Emerging Issues In Social Gerontology

The rapid growth of the oldest-old with chronic illness, more women employed outside the home, more complex family structures, and increasing racial and class inequities all have contributed to intensifying the demands on families to provide more complex care for longer periods of time and for multiple relatives. This can be very burdening as care is not cheap. Informal care giving saves the American health care system a very substantial amount of money—the estimated economic value contributed by family caregivers to society is 350 billion! These strains are why I think that informal care giving is going to continue to be a growing field. It is financially very expensive to provide formal care for people, which makes informal care a more viable option. I think that it would be safe to say that many people do not know a lot about informal care, but I think that with time that is going to change. I think that in order for this to be successful, we need to show more appreciation to informal caregivers. We are going to need the field to grow along with the growth of knowledge and use in the field, however I think that many people do not find that to be a desirable field to work in. I think that this desire needs to change through greater appreciation and value shown to the people working in the field. If we do more to create a good experience for caregivers, we will be able to expect them to give our relatives and elders a good experience in the care giving process.

Chapter 10: Opportunities and Challenges of Informal Caregiving

Family and medical leave act: Federal legislation passed in 1993 that provides job protection to workers requiring short term leaves from their jobs for the care of a dependent parents, seriously ill newborn, or adopted child. (Reference # 8)

• Scholarly article on the family and medical leave act: http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/fmla.protect.spolter.htm

Reference # 11

I chose this photo because I think that this is the typical picture many people would get in their head when they think about caregiving. However there are many different forms and aspects to informal caregiving that many people tend to overlook when thinking about the topic.

VIDEO ON ELDER ABUSE/NEGLECT

Reference # 14

I chose this video because I think that it is overlooked by many that elders can also suffer from abuse or neglect. I think that it is important to realize that they do still have needs to and it is important that we do not rationalize or allow this abuse and neglect to occur.

National Family Caregiving Support Program of 2000: Requires state and area agencies on aging to provide services to support family caregivers. (Reference #8)

• Internet article on the National Family Caregiving Support Program of 2000: http://www.aoa.gov/aoaroot/aoa_programs/hcltc/caregiver/index.aspx

Elder mistreatment: Maltreatment of older adults, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, and financial exploitation and neglect. (Referenec # 8)

• Internet article on elder mistreatment: http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/chapters_ch_trial.asp?ch=9

A Prayer for the Caregiver

by Bruce McIntyre

Unknown and often unnoticed, you are a hero nonetheless.
For your love, sacrificial, is God at his best.
You walk by faith in the darkness of the great unknown,
And your courage, even in weakness, gives life to your beloved.

You hold shaking hands and provide the ultimate care:
Your presence, the knowing, that you are simply there.
You rise to face the giant of disease and despair,
It is your finest hour, though you may be unaware.

You are resilient, amazing, and beauty unexcelled,
You are the caregiver and you have done well!

I chose this poem because I think that caregivers are often under appreciated in todays society and I think that they are a very important and valuable asset to our society. I think that we should do more to show our appreciation to them and show the gratitude that we have for them.

Informal Caregiving

Z I I D H P D U I V T U K E P U C T N Q R L E P T 
P B N P F I Q Q B C W D M N H A T W D M L C K R C 
W L I I M W L F E K P O W J R Z S F I E N L R I E 
I I O R M O Y L K W Z L R E F Z G W K E N T J M L 
E H K D C H G H Y K K F G R N U Y O L S P Q N A G 
S C W T K E H O A R D I N G O V A O U H Q M W R E 
X U I V N X X E Y T V B X P Q S I A O G W D D Y N 
Y S B F X R Y G G E W R F Z E V C S V K J A H S R 
Z V L J I N F O R M A L C A R E G I V I N G F T E 
D E G W E Y W B T N M U N E S V J M N I U G L R D 
S U Q H B C U Y M F F W N N U Q J C H O Q F F E L 
A G F F J R T M Z S T T A J T F Z V M V R Z J S E 
O W M J D G R I J A R T G T R K U E T M P H R S S 
I F R E H G X O V A Z E D Y Z J P U X F H G C O J 
Q W N G H I L R P E U S G U A P A P R P D W I R Q 
M B G I E W M E G V B M Y C X T C Z G Z T G E S L 
W K K Y B H T Q M W S U C O V U J H D I Q F G Q C 
X D G N E A G N C I I Q R S W Y S G C Q I H N C G 
Y U X G M Z Q V O H K K A D M L T Z U C L H D N V 
H S K I R L J D N E D R U B E V I T C E J B O S B 
S Z T V A D V F I F X Z E M Y N V Z B K E E B B I 
J N V A A X P O D P L N X N J A Y I S B V R T V A 
I Y S W Q F S R Y J J Q R R G Y Y I X C F Q Z I N 
Z M N A K P G U H M E U J J M D T C W R P P L Q Q 
Y I T H G X N R J Y P G H K T K D Z S M I Q O W V 

