Care Of The Elderly In Retirement Communities example essay topic

The Results of Aging Prepared for Ms. Ferguson Mark TrolleyAbstractThis report presents several aspects of aging. The report looks at a number of theories of why we age, the physical and mental changes we undergo as we age, and several ways of caring for the elderly. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS... INTRODUCTION... 1 THEORIES OF WHY WE AGE... 2 Genetics...

2 Cellular... 2 Physiological... 2 PHYSICAL CHANGES... 2 MENTAL CHANGES... 5 Alzheimer's Disease... 5 Senile Dementia...

5 CARING FOR THE OLD... 6 Retirement Communities... 6 Life-care Facilities... 6 House Sharing...

6 Group Homes... 7 Low-cost, Government Subsidized Housing... 7 Foster Care... 7 Nursing Homes... 7 CONCLUSIONS... 9 WORKS CITED...

10 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Tables 1. The results of aging... 4 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this report is to discuss several aspects of aging. Several theories of why we age, based on genetic research, cellular research, and physiological research will be examined, along with physical and mental changes that are the result of aging. Specific mental changes that will be explored are Alzheimer's Disease and Senile Dementia. The final aspect to be looked at will be the care of the elderly in retirement communities, life-care facilities, house sharing, group homes, low-cost government subsidized housing, foster care, and nursing homes.

THEORIES OF WHY WE AGE Since research into aging is not guided by any one universally accepted theory, genetic, cellular, and physiological studies have yielded several hypotheses. Genetics The most popular genetic theory, the Error Theory, assumes that aging is the result of the accumulation of random genetic damage, or from small errors in the flow of genetic information. The damage or errors would reduce or prevent proper cell function. Cellular The best known theory of aging in cellular research is called the HayflickEffect, which is named after the American microbiologist Leonard Hay flick.

He found that certain human cells could only divide a limited number of times before they die. This may suggest that aging is 'programmed' into cells. This could also account for the differences in the life spans of different animal species, and the differences in the life spans between the sexes within the same species. Physiological These theories focus on organ systems and their interrelationships. One area currently being investigated is the immune system. As we age the immune system gradually loses its capacity to fight off infections and other invaders.

As a result, antibodies are produced that cannot tell the difference between " friendly' cells and 'enemy' cells. Most experts now believe that aging represents many phenomena working together (Miller and Keane 97). PHYSICAL CHANGES The physical changes that accompany aging are not necessarily incapacitating, even though they may be discomforting or limiting. The body has less strength and endurance as it ages. The rate of energy production in the body cells is gradually lowered so that people tire more easily and are more sensitive to weather changes. Sexual desire and ability lower although they never entirely end for either sex.

The capacity to bear children ends in women with menopause, which is the time when the ovaries stop functioning, causing the menstrual cycle to stop. Men retain their reproductive function into the late years. The use of eyeglasses may become necessary, even if they were not necessary earlier in life. Old people can hear low tones fairly well, but their ability to hear high tones decreases.

The capacity of tissue and bone to repair itself is slowed, as is cellular growth and division. Bones become brittle and skin loses its thickness and elasticity, causing wrinkles. As brain cells die some capacity for memorization and learning is lost. Breathing becomes difficult, and hardening arteries circulation to worsen and blood pressure to rise. Joints lose their mobility and deteriorate from constant wear and pressure. Finally, the liver filters toxins from the bloodless efficiently (Microsoft Encarta 'Aging').

These are not all of the changed to the body that are brought about by aging, but these are the major ones. There is hope in modern medicine, though. Through the use of new technologies and drugs some of these changes can be slowed or prevented. Table 1.

The results of aging System Results of Aging Contributing Factors SKIN -loses thickness and elasticity (wrinkles appear) -bruises more easily as blood vessels near surface weaken Process accelerated by smoking, excessive exposure to sun. BRAIN / NERVOUS SYSTEM -loses some capacity for memorization and learning as cells die -becomes slower to respond to stimuli (reflexes dull) Process accelerated by overuse of alcohol and other drugs, repeated blows to the head. SENSES -become less sharp with loss of nerve cells Process accelerated by smoking, repeated exposure to loud noise. LUNGS -become less effective as elasticity decreases Process accelerated by smoking, poor air quality, insufficient exercise. HEART -pumps less efficiently, making exercise more difficult Processaccelerated by overuse of alcohol and tobacco, poor eating habits. CIRCULATION -worsens, and blood pressure rises, as arteries harden Processaccelerated by insufficient exercise, smoking, poor eating habits.

JOINTS -lose mobility (knee, hip) and deteriorate from constant wear and pressure (disappearance of cartilage between vertebrae results in old age " shrinking') Process accelerated by injury, obesity. MUSCLES -lose bulk and strength Process accelerated by insufficient exercise, starvation. LIVER -filters toxins from blood less efficiently Process accelerated by alcohol abuse, viral infection. Microsoft Encarta. 'Aging. ' MENTAL CHANGES Along with the loss of the ability of memorization and learning due to brain cells dying (Microsoft Encarta 'Aging'), elderly people can be affected by Alzheimer's Disease and Senile Dementia.

