,200 to 436,500” (Beaumont 2011). (Measuring National Well-being – Population 2012). The percentage of older women is more in UK than that of men. Due to less number of deaths there is some improvement in the statistics. As women live longer compared to men, the percentage of elderly women is more.” In 2010 there were 2.56 women over the age of 90 for every man of that age” (Population Ageing: Statistics para 2). The chances of elderly women to stay alone are more than that of men. This proportion grows with increasing age. “Among women aged 75 and over who live in private households in Great Britain, 60 percent live alone compared to 36 percent of men of the same age” (Population Ageing: Statistics 2012). Ageism is the termed used when a person thinks or has a negative feeling about aging or towards people who are old. Attitudes of society and its beliefs in the process of aging can have a significant effect on a person’s thinking about the aging process, and towards those who are getting older. It is unfortunate that older people are still discriminated in the society. Ageism could often have an effect on the options individuals are provided with, this also affect the decisions they take about these options. “Traditionally, aging has been viewed as a continual process of decline. Unfortunately, this stereotyping results in systematic discrimination that devalues senior citizens and frequently denies them equality. In his review of the attitudes toward aging shown by humor, Pal more (1986) found that elderly people were often portrayed negatively. The humor tended to focus on physical and mental losses, as well as on decreases in sexual attractiveness and drive. Jokes about older women tended to be more negative than those about older men” (Grant para 1996). Confronting the concept of ageism is effectively carried out by the enhancement of positive thinking on the process of aging. A person’s self image depends much on age, the person’s actual age and, the age which the society thinks he or she is and the age which they think they are. But this concept changes when the person reaches the retirement age. When one reaches 65, the society considers the person “useless” while the person still considers himself or herself an active and responsible member of the society. They tend to behave in a different manner.” These impressions often develop into socially acquired attitudes that affect how we deal with individuals on the basis of their age and in turn affect the stereotyped individual’s self-concept and self –esteem. What changes is not older people’s capacity to be vigorous, productive and creative. Rather, society is unwilling to see seniors as vital and active contributors far beyond traditional retirement age, and many older individuals absorb this concept into own mind sets” (The Effects of Ageism 2011). Moreover, the one who is old now, might have had a negative approach towards the older individuals when he was young. And if he continued to think the same as he grew older then he may start thinking negatively about himself as well. “Ageism is a set of beliefs relating to aging process. Ageism generates and reinforces a fear and denigration of the ageing process and stereotyping presumptions regarding competence and the need for protection. In particular ageism legitimates the use of chronological age to mark out classes of people who are systematically denied resources and opportunities that others enjoy and who suffer the consequences of such denigration ranging from well-meaning patronage to unambiguous vilification” (Clark 2009). Ageism persists in health care as well. Elderly people are provided with services which are low in standard. They are even denied some services. In some cases they are wrongly diagnosed for diseases and their illness is labeled as a result of their age. Some are denied proper medical attention because of their age. They are not involved in the decisions taken regarding their transfer on getting discharged from hospitals. Aged persons are kept away from special services. There is lack of proper resources for them to facilitate their independence. Lack of resources negatively affects the wellbeing of the mind. There are fewer preventive options for elderly people in health care. The major areas where discrimination of older people occur are - “Policies and Practices” “Systems and Structures” “Resources and Staffing” “Health promotion and Age Awareness” (Perceptions of Ageism in Health and Social Services in Ireland 2005). “National Service Framework (NSF) was established to improve services through setting national standards to drive up quality and tackle existing variations in care” (The NSF for Older people 2001). NSF for the health of the mind and heart is already out. “National Cancer Plan was published last autumn and NSF for diabetes“(The NSF for Older people 2001) will be out by the end of the year. The new programmes of NSF in future are its services for renal, services for children, and for neurological problems. Falls create severe problems like disability and even mortality in elderly people. They may be laid up with injury or fracture, and that adds to their wounds. NSF works towards the reduction of it. NSF ensures that there is reduction in falls. The one who has fallen should be treated well and rehabilitation in the proper way. As we know we have lot of aged people in the world who don’t have any support from home. They need to have their own home where they feel happy and free. For that every country has care homes that take care of the elderly people. But building care homes is a huge responsibility. We need to see how we arranged the facilities, so that the needs of the elderly people are satisfied and they are content. Older people could fall any time and that can cause them disability. People aged above 75 years have serious issue of falling. It can even lead to death. Complaints about falls create negative publicity. The first few weeks in a new home may reduce confidence, and it may even increase the risk of falling for residents, irrespective of their age. Managers of care homes are responsible for managing risks caused by of falls. They can reduce the risk of falls and injuries through effective policies, with the service of trained staff and by organizing “health campaigns” (Call for Better Care After Falls is Welcomed 2011). They should follow national care standards and they also need to take adequate measures in managing their resources effectively. The support staff plays an important role in reducing the risk of falling. They can provide more attention at night and at early morning hours. They can provide one to one training for residents on moving safely between chair and bed. They help individuals by giving some exercise schedules. “Exercise” (Prevent Falls 2012) increase leg strength and improves balance, and gradually become more challenging. External trainers provide regular armchair exercise in homes. “Physical activity can go a long way toward fall prevention” (Health Aging 2010). Such activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility. Physical therapist can be appointed to conduct regular exercise program. “Poorly fitting shoes or slippers and poor foot health contribute to risks of falling” (Managing the Risk and Effect