Working with Older People - Case Study Example

Working with Older People Table of Contents Introduction 3 The Issues Faced By Older People in Society And In Relation To Health and Social Care 4 Demographic Changes Impact on Health and Social Policy 5 Exploration of Theories Relating To Later Life In Relation To Sociology, Psychology and Biological Changes 7 Theories of Later Life Impact on Identified Patient 9 Conclusion 12 References 13 Bibliography 16 Introduction Britain has been a country which has witnessed population ageing, as there has been a faster rise in the group of older people. This gives an understanding that the total number of general public in the society with health care requirements has grown. The older group is considered to be the biggest contributors and customers of the healthcare services (GOV.UK, n.d.). However, it has been observed that healthcare services are critical for older group of people as the ageing process develops the requirement of various medical treatments and health care supports. Older people in their life time contribute to the services of funding which include insurance, taxation and other mechanisms of funding with an expectation that their healthcare requirement will be met. Yet, there have been various kinds of problems that this group of people face in experiencing the services related to social care and health. Moreover, the older group of people get familiar to discrimination in accessing the services that are related to healthcare as they are expected to wait for a longer time and experience quality of service that is lower in level compared to the younger group of people. It has also been observed that older people are most often excluded from medical trials (European Commission, 2004). This has affected the medication for older people owing o the fact that there is no trial for medication as this aged group needs to get adapted to their specific requirements. This study reveals the issues and complications faced by the older aged group in relation to health and social care services. The Issues Faced By Older People in Society And In Relation To Health and Social Care The principles for older people stated by United Nations (UN) highlights the fact that aged group of people should be ensured of living in dignity along with freedom from mental and physical abuse. However, in the United Kingdom (UK) there is estimation that above 500,000 are subjected to abuse at any point of time. There are various examples that are related to abusive and neglected acts done to older people which include ignoring calls asked for help, dehydration and malnutrition, uncomfortable beds, improper food facility, poor hygienic rooms with unchanged bed sheets, excessive physical limits, psychological, physical and sexual abuse and attitudes such as infantilising, mistreatment and patronising. Moreover, the older people are abused severely that may breach the prohibition on degrading treatment or inhuman activities. In addition, there are certain extreme cases in which issues involving right to respect for personal life and right to psychological and physical wellbeing may arise for aged people. There are also situations when there is a breach of the right to life which includes neglecting and abusive acts that might lead to the death of the individual involved. The most generally known fact in social and health care services is elder abuse. It is worth mentioning that older people are subjected to abuse and neglect in various other contexts which include in homes, by friends and family members, immigration services and in prison. Furthermore, there is a varied range of initiatives, guidance, papers and toolkits about dignity in health care, despite this there is evidence that aged people are frequently experiencing a deficiency of dignity in social and health care context. Aged group of people have various requirements for care such as mobility assistance, general care in the house and personal care assistance. There are cases where older people are discharged from hospitals even if they are unwell which may elevate an issue under right to life. In order to control the actions of older patients with dementia there is an over usage of anti-psychotic and sedative drugs which is an inappropriate process of medication as it increases the risk of stroke. There have also been situations where older people’s lifesaving treatment has been kept on hold if in case there is a suspicion of abusive and neglected acts in their respective houses. Moreover, there are instances where older people’s medical information and records are publically disclosed and sensitive information being discussed openly where other staff and patient can eavesdrop on along with withholding information by the health care staff without any valid reason (British Institute of Human Rights, 2011). Demographic Changes Impact on Health and Social Policy It has been observed that the general population of England has increased from 41 million people in the year 1951 to 53 million people in the year 2013 and according to the estimation by the year 2032, the population will increase to 61 million. In addition, it has been recognised that there is an increase in longevity of life for the older portion of people due to the various implications of improved health care services. The aged population has an increase in demand for the use of health care services (Ham & et. al., 2012). “Life Expectancy, Self-Reported Healthy Life Expectancy and Years of Ill Health in People Aged 65, England, 1981-2006” (Ham & et. al., 2012) The demographic changes have had implications on the public policy and planning of infrastructure. This includes a requirement for accommodation which is designed to be adopted for a diverse group of population that comprises older people having disabilities. These changes led to the introduction of new monitoring systems for health that ensure proper delivery of services related to health care which will augment the demand for therapies and treatments that are related with later life. The need for social care has grown and unpaid carers provide a range of crucial services required for social and health care which include personal assistants, telecare, home care and other services that are community based (Buckner & et. al., 2013). With regard to the laid down legislations, NHS