DEVELOPMENTAL FINAL PART 1 CONT.-CHAPTER 18

What are the benefits to life review? Drawbacks?

Often become better understanding of their past. They may be able to resolve lingering problems and conflicts that they had with particular people such as an estrangement from a child and they may feel like they can face current lives with greater serenity. May lead to a sense of sharing and mutuality a feeling of interconnectedness with others. It can be a source of social interaction as older adults seek to share their prior experiences with others. May help activate a variety of memories that trigger other arteries. People can become obsessive about their past, may end up feeling guilt, depression and anger against people from the past who may not even still be alive. Can cause decline in psychological functioning. Can play important role in ongoing lives of elderly individuals, it can also provide a new insights into the past and into others.

SKILLED-NURSING FACILITIES

Only 1% of those aged 64 to 74 are in nursing homes. - provide full time nursing care for people who have chronic illnesses or are recovering from a temporary medical condition. The greater extent of nursing home care the greater adjustment required for resident

According to some estimates, the incidence of ELDER ABUSE, what is it and how many are affected? Who is the most likely perpetrator? Who are the victims?

Physical or psychological mistreatment or neglect of elderly individuals. Has been experienced by as many as 11% of the elderly consulted during the previous year. Most likely too low estimate since people abused are embarrassed to report. Directed at family members particularly at elderly parents. Most at risk are likely to be less healthy and more isolated than the average person in late adulthood, more likely to be living in the caregiver's home. Result of a combination of economic, psychological and social pressures on caregivers who must provide high levels of care 24 hours a day. Those with Alzheimer's disease or other sorts of dementia are likely to target abuse. 2. Elder abuse is most frequently committed by a family member.

What is INSTITUTIONALISM? Why is it detrimental to health & wellbeing?

Psychological state in which people in nursing homes develop apathy, indifference and a lack of caring about themselves. - This is learned by a sense of learned helplessness which is a belief that one has no control over one's environment. Leads to deadly consequences. They no longer have control over their most basic activities they may be told when to eat, sleep and when to visit the bathroom

For many couples, retirement means that relationships have to be refashioned. How and why?

Results in couple's spending more time together than at any point in their marriage. Retirement alters the long-standing distribution of household chores, with men taking on more responsibility than before for the everyday functioning of the household. In early years than wives want more companionship but now men become less competitive and women becomes more assertive

WHAT FACTORS LEAD TO BETTER PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL SENSE OF WELL BEING?

Suggests that people simply need to maintain their desired level of involvement in society in order to maximize their desired level of involvement in society in order to maximize their sense of wellbeing and self esteem Those who are highly active and social will be happiest if they largely remain so. Those more retiring individuals who enjoy solitude and solitary interests such as reading or walks in the woods will be happiest if they are free to pursue that level of sociability. Physical and mental health is clearly important in determining an elderly persons overall sense of wellbeing. A sense of autonomy, independence and personal control over one's life is a significant advantage. The way elderly people perceive old age can influence their happiness and satisfaction. Those who view it as a positive attributes such as gaining wisdom and knowledge can perceive themselves in a more positive light.

How do people cope with aging? How do they adjust with loss of power, respect, etc.? What are the positive aspects of being older?

They are no longer the center stage of life but are increasing playing bit parts. This loss of power, respect and authority may be difficult for individuals accustomed to having control in their lives. People in late adulthood can serve as resources to younger individuals and they may find themselves regarded as venerated elders who advice is sought and relied upon. Bring new freedom to do things for the simple sake of enjoyment and pleasure they bring rather than obligations.

Baltes and Baltes suggest older people overcome changes and losses in old age according to the principle of SELECTIVE OPTIMIZATION, where people concentrate on particular skill areas to compensate for losses in other areas

They do this by seeking to fortify their general motivational, cognitive and physical resources while also through a process of selection, focusing on particular areas of special interest. Illustrates the fundamentals of successful aging. People who focus on making the most of their achievements may bring about various changes in underlying capabilities, people who focus on making the most of their achievement in particular areas may well be able to compensate for any limitations and losses that do occur.

Integrated personalities

cope comfortably with aging and accept becoming older with a sense of dignity

Preparation -

first stage - spouses prepare years maybe decades ahead of time for the eventual death of their partner. Purchase of life insurance, preparation of a will and decision to have children to provide care in one's old age.

Some people experience complicated grief...

form of unrelenting mourning that continues for months and even years. People find It difficult to let go of a loved one, have intrusive memories of the deceased that impede normal functioning

The second stage, grief and mourning

immediate reaction to the death of a spouse. Starts with shock and pain of loss and continues as the survivor works through the period of emotions the loss brings up. The length of time depends on the degree of support received from others.

