Processes of Ageing - Essay Example

Processes of Ageing Introduction The ageing process comprises varied accumulation of changes that occurs over time to non-living or living things. In humans, the ageing process encompasses physical, psychological and social changes as described by Oregon (2011). While some dynamics of ageing may expand, others do decline. For example, an ageing person may experience a decline in their memory capacity over time, while expanding and enhancing their knowledge and a better understanding of a wider world view. The ageing process is an inevitable occurrence for people and objects and one cannot escape from it. Nevertheless, the progression of ageing is more rapid and dramatic in some people compared to others based on an individual’s lifestyle, living environment, health and genetics as highlighted by Scharlach & Robinson (2011). With ageing processes comes with it divergent experiences and complications such chronic conditions and major health impairments in the capacity for the ageing person to function effectively and efficiently especially when performing normal chores and tasks that cannot be accomplished unaided as discussed by Whitbourne (2002). Physical changes that occur with ageing processes include physical signs of ageing, changes in the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, nervous systems, gastrointestinal systems, musculature, sexuality and the endocrine system (Scharlach & Robinson, 2011). Cognitive changes that occur during the ageing processes include changes in learning, memory and intelligence while sensory changes include changes in hearing, tasting, seeing, skin sensitivity and changes in smelling as described by Hecker et al. (2000). There are personality changes associated with the processes of ageing that include changes in personality and personality stability (Scharlach & Robinson, 2011). Since the ageing processes do generate varied complications and issues, there are divergent resources that are essential to ensuring the problems associated with ageing are adequately and appropriately addressed (Oregon. 2011). This report therefore, seeks to explicitly identify resources that are available regarding the processes of aging and developing a critical discussion of these resources in terms of their content and usefulness. Resources available regarding the process of ageing Available resources linked to the process of aging are meant to fully cover all aspects of an aging individual in relation to the physiological, psychological, social and spiritual perspectives as mentioned by Masoro & Austad (2006). The lifespan development stages that defines the ageing process transits from infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood and the late adulthood. Among available resources regarding the process of aging include Nutritional resources Human beings especially, depend on proper nutrition to not only keep alive, but also, sufficiently supply the body with sufficient nutrients to nourish the body and provision it with adequate energy to carry out tasks. Nutrition during the ageing processes is very important in ensuring the body cells and major organs are sufficiently supplied for with adequate nutrients to help the entire body systems function optimally and are able to effectively and efficiently safeguard against foreign attack such as pathogens and germs (Masoro & Austad, 2006). A nutritious diet consists of a meal that contains four essential groups of foods, which includes carbohydrates that offers the body energy, proteins that helps in renew of tissues, vitamins that offers the body’s protection and fats and oils. Indulging in unhealthy diets have severe consequences as an individual ages as this makes them susceptible to opportunistic infections and contracting diseases that are associated with nutrition such as Anaemia, Diabetes, Obesity, Gout, Cardiac arrests and Heart failures among others. These diseases and other related health complications are particularly difficult to cure and manage as an individual ages. Nutrition as a resource to the ageing process nourishes the physical being by ensuring changes to the body systems occur gradually and that physical signs of aging takes time to manifest, and the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, gastrointestinal, musculature and their endocrine systems function effectively and efficiently regardless of the aging processes taking place as discussed by Whitbourne (2002). Proper nutrition as a resource available in relation to the ageing processes cannot be over-emphasized. Proper nutrition means less vulnerability to infections and diseases for the ageing individual, efficient renew of body tissues, enhance blood and nutrient supply which is essential in slowing up ageing and ensures when one starts to age, one does not get health complications, which would make ageing a difficult, stressful and uncomfortable life development process to undergo. Proper nutrition offers some degree of assurance that aging is enjoyable and fulfilling as individuals will be able to learn, remember, heal faster, continue regular chores and tasks with minimal aid or help and go about their daily activities with ease. Nevertheless, it is important to mention that although an individual undergoing the ageing processes may be accessible and consume proper nutritious diets, one may eventually have stressful and difficult aging processes which are as a result of other causes such as environmental factors, social factors and genetic factors. There are individuals regardless of their nutrition are genetically predisposed to have complications as they undergo the aging processes as supported by Hecker et al. (2000). This is more likely if the individual has a family history of such complications, which means as this individual transits from one aging processes, the progression is flawed with problems in spite of them adhering to proper nutrition. Effective diagnosis, treatment and health care management as resources As an individual age, they