of Falls among Older people in Care Home 2004). Shoes with good traction promote stability and stop slips. Many a times elderly people are not given proper medical care .Their age becomes a barrier for them in getting sufficient treatment. The doctors care less for them, and their illness is often predicted as an outcome of their age. This even leads to wrong diagnosis. “It’s been described as the most frequent error in medicine, and it’s one that affects half of all patients who are 65 years and older. Only around 50 per cent of older patients get the specialist care and treatment that their family doctor had wanted them to have, a new study has discovered” (The Most Common Error in Medicine – and It Happens to Half of all Elderly Patient 2010). In some cases doctors diagnosed elderly patients with incontinence even if they have some urinary infection. “Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)” Research reveals that health is not being properly looked after in the care homes (Stevenson n.d). It revealed that some elderly people were in the home care beds unchecked for hours. Some beds were soiled and dirty yet they were not cleaned. Some people were not washed and they were not helped to have their food and water. The careless attitude of the concerned authorities might be the outcome of lack of resources. “The biggest threat to the human rights of older people receiving care at home is from cuts to adult social care budgets and it is very unclear whether tightening eligibility criteria to care will allow local authorities to continue to meet their human rights obligations” (Stevenson n.d). The research indicates that the staffs were not aware of the fact that they needed training. The standards were low. There were reports about mistreatment from the staff. “It comes in the wake of revelations about a private hospital near Bristol, Winterbourne, where nurses face allegations that they physically and verbally abused patients” (Stevenson n.d). Theories of Aging: Biological Approach The DNA plays a major role in a person’s aging process. It reproduces itself, as a result of which some error occurs. According to a theory the formation of this error over the years leads to problems in the proteins production. Which are essential for living? This in turn affects the brain and other parts of the body like heart and liver adversely. “Other biological approaches focus on metabolism rate. If physical decline associated with aging is a function of metabolism rate, then we should be able to extend our lives by slowing our metabolism rate and such effects have been shown in some creatures” (Perspective on Aging 2007). Psychological Approach – This theory focuses on memory and loss of memory which happen when people tend to get older. Evidence suggests that memory does have an impact on age.” The second area of decline is that suggested by disengagement theory. This theory suggested that older adults disengage from society and their social networks as they approach death. This increasing isolation in older adults was suggested to be functional for older people and those around them” (Perspective on Aging 2007). Sociological Approach – This theory focuses on different issues of ageing one being modernization. It studies the influence of changes in the society on aging. “Evidence for this can be seen in some traditional cultures where traditionally older adults live with their family members. With a move to city living there is less space in children’s homes and the extended family living structure has broken down” (Perspective on Aging 2007 ). The other theory being Social stratification theory “concerns itself with the ways in which age like gender and, serves as an organizing principle for social life” (Perspective on Aging 2007). Conclusion: Old age presents one with different challenges, as it is an important phase of life. Ageism could be tackled only through proper understanding of the needs of older people. Even their emotional need is to be fulfilled along with their physical needs. One should respect the older ones and behave kindly to them. They should be treated with dignity, bearing in mind the fact that they were dignified people in the past. Awareness programs should be conducted to handle the issue, as this is a burning problem all over the world. Aging above 70 was not a serious issue in the society until few years ago. This could be expected more in future as a large number of populations in the world would be of this age group. We haven’t bothered to adjust with this reality yet. The research discussed many issues including the different approaches to aging. This helped us to understand the theories related to aging. It highlights the concerns of elderly people in the care homes. It has also raised issues like abuse of older people, and gender structure of age. The research was beneficial in understanding the importance of the concept of age and aging process. Reference List Beaumont, Jen. Population (2011). Office for National Statistics. [Online] Available at [Accessed on 11 May 2012] Clark, Angela (2009). Ageism and Age Discrimination in Social Care in the United Kingdom. Centre for Policy on Ageing. [Online] Available at [Accessed on 11 May 2012] Call for Better Care After Falls is Welcomed (2012). National Osteoporosis Society. [Online] Available at < http://www.nos.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=311>[Accessed on 11 May 2012] Grant, D, Lynda (1996). Effects of Ageism on Individual and Health Care Providers’ Responses to Healthy Aging. Questia Journal Article. [Online] Available at. Accessed on 11 May 2012] Health Aging. Mayo Clinic. 2010. Web. 14 May 2012. [Online] Available at. < http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fall-prevention/HQ00657> Accessed on 11 May 2012] Measuring National Well-being – Population (2012). Office for National Statistics. [Online] Available at. [Accessed on 11 May 2012] Managing the Risk and Effect of fall among Older people in Care Home (2004). Help the Aged. [Online] Available at. [Accessed on 11 May 2012] Population Ageing: Statistics (2012). Library House of Commons. [Online] Available at [Accessed on 11 May 2012] Prevent Falls. Age UK. 2012. [Online] Available at < http://www.ageuk.org.uk/health-wellbeing/preventing-falls/> [Accessed on 11 May 2012] Perceptions of Ageism in Health and Social Services in Ireland (2005). National Council on Ageing and Older People. [Online] Available at [Accessed on 11 May 2012] Perspective on Aging (2007). Sagepub.com. [Online] Available at http://www.sagepub.com/upmdata/15090_Chapter1.pdf [Accessed on 11 May 2012] Stevenson, Alex (n.d). UK’s Old Age Miseries Revealed. Politics. Co. UK. [Online] Available at [Accessed on 11 May 2012] The Effects of Ageism (2011). Essortment Your Source for Knowledge. [Online] Available at< http://www.essortment.com/effects-ageism-35572.html> [Accessed on 11 May 2012] The Most Common Error in Medicine – and It Happens to Half of all Elderly Patient (2010). WDDTY. [Online] Available at < http://www.wddty.com/the-most-common-error-in-medicine-and-it-happens-to-half-of-all-elderly-patients.html>[Accessed on 11 May 2012] The NSF for Older people (2001). Department of Health. [Online] Available at [Accessed on 11 May 2012] Read More

 

Read More