Ageing can generally be described as the process of growing old and is an intricate part of the life cycle. Basically it is a multi-dimensional process and affects almost every aspect of human life. Ageing has been defined in various ways. Lemma (2014) by referring WHO (2004) report stated aging as ‘a normal biological process defined as those time-dependent, irreversible changes that lead to progressive loss of functional capacity after the point of maturity.’ These irreversible changes that the World Health Organization listed include ‘physiological, psychological and social that is progressive, decrement and irreversible, of structural and functional body organs.’
The phenomenon of aging is studied by Gerontology. Gerontology is multidisciplinary in its nature. It studies physical, mental, and social changes in people as they aged. Gerontology is a scientific study of the phenomenon of aging (Kobani, 2004). It is distinguished from geriatrics which is the branch of medicine that studies the diseases and care of the elderly person. The elderly ought to have intensive
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The very aim of social gerontology since its beginning as a discipline has been to understand and improve the lives of older adults, and to improve the problems of aging. Hence, social gerontologists are interested in the influence of cultural, political, economic and social forces and conditions on the processes of aging. Moreover, it deals with the statuses and well-being of older people. Social gerontology instigates the ways in which the older population and the diversity of the aging experience influence and are influenced by social organization, social system and social structures (N, M. Putney, &etal, 2005; Onyenemezu,
One important measure of the perception of the aging process is the manner in which aging and old age are depicted in various cultural forms. The condition of old age in primitive and prehistoric societies has been described by the folk tales and cave drawings of that have survived to the present (Fisher, 1978). Likewise, it is possible that current societal views of aging may be illuminated through the impressions created by contemporary agents of socialization. And while it is difficult to determine whether stereotypical images are derived from reality or if, if fact, such images create reality (Clark, 1980), it is possible to investigate how and to what extent certain institutions reflect various images of the aging process.
Hiller, S. M., & Barrow, G. M. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Prominent musician, Celine Dion, once said, “There’s no such thing is aging, but maturing and knowledge. It’s beautiful, I call that beauty.” To many, growing old is just a natural, beautiful part of life. It is inevitable. It is inescapable. The functionalist perspective of sociology states that the elderly perform a function in order to keep society running with ease. Functionalists focus on the disengagement theory and how people tend to disengage from society as they approach death. Symbolic interactionists focus on how environmental factors and relationships with others affect the aging experience, focusing on the activity theory and the continuity theory (Carl, 2011, p. 220). Conflict theorists focus on the discrepancies that arise between different age groups. They also focus on the economical side of aging and the issues that may arise due to an active elderly population (Carl, 2011, p. 221).
Aging is universal and it is a process that everyone has to go through. The only difference is that everyone goes through this process at their own pace influenced by factors that will be discussed later on in this paper. When we think about factors that have an influence on older adults and how their life may be affected, we must consider the different social institutions while analyzing influences from social factors, cultural factors, and personal values. Abuse to older adults, stereotyping and informal care and technological advancements that affect older adults are the three topics that will be discussed in this reflection. Furthermore, will connect the three topics I have chosen to the knowledge that I have gained from my interaction
Hooyman, N., & Kiyak, H. A. (2011). Social gerontology: A multidisciplinary perspective (9th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. (Original work published 2005)
One of the most important concerns that not only the certain region or country but the whole globe is facing with is the societal aging. Societal aging refers to the “social and demographic process that result in the aging of a population” Aging of the population would impact different aspect of social life. For instance, as the baby boomers aging, the evolvement of those generation in different community would increase. Also, the expectation of better healthcare and ethical issues around the aged people has grown (Morgan & Kunkle 2016: 6).
Successful Aging Elderly (SAE) Introduction In the elderly population most of the research carried out so far emphasizes on the functional problems and diseases. When it comes to successful aging elderly (SEA), it has been recommended that health status should be used to distinguish between elderly subgroups and disease-free people who can describe successful aging elderly (SAE). The research papers aims to describe a transitory overview of successful aging elderly research, illustrated in their chief sections: cognitive aspects, psychological and social aspects. It is proposed that future studies will unemployment an extensive demonstration of SAE, where the emphasis will be more on biological, health and cognitive perspectives.