become more and more prone to health issues and infections attack (Davidson et al., 2003). Although it is not a must for aging people to suffer health impairments or contract chronic diseases, more often than not, they do suffer them. Among chronic diseases that comes with aging includes heart diseases, cancer, emphysema, memory loss, broken bones, lose of their sensory systems, dementia, insomnia, Alzheimer disease and Arthritis among others as highlighted by Oregon (2011). This calls for effective and adequate diagnosis, treatment and effective management of the ailment especially for the non-curable ones. This includes access to immunizations, effective medications dental care and oral care among others as discussed by Rosdahl & Kowalski (2008). Therefore, effective diagnosis, treatment and management of health during the aging processes are an essential resource that ensures healthy aging as mentioned by Oregon (2011). Effective treatment and healthcare management ensures that the aging person is easily accessible to healthcare where and when they need it, they are able to receive proper treatment depending on what they are suffering from and they are consulted on the best methods of treatment and healthcare management plans and systems to ensure they feel needed and as a part of the healing process. By developing close interrelationships between the medical personnel, the health care givers and the aging patients, the aging persons become more acceptable of their aging condition and are co-operative in adhering to treatment (Davidson et al. 2003). Effective treatment and management of the individual as they age ensures that they do not succumb to their ailments and they are able to quickly recover and carry on their usual activities without feeling they are a burden to their family, relatives and friends. This includes managing their mental health (Oregon. 2011). Effective diagnosis, treatment and management of healthcare cater for the psychological and physiological aspects of the aging person and ensure their state of mind and body systems are in good form and function as required (Whitbourne, 2002). However, effective diagnosis, treatment and management of health care as a resource available for the aging processes cannot function singly and it functions optimally with integration with other elements such as social support, mental rest, proper nutrition and economic sustainability among others. Social resources Human beings are by nature social beings whose character, identity, productivity, relationships, attitudes, perceptions, ideologies, behaviour, morals and ethics, values and performance are greatly influenced by the social groupings they belong to as supported by Ryff & Marshall (1999). From the initial stages of life development, the insights and character of an individual and their outlook, perception and view of the world is heavily influenced by the people who surround them. Therefore, social resources are not an option during the ageing processes. Social resources are generated in terms of social support and social belonging. Aging people just as other human beings in varied stages of age progression, require love, care, kindness, sympathy, empathy and social support from family, friends, neighbours, caregivers, relatives and any other people from any social grouping that they may associate themselves with. Social resources ensure the social needs of an aging individual are effectively and efficiently met (Ryff & Marshall, 1999). A strong social support system is among the surest way of giving the aging person hope and desire to live on into old age. Meeting the social needs of an individual to belong safeguards them from feeling socially isolated, lonely and depressed since they have people whom they can share their fears, joys, sadness, pains and laughs with, without the fear of being judged as indicated by Oregon (2011). Social bonds and support systems are important in generation of comfort, inspiration, motivation, encouragement and meeting the emotional needs of the person undergoing the aging process (Walsh & Crumbie, 2007). An aging person who has access to everything else but lacks in the social resources feels unfulfilled and lacks the drive to hope and finds that life lacks meaning. For the aging person, social resources can be acquired from peers in a nursing home, caregivers, healthcare givers, friends, relatives, family and from people they have things in common such as religious ideologies, hobbies and political views (Walsh & Crumbie, 2007). In addition, social resources in terms of social support is required in ensuring the aging person is accessible to proper nutrition, they are able to access effective diagnosis, treatment and management of their healthcare needs and they are helped in carrying out duties such as driving, shopping, doing laundry, cooking and sometimes bathing and feeding if they cannot be able to do so. Spiritual resources Spiritual resources just as social resources are shaped by the people one is close to and frequently relates and socializes with and is founded on a need to have hope and belief of better things to come. Through spiritual resources an individual acquires spiritual and social contentment as more often than not; spiritual resources are acquired from people with similar spiritual mindset, ideals, principles and beliefs. Spiritual affiliation is not only influenced by the social set up one is but is also influenced by culture, life experiences and personality. Spiritual resources are acquired through spiritual support and from it, an individual derives contentment, positive outlook of life, gets inspired and motivated and above all, one learns to hope for a better tomorrow and sees ageing processes as part of life and a necessary stage one has to pass through in life (Paulina, 2004). Spiritual resources are generated by reading inspirational books, religious writings such as the Bible and the Koran among others and participating and associating with spiritual groupings and institutions