and Community Care Act 1990 facilitates to protect susceptible adults. The local authorities are needed to continuously undertake an assessment of the people in need so that adequate care can be provided to them through verifying their eligibility (Social Care Institute For Excellence, 2006). Exploration of Theories Relating To Later Life In Relation To Sociology, Psychology and Biological Changes It has been observed in the concerned case that Mr Desmond Peters’ wife Sylvia who was 68 years old had increasing memory problems and was suffering from hypertension for years. She was using medicines and it appeared that she was in the early phases of vascular dementia. Then, they consulted a social worker who advised Mr Peters about Alzheimers Society which could provide support to her illness. However, he thought that Alzheimers Society was for those people who were suffering from serious problems. Later, the social worker stressed that a General Practitioner (GP) would be required for speaking to Sylvia regarding her diagnosis and how it can be controlled. However, in the next visit, when the social worker tried to question about her memory problems Sylvia was unwilling to discuss anything about it. Nonetheless, it would be significant for the social worker to separately work with Mrs Peters to address her needs. In addition, long-term support was given by Admiral nurse and psychiatric nurse of the community that focused on both Mr and Mrs Peters. In this situation, the social worker was pressurised to close the case that referred them to various services that could support them. Nevertheless, the social worker provided information regarding the care services that could be prearranged if necessary, because of which Mr Peters felt comfortable to approach the department again if in case Mrs Peters needed any assistance (Social Care Institute For Excellence, 2006). There are three approaches to mental illness that are developed which include sociological, psychological and biological theories. The sociological theory of mental illness defines what normal and abnormal actions in the society are and how these social surroundings are more or less likely to result in psychiatric disorders. There are several sociological concepts of mental illness. The most essential ones are perspectives of coping and stress, collective mobilisation and labelling (Scheid, 1999). Moreover, mental illness is a consequence of social structure and pressure that is given to an individual. It has been observed that if a person suffers a difficult childhood, inadequate education and has no prospect for employment in life, it might lead to an involvement of the person in drugs and alcohol that may make the person to suffer from mental illness (EmbracingAging.com, 2014). In the recent years, psychological theories of mental illness have been broadly known. It refers to the issues regarding to the potential effects of life experience that impact the mental well-being of an individual which involves sexual abuse in childhood, assault, bad experience of relationship with parents, bullying and other minor and major personal experiences. Besides, it is considered that life events generally contribute to mental illness. For instance, there are certain biological and psychological factors that cause hallucination. There are some people who argue that hallucination is a psychological phenomenon, however according to the analysis hallucinations are not only caused through psychological factors but also through processes. It is inevitable that hearing ethereal voices is the misattribution of the origin of precepts’ which is a psychological process. It is worth mentioning that biological aspects influence mental illness through its impact on psychological factors. It has been argued that psychological factors play a vital role in mental illness that arises through disruption or commotion of psychological process which gives an understanding that disadvantageous social circumstances of living can definitely lead to teething troubles such as depression. Consequently, it can be stated that depression is a direct result of disturbance and disruption in psychological processes (Kinderman, 2005; National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). There are certain biological factors that affect a person’s mental well-being. It includes hereditary and genetic temperaments that could escalate the risk of physical injuries, vitamin deficiencies or diet problems, trauma suffered at the time of pregnancy, mental illness issues and diseases and infections that involve symptoms which can increase the possibility of mental disorder. Genetic temperaments are passed over families where certain members of the family are suffering from mental illness. Head injury can lead to mental problems, if certain parts of the brain are physically damaged which can change the person completely. There have been cases where the entire personality of the person has changed in which the ability to do certain tasks has been reduced after suffering a head injury. Trauma suffered at the time of injury can include lack of oxygen or other problems at the time of giving birth that leads to problems relating to mental health after life (Mental Health, 2009). Theories of Later Life Impact on Identified Patient The aforesaid theories reveal that they have a huge impact on the patient as these sociological, psychological and biological factors directly influence the mental well-being of the patient. This includes sociological theories developed over the years pertaining to the mental illness (Dementia) suffered by a person. In this regard, sociological theory propounded by Durkheim, known as anomie theory is widely accepted. According to the theory, a person suffering from mental illness such as dementia may experience social exclusion which may ultimately result in creating an increased level of strain. Based on this theoretical assumption, it is possible that Sylvia, who is a 68 years old women suffering from vascular dementia may face an increased level of stress in her later life because of which she might develop a tendency to commit a suicidal activity (Mental Health Foundation, n.d.). Furthermore, psychological theories state that Sylvia might be suffering from dementia due to disturbance or disruptions in the psychological aspect she