Alzheimer's Disease This disease is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain, now considered to be a leading cause of dementia among the old. It affects an estimated 2.5 to 3 million people in the U.S. The incidence of this disease increases with advancing age, but there is no evidence that it is caused by the aging process. The average life expectancy of a person with Alzheimer's is five to ten years. Alzheimer's patients show nerve cell loss in the parts of the brain associated with cognitive functioning. The disease also includes the formation of abnormal proteins known as tangles and neuritic plaques. Alzheimer's is also identified by defects in the brain's neurotransmitters, chemicals that transmit nerve impulses, particularly acetylcholine, which has been linked with memory function.

Recent findings show that a small percentage of Alzheimer's cases may have been inherited, and there has been a link between the disease and high amounts of aluminum in the brain (Microsoft Encarta " Alzheimer's Disease'). Senile Dementia This form of intellectual impairment is observed in elderly people. Approximately 10 percent of all people over 65 years of age have clinically important intellectual impairment. Although 20 percent of these cases are treatable, such as toxic drug reactions, most cases are Alzheimer's Disease. Senile Dementia begins with failing attention and memory, loss of mathematical ability, irritability and loss of sense of humor, and poor orientation in space and time (Microsoft Encarta 'Senile Dementia'). CARING FOR THE OLD There is a wide variety of living arrangements available for the elderly.

(Social Issues 'Ways & Means: Options For Aging') Retirement Communities Most retirement communities offer private housing in houses or apartments, recreational facilities, and sometimes housekeeping services. The housing unit is usually bought, and other services are paid for monthly. Retirement communities are offering partial home care, transportation, and other services. Life-care Facilities These are also intended for those elderly people that are moving in to be in good health.

They are charged an entrance fee (which can be as high as $100000) and a monthly maintenance fee. Meals and housekeeping are usually included. In case the resident becomes ill, medical and nursing care are provided, and some life-care facilities contain built-in nursing homes. Some offer unlimited nursing care, while others set a limit. A contract, which should be read carefully, is signed before moving in. House Sharing House sharing is arranged by local agencies.

A private house, which may be too big for the older person living alone, is shared with someone else, such as another elderly person, a student, or a single mother with a child. The success of this arrangement depends on the personalities and flexibility of those involved. Group Homes These are basically communes for the old. They are usually sponsored by voluntary or religious agencies, who provide various services -- including shopping and cooking, laundry, and financial management -- to the residents. The residents pay the sponsoring agency.

Each resident has a private bedroom and shares the rest of the house. Low-cost, Government Subsidized Housing This type of housing for the elderly is available in some communities. Apartments are usually designed with the needs of the elderly in mind, such as wide doorways and ramps, and often good security systems. No services are provided, but Meals-On-Wheels and other local organizations pay special attention to these housing clusters. Foster Care Foster care for the elderly is when the family shops, cooks, and cares for the elderly person with the help of a government subsidy. This type of care is not widely available.

It can provide a family atmosphere for a person who needs supervision, but who is fairly capable of taking care of themselves. Nursing Homes Nursing homes are one of the most popular options for taking care of the elderly. Some homes offer total medical care, including rehabilitation facilities, for those who require twenty-four-hour treatment by nurses. There are several things to look for when looking at a nursing home: the general atmosphere and cleanliness; the attitude of the staff toward the patients and visitors; openness of administrators to your questions and concerns; comfort and privacy of living quarters; quality of food; availability of medical care and nursing and emergency services; recreational and social programs; residents " participation in programs and input into administration; and up-to-date licences. Nursing homes can cost as much as $35 000-$50 000 per year, so that even people with reasonable savings cannot afford to stay for any long period of time. Probably the most unfortunate aspect of these homes is the focus in the news on abuse of the patients.

This is the most important thing to research when you are looking at a nursing home. CONCLUSIONS 1. There is no one theory about why we age, but the subject is currently being researched in several areas. 2. The body goes through many changes as it ages, some of which can be slowed or prevented through the use of modern medicine. 3.

Alzheimer's Disease is probably the most prominent mental disorder in elderly people, but research has found what it does to the brain, so a cure may be in the future. 4. There is a large range of establishments where elderly people can spend the later years of their life, depending on how self-sufficient they are, and how much the yare willing to spend.

Bibliography

Microsoft Encarta. Computer Software. 'Alzheimer's Disease. ' Microsoft, 1993.
Computer Software. 'Senile Dementia. ' Microsoft, 1993.
Miller, Benjamin F., M.D., and Claire Brack man Keane, R.N., B.S., M. Ed... Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine and Nursing. U.S.A. : W.B. Saunders, 1972.
Riley, Matilda White. 'Aging. ' Microsoft Encarta. Computer Software. Microsoft, 1993.