such as temples, churches, mosques among other places of worship. Spiritual resources satisfy spiritual, emotional and social needs required from psychological and emotional wellbeing as suggested by Oregon (2011). A strong spiritual support offers a basis for transiting aging processes swiftly and gracefully. Spiritual resources enhances one’s well being as they seek to know who they are as a person, living right and seeking counsel and help of a higher power. Spiritual resources offer comfort, calmness, saneness and helps in replenishing and refreshing the soul as indicated by Paulina (2004). As in the case in other resources, spiritual resources need the support of other resources to effectively and adequately be useful during the ageing processes. Economic resources According to Oregon (2011), economic resources are a major concern for an individual undergoing the aging process as they contemplate their financial situation now that they will not have sufficient energy or capacity to earn a living to carry out normal activities that generates an income for them. Economic resources plays a significant role in ensuring the aging individual is able to meet their basic needs such as housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and transportation. In addition, they are able to pay up their utility bills such as remaining mortgages, rents, electricity, air conditioning and water. As individual ages, their capacity to earn adequate economic resources such as income declines since they are unable to acquire new jobs and if they are able to their productivity is low since they cannot function optimally due to varied physiological and psychological changes as highlighted by Walsh & Crumbie (2007). Therefore, many aging people retire and are compelled to rely on their life savings, government aids and economic support from friends and relatives for survival as noted by Moody (2006). Access to economic resources are particularly important since lack of it leads to poor access to quality healthcare in most cases, homelessness which is damaging element for an aging person, lack of adequate basic essentials and above all, it makes the aging person become or feel as if they are a burden to others. It is important therefore, if an aging person relies on economic resources offered by others, the helping friends and relatives to ensure the self esteem of the aging person is not damaged in the process as highlighted by Oregon (2011). However, access to adequate economic resources such as money is not guarantee of healthy aging and therefore, it is important to incorporate other resources available for aging processes such as social resources, health resources, spiritual resources and nutritional resources among others. To ensure economic resources are well catered for an individual can prepare before hand for their aging process by investing in varied business and income making ventures, saving in social security funds, buying insurance premiums, pensions, reverse mortgages and taking health insurance among others (Oregon, 2011). This ensures that once the individual ages, their economic and financial needs are well taken care of and they are guaranteed a healthy, fulfilling life (Walsh & Crumbie, 2007). With sufficient economic resources, the aging person can easily relax, be stress free, tour and travel, do what they have never had time or money to do and have a comfortable age progression. Safety and Security as resources According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the need for safety and security comes immediately after satisfaction of the physiological needs. A need for safety influences the behaviour of a person. According to Whitbourne (2002), lack of adequate safety and security by an individual especially one undergoing the aging process leads to psychological trauma and disorders such as stress, depression, suicidal tendencies, fear, anxiety, paranoia and feelings of worry. An aging individual require safety and security as resources available for the process of aging in terms of personal safety, economic security, health security and welfare and safety against accidents and diseases and their negative implications (Oregon, 2011). Safety and security resources available for the processes of aging seeks to meet the psychological needs of an aging individual and ensures that their physiological needs are effectively catered for. This is especially so when they memory declines and the personal safety is at risk owing to the failure of their sensory systems such as hearing and seeing and brittleness of their bones upon a fall (Rosdahl & Kowalski, 2008). It is estimated that half of all the aged people who fall succumb within two years (Oregon. 2011). Safety resources therefore cannot be emphasized during the aging process. Personal safety during the aging process can be enhanced by establishing and maintaining a safe and secure environment that entails generating sufficient lighting and constructing friendly housing and accommodation (Davidson et al., 2003). This includes building wide steps, non-slippery floors, inbuilt hand rails, remove ladders, keeping common areas clean and making objects and materials at an arms reach and ensure the aging person is able to access and use the telephone in case of an emergency as noted by Oregon (2011). This can also entail offering driving services or transportation to safeguard against reckless driving caused by poor sight, fatigue and poor road use and traffic judgment. Physical activities as a resource A person undergoing the aging process is in dire need of proper nutrition coupled with regular physical activities to ensure they are in perfect shape physically and their body systems are functioning efficiently and effectively as discussed by Moody (2006). Physical activities which are acquired through exercises such as jogging, stretching, swimming, cycling, yoga and walking are among ways that the aging processes can be slowed and an individual is protected against diseases that are associated