The Problem Of The Older Adult Population Essay - 1685 Words

The older adult population in the United States has steadily increased thanks to technology and medical advances. While this definitely is an undeniable achievement, it also creates some challenges that society was not as prevalent to face before. Now that people are living longer it’s also means that often times family members are becoming caregivers to their loved ones during their so called golden years. Not only may it be difficult to care for a loved one, but it also becomes even more burdensome when their loved has a disability. In fact â€Å"dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.† (2016). Fortunately there are adult day centers that serve people with dementia and provide services that can benefit them. However many times caregivers are forgotten about and aren’t provided services that can also benefit them as well. While it does take a bit of pressure off of the caregivers while their loved ones are a t the day center, it does not eliminate all the other effects. Many people may not be aware that there are detrimental effects that a caregiver may experience as a result of caring for someone with dementia. While caregiving for an older adult may be demanding in general, caring for a loved one with dementia potentially can be even more strenuous due to the nature of the illness. Dementia is â€Å"associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person s ability to perform everydayShow MoreRelatedSexually Transmitted Diseases ( Std ) Essay1381 Words   |  6 PagesTransmitted Diseases (STD) are one of the most common and preventable health care problems in the world. The ageism of the population and the increase in the number of older adults, along with healthcare advances that provide better and longer quality of life, has encourage changes in sexuality amongst older adults. This increase has prompted healthcare workers to familiarize themselves with the sexuality of older adults. In this report, I plan to discuss the significance of this topic, the concernRead MoreThe Depression Of Older Adult Depression1667 Words   |  7 PagesAs the number of the older adults is increasing so are those living with depression; therefore, it is important that perceptions around older adult depression be studied. According to the study done by the US Department of Commerce, it is estimated that the older adult population will more than likely double by 2050 and of 80 million and many as 1 in 5 Americans would be considered as an older adult (US Department of Commerce, 1995). There are many losses that accompany the aging process. These includeRead MoreSubstance Abuse in Older Population1556 Words   |  6 Pagessometimes seen in aging adults are often seen in those with SUDs. The Role of the Physician One of the first lines of defense in helping the elderly who are struggling with substance abuse is assisting them in recognizing there is a problem and correctly screening for substance abuse (Han et al., 2009). This primary role of the physician is essential to the treatment of the older patient’s medical needs. The medical community plays an important role in the lives of older people. Physicians prescribeRead MoreSubstance Abuse in Older Populations1147 Words   |  5 PagesThe issue of substance misuse and abuse among the elderly population is complex. The elderly rarely use alcohol or drugs to get high rather drug or alcohol use that begins after age 60 appears fundamentally different (Culberson Ziska 2008). The elderly sometimes turn to alcohol and drugs to alleviate the physical and psychological pain from the onslaught of medical and psychiatric illness, the loss of loved ones or social isolation (Culberson Ziska 2008). Elderly patients have a combinationRead Mo reThe Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Essay811 Words   |  4 PagesThe Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Lauren M. Lorio NUR/440 April 9, 2012 Maria Mendez The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Vulnerability is defined as susceptibility or increased risk for health problems (DeChesnay, 2008).   A group of individuals are considered at higher risk for illness when their physical, emotional, psychological, or social health, is compromised (Aday, 2001).   There are many leading causes for why a population is considered at higher risk; socioeconomic, age, genderRead MoreDrug Abuse Within The Elderly Population1135 Words   |  5 Pagesabuse within the elderly population has not been widely understood or addressed. Because this is an issue affecting an ever-growing number of the country’s population, the focus of our practice based research project will be based primarily on the increasing number of older adults who are becoming addicted to prescription drugs. To define our terms more precisely we must first discuss who falls in the category of â€Å"older adult.† For this assignment, the term â€Å"older adult† can be defined as an individualRead MoreSubstance Abuse Among The Elderly1473 Words   |  6 Pagesdefined as those Americans born between 1946 and 1964, turn 65 in 2011. The number of older Americans will increase from 35 to 70 million by the year 2030 (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2000). The nation’s population will increase 18% during and the population aged 65 and older will increase 78% ( Wan, Sengupta, Velkoff, DeBarros, 2005). One growing concern within the elderly population is that of substance abuse as it pertains to the increasing numbers of substance abusersRead MoreThe Falls Prevention Program Must Improve The Overall Quality Of Life For Older Adults1295 Words   |  6 Pagesfew decades the lifespan of older individuals have increased. Nursing homes or assisted living facilities have been the answer for people who are less independent. However, some older adults remain in their homes and become the targets of falling. Falls are one of the leading causes of death in older adults 65 and older. Older individuals who experience falling are at risk for serious injuries or fatality. A falls prevention program is necessary to be idealistic for older individuals to prevent, reduceRead MoreIs Ageism Against The Older People Could Potentially Be Reversed Through The Participation Of A Lifespan Human Development Course1620 Words   |  7 Pagesauthor examine if nega tive attitudes towards older people could potentially be reversed through the participation in a Lifespan Human Development Course. He states that research findings shows that a prevailing factor that is affecting the elder population today is ageism. Researchers found, that the younger generation, 35 years and younger, are judgmental and in many cases disrespectful and hold some form of prejudice towards older adults. Older adult are often described in negative way and labelledRead MoreThe Abuse Of Older Adults1439 Words   |  6 Pagessocial issue that is important to acknowledge is the abuse of older people. For so many years, elder abuse has been a hidden yet growing problem in the United States. This problem is recognized as a tragedy that impacts older adults of all races, cultures, sexual orientations, social class and geographic areas. Additionally, this is a critical public health problem that has negative consequences on the health and well-being of older adults. Although the definitions of elder abuse vary, the U.S Administration