Passive-dependent personalities

others become fearful with age - fear of falling ill, fear of future, fear of their inability to cope. They are so fearful that they may seek out help from family and care providers even when they don't need it

Disagreement theory

theory suggesting that late adulthood is marked by a gradual withdrawal from the world on physical, psychological and social levels. On physical level elderly people have lower energy levels and tend to slow down progressively. Psychologically they begin to withdrawal from others showing less interest in the world around them and spending more time looking forward. Social level they engage in less interaction with others in terms of both day to day and face to face encounters and participation in society as a whole. Some older adults become less involved and invested in lives with others. Suggests that withdrawal is a mutual process. Becomes people to become more reflective about their own lives and less constrained social roles.

Activity theory

theory suggesting that successful aging occurs when people maintain the interests' activities and social interactions with which they were involved during middle age. Happiness and satisfaction are assumed to spring from high level of involvement with the world. Reflects continuation of activities in which it is o longer possible to participate in certain activities. Argues that successful aging occurs when replacement activities are found.

Erikson, Peck, Neugarten, and Levinson all suggest that a major characteristic of personality development in old age is looking backward, called a LIFE REVIEW,

where people examine and evaluate their lives. And is a common theme for most personality theorists who focus on late adulthood.

The third stage, adaptation-

widowed individual starts a new life- period begins with acceptance of ones loss and continues with reorganization of roles and the formation of new friendships. Encompasses a period of reintegration in which a new identity is developed

Age Stratification Approaches to Late Adulthood- WHAT ABOUT THE US? What impacts does it have on aged?

Age stratification theories suggest that economic resources, power and privilege are distributed unequally among people to different stages of the life course. People in late adulthood are seen to have wisdom. Aging is viewed more positively in less industrialized societies. They can accumulate control over important resources such as animals and land. Peak earning years are the 50s later earnings tend to decline. Rapidly changing technology causes older adults to be seen as lacking important skills older people are not seen as productive members of society

Friends provide SOCIAL SUPPORT, what is it and why is it so important

Assistance and comfort supplied by a network of caring interested people. Plays a critical role in successful aging. People can provide emotional support by lending a sympathetic ear and providing a sound board for ones occurs. Social support from people who experience the same things can provide an unmatched degree of understanding. People can furnish material support such as helping with rides or picking groceries. Provide help in solving problems. People who offer support experience feelings of usefulness and heightened self esteem

Peck's Developmental Tasks: Robert Peck suggests that personality development in elderly people is occupied by three major developmental tasks or challenges. What are they?

- People must redefine themselves in ways that do not relate to their work roles or occupations. This stage is redefinition of self-versus preoccupation with work role. People must adjust their values to place less emphasis onto themselves as workers or professionals and more on attributes that don't involve work - Body transcendence versus body preoccupation a period which people must learn to cope with and move beyond changes in physical capabilities as a result of aging. If they don't move on they become preoccupied with their physical deterioration to the detriment of their personality development - Ego transcendence versus ego preoccupation in which elderly people must come to grips with their coming death. They need to understand that although death is inevitable and probably not too far off they have made contributions to society. if they do not they can become preoccupied with the question of whether their lives had value and worth to society

ADULT DAY-CARE FACILITIES

- elderly individuals receive care only during the day but spend nights and weekends in their own homes. During their time there they receive nursing care, take their meals and participate in scheduled activities. Some are combined with infant and child day programs an arrangement that allows for interaction between old and young.

Few events are more painful than the death of a partner. What are the adjustments to being widowed?

Doing all the chores, make adjustment to being single on their own. Widowed individuals feel left out and friendships may cease and may be released with those with single people. Financial status and economic issues are a major concern

Friendships play an important role in the lives of those in late adulthood. How do friendships differ from family relations?

Element of control - we chose who we like and who we dislike. Ability to maintain friendships may take on more importance. May be more flexible than family ties. They are not likely to have a history of obligations and past conflicts. Relates to the increasing likelihood over time that one will be without a marital partner. When a spouse dies people seek out companionship from friends

Shifts in health mean that in late adulthood men and women may have to care for an ill partner. Who is most likely to be the caretaker?

Wife, ¾ of people who provide care to a spouse are women. Men tend to die earlier and contract diseases leading to death earlier than women. Women are "natural" caregivers - healthcare providers suggest a wife cares for the husband and the husband cares for the wife.

Defended personalities

others respond to the fear of aging in a quite different manner, they try to stop it in its tracks. They may attempt to act young, exercising vigorously and engaging in youthful activities. Unfortunately they may set up unrealistic expectations for themselves and run the risk of feeling disappointed as a result

Disintegrated and disorganized personalities;

some people are unable to accept aging and they experience despair as they get older, they are often found in nursing homes or are hospitalized