Health and Psychological Effects of Aging, Ageism - Assignment Example

Question 1

Ageism is a form of discrimination targeting older adults by people of other ages. They are stereotyped because of their age hence denied opportunities such as changing careers and promotions. Ageism leads to psychological torture among the old due to the widespread discrimination against them (WHO, 2018). For instance, they are overlooked in various jobs hence stressing them on where to get their incomes. The older adults are also marginalized in communities where some people regard them as unimportant. Some are chased away from their lands, while others are harassed and beaten by the young people. These acts leave the old in distress, which causes adverse health outcomes.

Ageism influences the level and duration of medical procedures when treating the old. In cultures where the old are highly stereotyped, they are denied quality medical care, and the treatment duration is shortened. This emanates from the belief that the old are unimportant people who are just consuming the available resources. As a result, doctors are influenced to shorten their medical procedures leading to low life expectancy (Greenwood, 2020). Besides the poor treatment procedures, the neglect from society lowers their life expectancy. Most of the older people are abandoned by their families, which leaves them without food or shelter. This makes them vulnerable to mistreatment and negative health conditions that shorten their life expectancy.

Additionally, the aged are denied an opportunity to undergo random medical checks when they are sick (Park, 2020). Older people are often faced with frequent medical problems due to their weak immune systems. Therefore, they are required to visit hospitals frequently and get medical tests. However, the stereotypic attitude brought by ageism influences others to believe that the medical challenges facing the old are normal. Some are not even taken to hospitals since it is perceived to be a waste of resources. As a result, they are nursed at home, thus worsening their medical conditions that finally leads to death.

When older adults are condemned to isolation and old age homes, their self-esteem lowers. Most of them believe that they have a real problem that is influencing others to neglect them. For instance, those who have been perceived to have memory loss end up with dementia. They adopt a lifestyle that reflects the perception of their family members and friends. As a result, their cognitive abilities lower, leading to poor decision making. Isolation of the aged exacerbates their cognitive impairment since they have no one to address their issues.

Depression is also common among older adults being stereotyped in society. Lack of pension, poor housing, and neglect from family members lead to stress that later turn out to depression (Park, 2020). Besides, there are limited opportunities for the aged to advance their careers or get promotions. Most of them are condemned to retirement to give space to the younger generation. The lack of a reliable income to support their lifestyles affects their psychic abilities and mental well-being, leading to irrational decisions. Therefore, the aged live a stressful life that is full of negative thoughts.

Ageism can be prevented by changing the conversations around societies. New positive conversations about the aged can change the public perception of older people. Educating the masses about the importance of taking good care of older adults can counter the outdated attitudes of ageism. Therefore, public awareness is one of the most effective methods of changing public conversations regarding ageism (WHO, 2018). The media can play a significant role in informing the public about the nature of ageism. Health professionals can also reduce ageism by raising awareness about the need to protect older generations' lives.

Health professionals can advance their expertise in the treatment of older people. Hospitals should create more training opportunities for medical experts taking care of the aged. As a result, most health professionals will be willing to treat the old due to their training. Additionally, medical experts can lessen ageism through public awareness. They should inform families with older people about their vulnerability to diseases. These families should also be advised on the proper ways of taking care of the elderly. Moreover, health professionals should conduct mass campaigns in societies with negative perceptions about the old (United Nations, 2016). They should also visit churches and community centers to educate the public about the need to care for the elderly.

On the other hand, the media can change the negative perceptions towards older people by creating a positive image of the aged. Media stations have been accused of portraying the aged as being helpless and unproductive. Some of the aged presenters are given small tasks hence expressing a negative message. However, media can reshape the public discourse about ageism (Donizzetti, 2019). Media stations can organize interview programs with medical professionals to educate the public about ageism. Media can also increase their coverage on issues relating to ageism. For instance, journalists can increase their coverage on the successful older adults who still run companies and engage in philanthropy. Moreover, media stations can invite older people to explain their stories and share the pain of being discriminated against. The increased knowledge of the value of the aged in society can change the negative perceptions against them.

Question 2

One of the objectives set by HP2020 is to lower the rate of emergency department (ED) visits caused by falls among older people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13% of the ED patients aged 60 and above were related to unintentional falls in 2014-2017 (Ashman, Schappert, & Santo, 2020). The rate of visits increased with age, where 25% were patients over 90 years while 10% aged 60-69. Falls among older people are a health problem due to the risks posed to the elderly and the increased medical costs. In 2014, 29 million falls among older adults caused 7 million injuries and 27,000 deaths. Therefore, falls exposes the elderly to more health risks that can easily claim their lives.

Additionally, ED visits resulting from falls lead to costly medical procedures. Since most of the falls lead to severe injuries, the patients are hospitalized to receive personalized medical attention. For instance, head injuries are common for older patients who are vulnerable to unintentional falls. In 2015, the treatment of fatal and non-fatal falls of the elderly led to a total medical cost of $50 billion (Choi al., 2019). The high medical costs strain the public health resources, which also serve other patients. In addition, the high hospitalization rates of the elderly limit the hospital's ability to serve more people. This poses significant health challenges for medical institutions since their resources are over-utilized by the old.

