Literature Review on the Old People - Essay Example

? Literature Review on the Old People Literature Review Introduction Most countries are increasingly becoming concernedwith promoting the wellbeing of the old, particularly on health matters. This paper focuses on literature review of physiological, psychological and sociological characteristics of the old people particularly those aged above 60 years. Additionally, the paper will discuss the current health and activity status, governments and community support on the olds well-being as well as the factors considered when designing physical activity programs for the old people. Physiological Characteristics As people age their body activities change and physiological aspects such as heart rate and blood pressure are altered. According to Gupta (2012), the systolic BP as well as the heart rate of old people is higher as compared to their counterparts who are in pre-retirement age. He attributes the above physiological characteristics to increased stress, anxiety, and depression amongst the old people. He argues that participation in cognitive activities could help old people counterweigh the physiological factors. Rockwood, Mitnitski and Rockwood (2010), did a research to test if deficit accumulation leads to loss of redundancy. They tested the relationship between age and FI-CGA. They found out that deficit accumulation decreases with increasing frailty, a state of helplessness arising due to old age. Nelson et al (2007) posit that the older people require to be engaged in exercise to improve their health as they age. Their report argues that America incurs a lot of cost treating the old people of diseases resulting from inactivity. They thus recommend inclusion of exercise programs for the old to help offset ailments such as cardiovascular complications, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancers such as of colon and breast. Additionally they argue that exercise helps reduce stress and depression, which trigger other diseases. Psychological Characteristics Loneliness, which is a common aspect characterizing the life of most old people is a major cause of many psychological as well as physiological problems. In most cases, loneliness contributes to depression, which is associated with declined cognitive capability particularly among the old people. Luanaigh & Lawlor (2008) suggest the need for research on possible interventions that could be used to decrease loneliness amongst the old. Dozeman et al (2009) suggest that old people, particularly those above 75 years are more vulnerable to depression. Their study on the prevalence of depressive symptoms across different ages showed that clinically related depressive symptoms are considerably high amongst the old people. They claim that such depressive symptoms are disadvantageous because they lead to reduced quality of life and make the old persons vulnerable to other conditions such as dysthymia. Sociological Characteristics According to Eliutina (2012), the problems faced by the old couples have received minimal attention by researchers. Their study showed that the number of old couples has decreased rapidly over the recent past due to increased death rate of men. After the death of their spouses, few widows choose to remarry due to fear of divorce. Additionally, the study revealed that old couples are often despised by the society and are given minimal attention. The old thus end up suffering of depression. The old couples are also likely to face individual differences among themselves, which call for the need for sociopsychological support programs to help the old people. Since most old people suffer from physiological as well as psychological problems, there is need for establishment of social programs such as physical fitness programs to aid the old persons in the society (Meadows, Marechal & Catalan, 1998). Current Health and Activity Status When people get older, they become frail and dependent. Gurina, Frolova & Degryse (2011) categorize the health problems facing the old people. They found out that a considerable number of the old people in Russia suffer from health defects such as vision, incontinence, as well as depression. Their findings showed the need for the government to set aside more resources to aid in helping the old persons suffering from different defects. A study by Zhao et al (2011) on the prevalence of Diabetes Merits among the old people showed that most of the old people with diabetes have been recommended for physical activity. The American Diabetes Association has recommended physical exercise mainly to persons with diabetes and those prove to it such as the obese. However, a considerable number of them do not participate in the recommended exercises. Additionally, the study findings demonstrated a rapid increase in Diabetes Mellitus and obesity over the recent past. However, Zhao et al (2011) recommended the need for the United States government to boost the participation of the old persons, particularly those with Diabetes mellitus, in physical activities. Additionally the report suggested the need for further education about lifestyle issues amongst the Diabetic persons. According to a study by McDonald & Hertz (2007), technological developments, particularly in the field of medicine have increased the life expectancy for both men and women. Men can now live for approximately 81.4 years while women can live for about 84.8 years, which resulted in an increment in, the number of old people in the society. As people grow old, they become more vulnerable to diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, as well as cancer. Currently the highest number of old people in US, those above 65 year, are enrolled for Medicare, which has resulted in, increased expenditure. Maintaining high quality life is one of the factors that enable the older people to live longer. Other factors that can enable the old to live longer are motivation and encouragement to participate in social, intellectual, as well as physical activities. This measure would help curb ailments such as obesity, hypertension, cancer as well as cardiovascular disorder, the main causes of early deaths amongst the old Pascucci (2012.) Arthritis, a major cause of disability amongst the old people aged above 65 years is mainly a consequence of lack of knowledge on the way to prevent its occurrence. Additionally, arthritis increases the chances of other conditions such as obesity due to the inability to exercise on the affected persons. Arthritis is expected to increase the number of dependent persons in United State and is thus being considered a threat to public health (Hootman, Helmock & Brady, 2012). Governments and Community Programs Supporting the Well-Being of the Aged There has been a considerable increase in the number of aged persons in the society, particularly due to improved technology hence treatment. It is thus crucial for the government