had gone through. This gives an understanding that due to inappropriate social circumstances and work experiences she might be having that problem because of which she often gets frustrated. In addition, biological factors also might have directly impacted Sylvia which involves injury or other issues that lead to sudden stroke and hypertension as it is considered that these factors can make a person suffer from dementia. National Service Framework (NSF) is a body that initiates standards for caring older individuals for all aspects of health and care. It focuses on aspects that are very significant for older people as the services and standards are applied to those who require them irrespective of the chronological age. The framework also takes into account the design of the ward for the patient so that their movement in the ward is safe and states that the care of people has to be provided under the framework of Care Programme Approach. Within this framework, high qualitative evidence-based care is to be provided for the people suffering from depression or dementia (Crown, n.d.). According to Data Protection Act 1998, the personal information can be accessed that is subjected under certain exemptions wherein the service users are allowed to access the information for the case records. In this context, it might be applicable for Desmond Peters, husband of Sylvia to access the information that has the requirement to be accessed (Social Care Institute For Excellence, 2006). Conclusion Thus, it can be concluded that there is a rise in the old aged group of people in the periphery of the United Kingdom because of which the requirement for health care has increased. The older age group population is acknowledged to possess the utmost requirement of health care services thereby they have emerged as the highest contributors. However, there are various issues that the older group of people have been facing in relation to health and social care. In addition, demographic changes have had implications on the social and health care policies along with infrastructures. Moreover, there are theories that include the sociological, psychological and biological models that have a direct impact on the well-being of an individual. Correspondingly, in relation to the concerned case study, the patient i.e. Sylvia had to endure profound suffering from dementia due to certain psychological imbalances. Therefore, she requires specific monitoring and support from healthcare professionals to alleviate her sufferings. References British Institute of Human Rights, 2011. Human Rights Issues Affecting Older People In The UK. Older People and Human Rights. [Online] Available at: http://www.bihr.org.uk/sites/default/files/Older_People_Human_Rights__Expert_series_pro.pdf [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Buckner, L. & et. al., 2013. Introduction. The Impact of Demographic Change On The Insfrastructure Of Housing, Health And Social Care In The North Of England. [Online] Available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12061-013-9090-y#page-2 [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Crown, No Date. The Scope of the NSF. National Service Framework – For Older People. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/198033/National_Service_Framework_for_Older_People.pdf [Accessed January 31, 2014]. European Commission, 2004. Health Care Services. Age Barriers: Older People’s Experience Of Discrimination In Access To Goods, Facilities And Services. [Online] Available at: http://www.age-platform.eu/images/stories/AGE_doc_goods_and_services_2_Dec_2004.pdf [Accessed January 31, 2014]. EmbracingAging.com, 2014. Facing Mental Illness In Older Adults. Mental Health Issues For Aging. [Online] Available at: http://www.embracingaging.com/?Page=3472%7CFacing+mental+illness+in+older+adults [Accessed January 31, 2014]. GOV.UK, No Date. National Service Framework For Older People. National Service Frameworks and Strategies. [Online] Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/NSF/pages/Olderpeople.aspx [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Ham, C. & et. al., 2012. Demographic Changes. The Drivers of Change. [Online] Available at: http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/files/kf/field/field_publication_file/transforming-the-delivery-of-health-and-social-care-the-kings-fund-sep-2012.pdf [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Kinderman, P., 2005. The Psychological Consequences of Biological Abnormalities. A Psychological Model of Mental Disorder. [Online] Available at: http://research-archive.liv.ac.uk/447/2/Kinderman_2005_A_psychological_model_of_mental_disorder_preprint.pdf [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Mental Health, 2009. Biological Factors. Causes Of Mental Illness. [Online] Available at: http://www.mentalhealth-jami.org.uk/causes-of-mental-illness/ [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Mental Health Foundation, No Date. Mental Health In Later Life. Help & Information. [Online] Available at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-a-z/O/older-people/ [Accessed January 31, 2014]. National Institute of Mental Health, No Date. Depression. Older Adults And Mental Health. [Online] Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults-and-mental-health/index.shtml [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Scheid, T. L., 1999. A Handbook for the Study of Mental Health: Social Contexts, Theories, and Systems. Cambridge University Press. Social Care Institute For Excellence, 2006. Other Relevant Legislation. Adults’ Services. [Online] Available at: http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/guides/guide03/files/guide03.pdf [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Bibliography European Communities, 2008. The Challenge of the EU Demographic Change. Mental Health in Older People. [Online] Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/mental/docs/consensus_older_en.pdf [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Joint Commissioning Panel for Mental Health, 2013. What Are Older People’s Mental Health Services? Guidance for Commissioners of Older People’s Mental Health Services. [Online] Available at: http://www.helplines.org/uploads/1/1/2/5/11258169/jcpmh-olderpeople-guide.pdf [Accessed January 31, 2014]. Read More