Analyzing Major Issues of Older Adults - Essay Example

Case study of older adults al affiliation: Case study of older adults Aging is an aspect that is widely discussed under various theories, both biological and social. Aging is also described in various categories in relation to the age of the person being focused when understand different attributes of aging. Despite the ever changing and advances of molecular and genetics, there are many mysteries about the control of human life span that are yet to be unraveled. Most of the theories about aging are commonly classified under two main categories, which entails, the programmed and error theories (Aitken & Rudolph 2010). The majority of the theories that are present may subsequently interact with one another in a more complicated way. A closer analysis of an older adult gives a clear understanding the theories of aging in different perspectives. An older adult in this case is taken as an individual who is aged 65 years and above. There are commonly many questions about the aspects that is often asked by scholars across different levels of education. Most of these questions seek to understand the reason why people age, the time period of human life when aging starts and the various aging markers evident in different people among others (Salthouse, 2000). Aging can be defined as the gradual and spontaneous changes that subsequently occurs in maturation from the infant to a young adult. The changes commonly create a normal physiologic decline that is seen in the middle and late adulthood. Focusing on the aging of the older adults entails defining the characteristics of the specific individuals over the age of 65 years. A clear understanding of the element of aging can be well illustrated from a one on one interview with an interview with a person within the stated age bracket. The older adult are individuals who are the late adulthood, which is 65 years and beyond (Aitken & Rudolph 2010). Scholars from previous researches assert that the main psychosocial task of the late adulthood is to maintain ego integrity, while at the same time avoiding despair. An individual who succeed at this final task or stage are stated to be people with wisdom, which subsequently includes the acceptance without main regrets the life that the individual has lived, as well as the infamous inescapability of death. Although the older adults commonly achieve a high degree of integrity may present elements of despair at this stage, particularly when they contemplate with their past (Brickman & Stern, 2009). In this case, it is essential to note that no single individual can make it through the life without wondering if any path may have been happier as well as one more productive. An interview was conducted seeking to understand the concept of aging of the older adults, conversely, people of age 65 years and beyond. The interview involved a healthy person since there are some elements that make the aging process more fast that it is medically guided. In addition, there are also other elements that affect the aging process in individuals not only other age groups, but also in the older adult individuals. While selecting a person to be interviewed for this segment, it is essential to choose a relatively healthy aging older adult individual (Brickman & Stern, 2009). As a normal characteristic of aging older adult, diseases and impairments are common occurrences as individuals in this age group face various discomforts all through the late adulthood period. The interviewee in this case was a 68 year old, ex-military officer by the name Jack Sharks. Mr. Shark served in the United States Navy since he was 22 years old, rising the ranks in the force and retired at the age of 60 as a lieutenant. He is also husband to 64 year old Stephanie Eleanor, who is also a retired high school teacher. The couple has three children; two sons and a daughter, all of which are adults in their early 30s. While working as a military officer with the US Navy, Mr. Sharks were able to acquire a substantial amount of wealth that he now uses to sustain his life, together with his wife as the two live in the final stage of their lives. Although Mr. Sharks does not have any parental obligation, he spends some quality time with his 5 grandchildren commonly twice a fortnight. Sharks together with his wife also receive their children several times a month in their 5 bedroom Bungalow in the Eastern suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. In the case of Mr. Sharks, the disengagement theory is applicable to the part of his story that illustrates aging as a process that greatly involves mutual withdrawal of individuals. This entails the older adults voluntarily slowing down by retiring as it is expected by the society (Salthouse, 2000). Mr. Sharks is a retired military officer, who withdrew his service with the US Navy and opted to rest from his duties and then settled in his home in Atlanta where he does not engage in office jobs. Activity theory is evident in the life of Mr. Sharks. The theory entails having a positive correlation between being active in the aging process. This theory encompasses holding on to the social activities that runs counter to the traditional American ideals of energy, activity and industry. He explains his current life as one that does not involve working and only staying with his wife, as well as spending time with grandchildren, who are aged between 5 and 8 years old (Salthouse, 2000). While with his grandchildren, Mr. Sharks states that he takes them for walks in the park, engage them in indoor games most of the time they have time together. Mr. Sharks has for about five years faced biological consequences of aging, as he diabetic. Most people living in the late adulthood often face the risk of chronic illness, as it is evident in the case of Mr. Sharks who suffers from diabetes. Individuals in the older adult stage commonly suffer from some illness due to their change in lifestyle and eating habits, especially after their retirement (Brickman & Stern, 2009). The main reason for the occurrence of such illness in them is attributed to individuals in later adulthood being unable to do major exercise that guarantee healthy living. It should be clear that individuals who had active lives as young and middle adults probably remain active as older adults as it is the case with Mr. Sharks. This is evident from Mr. Shark’s acts of taking his grandchildren for walks, which can be attributed to his tough physical activity as a military officer with the US Navy. In conclusion, it is evident that there are very changes that occur in older adults as compared to their earlier lives. The case study of Mr. Sharks, an older adult, show that the slowed activities at the late adulthood, as well as changes in social interaction and their resilience among other people. The life change of such people is usually seen as an aspect that brings about loneliness to people belonging to this age group. References Aitken, M. & Rudolph, M. (2010). Biological and Social Theories of Aging. 3rd Ed. http://ot.creighton.edu/community/OT_FOR_ELDERS/3rd_Edition_Chapters/Proofs/Padilla_Chapter_02_main.pdf Brickman, A. M. & Stern. Y. (2009). Aging and Memory in Humans. Encyclopedia of Neuroscience (2009). Vol. 1, pp. 175-180 http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/sergievsky/pdfs/agingandmemoryinhumans.pdf Salthouse, T. A (2000). Aging and measures of processing speed. Biological Psychology vol. 2. 1, pp. 35-54 http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~msommers/aging/slow3.pdf Read More