with poor eating habits and lifestyles. These diseases are among the underlying factors that quicken the aging processes and generate health complications during old age. Proper nutrition and moderate exercise for the aging person is important in enhancing a healthy aging (Davidson et al., 2003). Physical activities such as exercises helps improve performance of the musculoskeletal system, helps in improving ambulation, tone the muscles, enhances oxygen supply to the blood, improve supply of blood throughout the body and safeguards against accumulation of fats in the body, which are causes of major health complications in old age such as cardiac arrests, diabetes and heart failures. Medication During transition through age processes, medication becomes a part of life for the aging individual as they seeks to supplement their body with immunity and necessary nutrients to cure illnesses and manage and relieve pain (Oregon, 2011). Healthy transition though the processes of aging requires careful attention on the type and amount of prescriptions taken to avoid overdose or even under dosing. This is especially so for aging people with mental illness, memory losses, intense pain that may compel them to overdose or at worse be overly dependent on drugs hence drug addiction which has severe physiological, social, psychological implications. Aging people have a tendency to be on medication to safeguard against attack, treat ailments and manage pain for chronic ailments as indicated by Bigby (2004). Medication is an essential resource available for the process for aging and assists in ensuring a healthy aging. Without proper medication, it becomes hard to treat illnesses that come with aging, relieving pain that is associated with chronic diseases and minimal protection against diseases (Masoro & Austad, 2006). Early treatment and access to effective medication ensures health problems do not escalate and are efficiently and adequately contained. This ensures a longer life free of pain and stress related to illnesses. Offering help in taking prescriptions helps the aging person from experiencing the adverse side effect and possible risks of the prescriptions they are taking (Oregon, 2011). According to Oregon (2011), proper recording of medication that an aging person takes ensure effective follow-ups, treatment and management of their health. The above discussed resources available for the processes of aging are reflected on the theory of ageing. According to the theory, aging process takes places through stages across a person’s lifespan. Aging can progress effectively when the aging person adjust to deteriorating health and energy, reduced economic independence, loss of family and friends to death, different lifestyle, and adjust to emerging pleasures of getting older. The theory of aging indicates that effective aging processes occur through adequate supply of resources that takes into consideration social, physiological, spiritual and psychological perspectives. The eight resources available for the aging process namely nutrition, effective diagnosis, treatment and management of health care, social resources, spiritual resources, economic resources, physical activities, medication and safety and security meet the requirements that are needed for age progression spiritually, physiologically, psychologically and socially as suggested by the theory of aging. However, each resource does not have the capacity to fulfil all the perspectives and thus, they each require integration of all resources to ensure healthy and fulfilling aging processes. Conclusion Ageing entails accumulation of physiological, psychological, social and emotional changes that occurs over time. Different people age differently owing to their genetic make up and the environmental factors around them. The report has sought to identify varied resources available on the processes of aging and critically analyzing these resources in terms of their content and usefulness. The identified resources include nutrition, effective diagnosis, treatment and management of health care, social resources, spiritual resources, economic resources, physical activities, medication and safety and security that take into consideration an individual’s spiritual, social, psychological and physiological perspectives as suggested by the theory of aging. References Bigby, C. 2004. Ageing with a lifelong disability: A guide to practice, program, and policy issues for human services professionals. Sidney: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Davidson, P.W., Prasher, V.P., & Janicki, M.P. (2003). Mental health, intellectual disabilities, and the aging process. London: Wiley-Blackwell. Hecker, U., Dutke, S., & Sedek, G. (2000). Generative mental processes and cognitive resources: Integrative research on adaptation and control. London: Springer. Masoro, E.J., & Austad, S.N. (2006). Handbook of the biology of ageing, 6th Ed. Academic Press. San Diego, Carlifornia. Moody, H. R. (2006). Ageing: Concepts and controversies, 5th ed. California: Pine Forge Press. Oregon. (2011). Resources on caring for your aging relative or friend. Retrieved from http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/or_caregiving_workplace_guide.pdf. Accessed on 7th June 2011. Paulina, A. (2004). Transcend the aging process: Stay young through the power of your beliefs. New York: iUniverse. Rosdahl, C.B., & Kowalski, M.T. (2008). Textbook of basic nursing. Sidney: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Ryff, C.D., & Marshall, V.W. (1999). The self and society in aging processes. London: Springer Publishing Company. Scharlach, A.E., & Robinson, B. (2011). aging process. Retrieved from http://www.essaycoursework.com/coursework/aging-process.php. Accessed on 7th June 2011. Walsh, M., & Crumbie, A. 2007. Watson's clinical nursing and related sciences. Queensland: Elsevier Health Sciences. Whitbourne, S.K. (2002). The aging individual: Physical and psychological perspectives. 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