Health Coursework Example: Changes in Older Adults

Aging is a natural aspect of any organism, and human beings are no exception. In humans, beyond 60 years of age, an individuals life changes appreciably accompanied by a decline in immunity, reduced activity, and feeling of losses (Singh & Misra, 2009). According to the American Psychological Association, aging results in various physical and lifestyle changes which singly or collectively contribute to negative emotions including sadness, anxiety, and loneliness. Aging is not an idyllic process but one that is characterized by chronic and debilitating medical defects, loss of close social ties such as friends and workmates (Glisky, 2007). Furthermore, as one age, he or she becomes unable to participate in some of the once- cherished activities. The enormity of the losses of aging and accompanying health complications take a heavy toll on the peoples emotional stability.

Depression in the elderly commonly co-occurs with other health complications resulting from reduced immunity hence it might be easily misconstrued as being a result of multiple illnesses (Glisky, 2007). Whereas a traumatic event, severe sicknesses, tragic scene, or memory, clinical depression triggers traumatization, the emotional declines of the older adults result from challenges attributable to the age itself. For instance, most older adults experience various health problems such as chronic sicknesses and severe pain, the decline in cognitive ability, damage to the general body form and disability (Singh & Misra, 2009). Due to limited capacity and reduced movement, the social circle of the aged progressively weaken thus resulting in a feeling of loneliness and isolation.

Whenever the social bonds become weak, and the old become less mobile, they experience a general feeling of lost purpose in life (Singh & Misra, 2009). In essence, the mere fact that the elderly cannot actively participate in social functioning makes them feel less wanted and slowly experience dwindling value for life. Also, as people advance in age, the reality of death becomes clear. They begin to conceptualize their mortality and the implications that such thoughts generate trauma and depression (Glisky, 2007). Just like in the case of terminally ill patients, the elderly begin to become nostalgic about the past years of activity, contemplate the unaccomplished aspirations and start to set themselves out of the realms of humanity (Papalia, 2009). The psychological separation of the elderly from the sense of belonging accompanied by the dwindling perception of the value of life result in trauma.

Aging leads to declines in an individuals physic which may result from inadequate lifestyles such as poor eating habits and lack of physical activity (Singh & Misra, 2009). The energy reserves of the aging dwindle, cells become inactive and regeneration stop, muscle power decreases, and immunity lowers (Papalia, 2009). The efficiency of the body organs in performing their functions also reduce appreciably. Collectively, these developments in a persons life cause a general feeling of loss and even trauma (Glisky, 2007). The appearance of wrinkles on the body as well as inability to maintain ones gait result in reduced self-esteem which counseling cannot alleviate.

The sadness of loss among the old does not necessarily require any other trigger apart from the mere realization that one is aging. The fact that a person realizes that he or she is slowly becoming old, emotion control begin to plummet and worsen with inability and loneliness. The feelings of the elderly become very vulnerable to tragic situations such as the loss of a loved one or sense of insecurity (Papalia, 2009). On the other hand, the symptoms of clinical depression are severe enough as to cause critical changes in social relationships in the day to day life. For instance, a clinically depressed person becomes highly irritable, restless and inconsiderate (Glisky, 2007). They find it difficult to overcome their stressors hence require psychological counseling to help control such feelings. On the contrary, the feeling of loss in the elderly does not necessarily need psychotherapy or any forms of therapy. With family support, the aging gains a sense of belonging and renewed purpose despite their inabilities.

References

Glisky, E. L. (2007). Changes in cognitive function in human aging. Brain aging: models, methods, and mechanisms, 3-20.

Papalia, D. E. (2009). Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood. Human Development. Mc-Graw Hill.

Singh, A., & Misra, N. (2009). Loneliness, depression, and sociability in old age. Industrial psychiatry journal, 18(1), 51.