Atchley, R. C. (1997). Social forces and aging: An introduction to social gerontology (8th ed.).
During late adulthood, which begins around 65, many changes will take place. Death, sickness, and aging are some of the things you go through. Everyone is affected at some point. Individuals deal with these changes differently. Gerontology is the science that deals with the aging process. Vision can show impairment as people age. One of the changes in vision is the loss of accommodation of the lens. Most people 65 and older have hardened eye lens and have lost elasticity if the lens. Cataracts can form and vision becomes cloudy and is significantly impaired. Glaucoma is a serious condition that causes pressure to increase within the eye and it can result in blindness. Often hearing decreases with age. The hair cells in the Corti (inner ear) can cause a decrease in hearing frequencies. The ossicles and eardrum have a decrease in the transmittance of mechanical sound waves. Due to aging many elderly people have hearing impairment. Loss of appetite from connective tissue cells replacing taste buds. Skin can become thin, dry, and inelastic as it ages and the skin can fold and wrinkle from sagging.
In an attempt to define ageing one must take in consideration the biophysiological together with the psychosocial aspects; these two aspects are intertwined.
Active ageing does not stop when elderly people retire, as they can remain active through their families, peers and communities. Active ageing aims to allow elderly people to realise and bring awareness to their own psychological, physical and mental well-being. As the goal of active ageing is the autonomy and independence of elderly people (Alexandre, Cordeiro, & Ramos, 2009). Ageing is a continuing life cycle, it is an ongoing developmental event that brings about certain changes in one’s own psychological and physical state. It is a time in one's own life where an elderly individual reminisces and reflects, basks and lives on previous accomplishments and begins to finish his life cycle.
The exclusion of older people appears to run parallel alongside the exclusion of young people in society (Holloway, 2005). Throughout the world, views on older people differ over space and time. An article by Blaikie, 1999 describes how before modern societies older people were given respect but after the establishment of modern societies older people were not given as much respect. For example, in Africa, older individuals are given vast amount of respect due to the amount of wisdom they hold as they have lived a longer life than the younger and middle-aged individuals (Pain, 2001). Compared to western societies, older people are viewed negatively as old age is associated with problems such as the high dependency on others, finance, and health problems (Pain, 2001). Older people become dependent on others as they become physically less capable to look after themselves such as the need to be place in a retirement home but also many do not work for a living after retirement and therefore need money to survive off. Older people can access money through pensions which is given by the state, however as the number of individual classified as ‘old’ increase, conflict can arise between age groups as a result (Pain, 2001). Older people are often othered and excluded throughout the western societies where it is associated to a negative aspect, however this is not always true in some societies where older people are associated to a positive
Aging, as described in the book “Evolutionary Biology of Aging” is a: “Persistent decline in the age-specific fitness components of an organism due to internal physiological deterioration” (Rose, 1991). The fact of the matter is that as human beings, and ultimately, living things, our bodies deteriorate as we advance in age and it becomes more and more noticeable to others as we grow older. What Rose was saying is that our bodies experience significant physical changes in our later years especially in the skeletal and muscular system.
Researchers have found out that the aging of cells is a result of damage in the molecules which make up the cells, such as proteins, lipids, DNA and RNA. These building blocks of our cells get damaged over time, this causes the cells to function less well. The cells in their turn build up the different tissues in the human body, therefor if these cells operate less well the entire human body will be affected by this in the form of aging.
Aged care is becoming such a huge part of our health system and society in general. It is so important that we come to an understanding on not only how it affects the community and society that we live in but the requirements that need to be met in order to care for older adults. Throughout this paper, we will discuss active ageing and the cultural, physical, economic and social well-being of older adults, as well as the affect that community as on the older population and visa-vasa. Accompanying this essay is a flyer that well be used to define active ageing, why it is important to individuals and the community. It is important to understand what active ageing is and that health is measured by more than just physical