HP2020 has the objective of improving the health and quality of the lifestyle of older people. It targets a 10% improvement in lowering the number of ED visits made by the elderly. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommended physical therapy and vitamin D supplementation for older people. Community-based organizations are on the frontline to protect older people from falls. Home-based exercise programs are being done on the elderly to strengthen their muscles (Gillespie et al., 2012). Hospitals are also being encouraged to engage older adults in undertaking exercises. This gives the aged confidence to stand and walk on their own hence lowering the risk of falling. Community organizations taking care of the old are also supplementing them with Vitamin D. Since muscles are strengthened by Vitamin D, the risks of older people falling lowers significantly when they get vitamin D.

Hospitals are also accelerating their screening efforts on older people. This screening targets older adults to determine their vulnerability to falls. The screening results also influence the environment where older people will be living. Those who are more vulnerable to falls are encouraged to live closely with their families and have instructors. Home modifications are also made depending on the assessment of medical experts. If health professionals foresee a great risk of unintentional falls on an older person, they recommend certain home modifications. These changes are tailored to suit the older people hence protecting them from the inherent falls that come with old age.

In Hawaii, the government has accelerated public awareness programs to educate older adults about fall prevention. The elderly are encouraged to undertake regular exercises to boost their stability. The State of Hawaii has expanded the fall prevention programs in the counties to reach a high number of people. These programs engage public workers, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers (HIPP, 2012). Moreover, the elderly are being encouraged to have numerous vision checks to boost their sight when walking. Caregivers are also being informed to make elderly homes safer. This includes modifying the arrangements of household items to suit older people.

Unintentional falls of the elderly are related to social determinants of health since it affects the safety of the elderly. Social determinants of health depend on the accessibility of health care services, social support, community-based organizations, and access to technologies (Healthy People 2020). Social support and public safety measures influence the risk of falling of older people. If the aged are offered the right social support in terms of emotional guidance, their risk of falling lowers. For instance, depression can exacerbate the risk of falling among adults due to emotional instability. However, emotional support from family members can lower their negative thoughts leading to emotional stability.

Social determinants also relate to public resources that are built to support the elderly. Public programs that provide physical therapy to the aged are important in supporting them. The public programs also offer medical support to the elderly through screening to protect them from unintentional falls. Moreover, these programs offer healthy foods to the elderly to boost their immune systems. Physical structures of buildings and homes also influence the safety of the elderly. Public places should have structures that protect the old from falling. Moreover, homes should be fitted with structures arranged in a way that safeguards the older people’s safety.

Depression is also common among older adults being stereotyped in society. Lack of pension, poor housing, and neglect from family members lead to stress that later turn out to depression (Park, 2020). Besides, there are limited opportunities for the aged to advance their careers or get promotions. Most of them are condemned to retirement to give space to the younger generation. The lack of a reliable income to support their lifestyles affects their psychic abilities and mental well-being, leading to irrational decisions. Therefore, the aged live a stressful life that is full of negative thoughts.

Ageism can be prevented by changing the conversations around societies. New positive conversations about the aged can change the public perception of older people. Educating the masses about the importance of taking good care of older adults can counter the outdated attitudes of ageism. Therefore, public awareness is one of the most effective methods of changing public conversations regarding ageism (WHO, 2018). The media can play a significant role in informing the public about the nature of ageism. Health professionals can also reduce ageism by raising awareness about the need to protect older generations' lives.

Health professionals can advance their expertise in the treatment of older people. Hospitals should create more training opportunities for medical experts taking care of the aged. As a result, most health professionals will be willing to treat the old due to their training. Additionally, medical experts can lessen ageism through public awareness. They should inform families with older people about their vulnerability to diseases. These families should also be advised on the proper ways of taking care of the elderly. Moreover, health professionals should conduct mass campaigns in societies with negative perceptions about the old (United Nations, 2016). They should also visit churches and community centers to educate the public about the need to care for the elderly.

On the other hand, the media can change the negative perceptions towards older people by creating a positive image of the aged. Media stations have been accused of portraying the aged as being helpless and unproductive. Some of the aged presenters are given small tasks hence expressing a negative message. However, media can reshape the public discourse about ageism (Donizzetti, 2019). Media stations can organize interview programs with medical professionals to educate the public about ageism. Media can also increase their coverage on issues relating to ageism. For instance, journalists can increase their coverage on the successful older adults who still run companies and engage in philanthropy. Moreover, media stations can invite older people to explain their stories and share the pain of being discriminated against. The increased knowledge of the value of the aged in society can change the negative perceptions against them.

Question 2

One of the objectives set by HP2020 is to lower the rate of emergency department (ED) visits caused by falls among older people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13% of the ED patients aged 60 and above were related to unintentional falls in 2014-2017 (Ashman, Schappert, & Santo, 2020). The rate of visits increased with age, where 25% were patients over 90 years while 10% aged 60-69. Falls among older people are a health problem due to the risks posed to the elderly and the increased medical costs. In 2014, 29 million falls among older adults caused 7 million injuries and 27,000 deaths. Therefore, falls exposes the elderly to more health risks that can easily claim their lives.

Additionally, ED visits resulting from falls lead to costly medical procedures. Since most of the falls lead to severe injuries, the patients are hospitalized to receive personalized medical attention. For instance, head injuries are common for older patients who are vulnerable to unintentional falls. Read More