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Forget Me NotCaring for the
Elderly
OLD AGE…..generally begins at the
age of
60
People in this age group are called…
…..Senior Citizens
According to the World Health Organization….
…among those 13% are over 80 years old.
….there are almost 700 million people over the age 60
living in the world today.
…it is expected that by 2050 this number will be almost
2 billion and the number of elderly will be
higher than the number of children
In the Philippines….
….this number comprises 5.97% of the total Philippine population.
According to the National Statistics Office,
the total number of Senior Citizens (60 years old and above) is 4,565,560 as of 2009
More Statistics…
China has the most number of elderly in the world……..about 88 million
At this time elderly population is growing by 800,0000 a month
Did you know that…
What are the Elderly Like?Physicalvisual and hearing problemssmell and taste lossessusceptibility to illnesses
Leading Cause of Death
heart diseases
cancer
pneumonia
What are the Elderly Like?Cognitivedecline in mental processes – may experience memory lapses or disorientation.
Spotlight on:ALZHEIMER’s Disease
…is a progressive irreversible brain disorder that is characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language and physical functioning.
..WHO reports as of 2009 that almost 35 million elderly suffers from this kind of disease.
What are the Elderly Like?
Spotlight on:ALZHEIMER’s Disease
… this disease has no cure and the cause is unknown, as such people do not know how to prevent it although some doctors reported that it could be alleviated with some form of diet and memory training games.
Alzheimer’s is a sad disease – the elderly cannot remember the people and place in their lives. They need consistent care because they could walk away or get lost…
What are the Elderly Like?Socialbecause of their declining health and limited mobility, most elderly have the tendency to withdraw from the society – spending most of their time looking back – reflecting on what they have made out of their lives.
Social Theories of AgingDisengagement TheoryActivity TheorySocial breakdown Reconstruction Theory
What are the Elderly Like?
Social Theories of AgingDisengagement Theory – as older adults slow down, they gradually withdraw from the society.
Disengagement is a mutual activity in which the elderly not only disengaged in the society, but the society disengages from the older adult.
The elderly develops greater self-preoccupation and decrease emotional ties with people and reduced interest in social activities. Such social withdrawal and increased self-absorption was thought to increase life satisfaction among them.
What are the Elderly Like?
Social Theories of AgingActivity Theory– as opposed to the disengagement theory, this theory argues that the more active and involved the elderly are, the more likely that they are satisfied with their lives.
It is therefore important to find substitute activities for them after their retirement.
What are the Elderly Like?
Social Theories of AgingSocial Breakdown -Reconstruction Theory
This theory states that aging is promoted through negative psychological functioning brought about by the negative views of the society about elderly and inadequate provision of services for them.
Social reconstruction can occur by changing the society’s view of the elderly and by providing adequate social services for them.
What are the Elderly Like?
Society provides inadequate support services, and funds for the elderly.
Society views elderly as
incompetent; obsolete
Society develops label for the elderly: useless; ineffective;
helpless
Elderly’s skills deteriorate
Elderly labels self as incompetent
What are the Elderly Like?
Society provides support systems for the elderly: family support; housing; health services; economics; nutrition and social services.
Society views elderly as
competent; important
Society develops positive label for the elderly: helpers;
self-controlled; wise; competent
Elderly’s skills improve
Elderly labels self as competent
Issues Facing the Elderly
ABUSE
•It can happen in the family•It can happen in nursing homes•It could be physical or psychological (like verbal abuse) – when they are named called or threatened, or taken advantage because of their memory problems. •One form is NEGLECT! When people who are suppose to care for them ignore their needs and concerns
Issues Facing the Elderly
ABUSE
“Having someone else look after aging parents is a tough decision to make, and is made even tougher by fact that one of four nursing homes has been blamed for the death or serious injury to a resident each year, according to government figures.”
Issues Facing the Elderly
LONELINESS•Death of a husband or wife and many friends.
• •Children are busy with work and may not even come to visit them. Grandchildren are busy with school.
•Physically weak elderly may feel that they are burden so they try to stay away even if people are around. •Loneliness leads to depression – they feel alone and unproductive.
Issues Facing the Elderly POVERTY
•They cannot earn anymore and they do not have money.
•May receive retirement pension but may not also be enough because of their increasing medical needs.
•As such many even try to continue working even after reaching the retirement age.
Issues Facing the Elderly
HEALTH
•diminished sensory and motor abilities
•tendency to acquire various illnesses such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, etc.
Issues Facing the Elderly
DISCRIMINATION
•Job discrimination – employers prefer younger applicants because
….inexperienced workers have cheaper salaries
…employers believe that the elders could only stay in work for a short time because of their declining physical condition
….elderly are thought of as slower and less capable.
Issues Facing the Elderly
DISCRIMINATION
•Social discrimination – maybe excluded from family or community services because they are seen as incapable.
Medical Discrimination - Some doctors treat them without much care because they think they don’t deserve such because they are already old.