as well as the society to come up with strategies to improve the living conditions for the old persons. Mackean & Abbott-Chapman (2012), did a study and found out that peer run community organization are capable of stimulating activities that would enable the old people cope with old age ailments and difficulties. Old people who join these organizations experience mutual support as well as companionship, which is crucial in fostering their wellbeing. In Australia, the families of aging person face the challenge of having to bear the burden of paying all the medical costs. This is because the government policies do not fully cater for the needs of the aging. However, it is crucial for government and the society to participate in managing the old in the society (Mackean & Abbort, 2012). The increased life expectancy has resulted in extension of the retirement age, which forces some to work in the initial stages of old age. It is thus important to come up with strategies to support such individuals to make their working experience bearable. In Canada, the government has already established some programs that are currently being used to improve the welfare of the old but still working persons. Such programs include job search interventions as well as income support programs (Rogers & Rourke, 2006). Factors to Consider When Designing Physical Activity Programs For the Old People The old population is characterized by individuals with different needs hence it is important to consider certain factors when coming up with the appropriate physical activity program. Physical activity is associated with enhanced quality of life amongst the old people. The physical activity program should include activities that enable self-efficacy among the old people to enhance the quality of life (White, Wojcicki & McAuley, 2009). Another factor that should be considered is the ability of the activity to influence cognitive abilities among the old. This is because most people tend to loss memory or demonstrate declined cognitive capability, as they grow old. Activities that can help improve efficiency of cognitive capability include socialization and other activities that encourage thinking (Simone, 2009). Another factor is the health benefit of the exercise activity. This is taking into account the possible harm that could result due to participation in certain activity by the old persons. The old people tend to be fragile and are likely to fall and get fracture easily. It is thus important to ensure the physical activities are safe for the different groups of old people (Rubenstein, 2006). Additionally, the physical activities should be rewarding in that they should provide psychological as well as emotional satisfaction to the old persons. This could be by improving the physical appearance of the persons to make the old people yearn for the physical activities (Burns, Baldwin & Dening, 2001). Conclusion As people grow old, they become frail and more vulnerable to diseases, particularly lifestyle related diseases. There is thus need for them to be involved in physical activities to prevent disorders such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. The number of old people recommended for physical activities is quite high but not all participate. There is thus need for government and community interventions to ensure that the old participate in physical activities hence reduce the unnecessary cost incurred in treatment. The physical activities developed for the old should be safe and of benefit to the old. References Burns, A., Dening, T., & Baldwin, R., (2001). Care of older people: Mental Health Problems [Electronic ......version]. British Medical Journal, 7(9), 789-791. Dozeman, E., van Marwijk, H. J., van Schaik, D. F., Stek, M. L., van der Horst, H. E., Beekman, A. F., & van Hout, H. P. (2010). High incidence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in vulnerable persons of 75 years or older living in the community. Aging & Mental Health, 14(7), 828-833. doi:10.1080/13607861003781817 Eliutina, M. E. (2012). Marital Relationships in Old Age. Sociological Research, 51(1), 32-51. Gupta, U. (2012). Ageing and Psychophysiological Health. Indian Journal Of Gerontology, 26(3), 424-436. Gurina, N. A., Frolova, E. V., & Degryse, J. M. (2011). A Roadmap of Aging in Russia: The Prevalence of Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the St. Petersburg District-The 'Crystal' Study. Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, 59(6), 980-988. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03448.x Hootman, J. M., Helmick, C. G., & Brady, T. J. (2012). A Public Health Approach to Addressing Arthritis in Older Adults: The Most Common Cause of Disability. American Journal of Public Health, 102(3), 426-433. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300423 Luanaigh, C., & Lawlor, B. A. (2008). Loneliness and the health of older people. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(12), 1213-1221. Mackean, R., & Abbott-Chapman, J. (2012). Older people's perceived health and wellbeing: The contribution of peer-run community-based organizations. Health Sociology Review, 21(1), 47-57. McDonald, M., & Hertz, R., (2007). The health status of older adults. USA: U.S. Pharmaceuticals Meadows, J., Marechal, K., & Catalan, J., (1998).Mental health problems in older adults with HIV referred to a psychological medicine unit [Electronic version]. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology 10(2), 105-112. Nelson, M., Rejeski, J., Blair, S., Duncan, P., Judge, J., King, A., Macera, C., & Castaneda-Sceppa, C., (2007). Physical activity and public health in older adults [Electronic version]. Journal of the American Heart Association, 116(9), 1094-1105. Pascucci, M., Chu, N., & Leasure, A. (2012). Health promotion for the oldest of old people. Nursing Older People, 24(3), 22-28. Rockwood, K., Rockwood, M. H., & Mitnitski, A. (2010). Physiological Redundancy in Older Adults in Relation to the Change with Age in the Slope of a Frailty Index. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 58(2), 318-323. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02667.x Rogers, M., & O’Rourke, M., (2001). Health, job loss, and programs for older workers in Canada [Electronic version]. Gerontology Research Centre and Programs, 16(22), 26-34. Rubenstien, L., (2006). Falls in older people: epidemiology, risk factors, and strategies for prevention [Electronic version]. Oxford Journals, 35-52. Simone, P. M., & Haas, A. L. (2009). Cognition and Leisure Time Activities of Older Adults. LLI Review, 422-28. Zhao, G., Ford, E. S., Li, C., & Balluz, L. S. (2011). Physical Activity in U.S. Older Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: Prevalence and Correlates of Meeting Physical Activity Recommendations. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 59(1), 132-137. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03236.x Read More