CAREGIVERBURDEN- physical, emotional, and financial costs associated with assisting persons with long term care needs.
CHRONICSORROW- Long term, seemingly never-ending grief that can impede physical and mental well-being.
ELDERNEGLECT- deprivation of care necessary to maintain elders' health by those trusted to provide the care
HOARDING- A type of self-neglect in which the person excessively saves things, often putting themselves or others at risk.
INFORMALCAREGIVING- unpaid assistance provided by family, friends, and neighbors for persons requiring help with ADL and IADLs.
INTIMATEPARTNERVIOLENCE- domestic violence between partners/spouses
OBJECTIVEBURDEN- reality demands that caregivers face
PRIMARYSTRESSORS- events that derive directly from the elder's illness, such as memory loss or wandering.
SELFNEGLECT- the older adult engages in behavior that threatens their own safety, even though mentally competent.
SUBJECTIVEBURDEN- the caregiver's experience of caregiver burden;differential appraisal of stress.

I chose this chapter because I think a part of aging that is overlooked is the caregiving aspect beyond simply nursing homes. I did not know a great deal about the broader aspect until reading this chapter, and I think many other people may not as well. I think that the resources I included in this blog can help someone to get a better sense of the overall aspect of caregiving and elders.

Ch 9-The Importance of Social Supports: Family, Friends, Neighbors, & Communities

Custodial Grandparents: Grandparents who have legal custody of their grandchildren when adult  children are unable to provide adequate care. (Reference # 8)

• Scholarly article on Grandmothers, Caregiving, and Family Functioning: http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/61/2/S89.full

Amount of social involvement and it's correlation with self-perceived health

Reference # 5

I chose this diagram because it displays the effects that higher degrees of social involvement have on one's self-perceived health. The diagram shows that the more social involvement that one engages in, the greater percentage of people engaging in that degree of involvement possess positive self-perceived health.

The value of intergenerational programs

Reference # 15

I chose this video because it illustrates the importance of intergenerational relationships for both the younger, as well as the older. It states how older people like feeling useful, and how they like feeling as though they are giving something back.

Social convoy model: Close social relationships that surround an individual and can provide a protective secure base, but personal and situational characteristics influence the type and extent of support needed. (Reference # 8)

• Internet article on the social convoy model: http://adultdevelopmenttheories.pbworks.com/w/page/1422281/The-Convoy-Model

Intergenerational stake hypothesis: Pattern whereby the older generation tends to be more invested in future generations around transmission of values and resources. (Reference # 8)

• Internet article on intergenerational stake hypothesis:  http://kops.ub.uni-konstanz.de/volltexte/2008/5941/pdf/The_Intergenerational_Stake_Hypothesis_in_Indonesia_and_Germany.pdf

Quote

Family is the first social unit for developing the qualities of the heart. A true family grows and moves through life together, inseparable in the heart. Whether a biological family or an extended family of people attracted to each other based on heart resonance and mutual support, the word "family" implies warmth, a place where the core feelings of the heart are nurtured. Family values represent the core values and guidelines that parents and family members hold in high regard for the well-being of the family. Sincere family feelings are core heart feelings. They are the basis for true family values. While we have differences, we remain "family" by virtue of our heart connection. Family provides necessary security and support, and acts as a buffer against external problems. A family made up of secure people generates a magnetic power that can get things done. They are the hope for real security in a stressful world.

(Reference # 2)

I chose this quote because I think that it demonstrates the support that a family should have for one another and the power that this support can have. It shows that this support should come from the core of the heart and be there from young to old, and never decrease or fluctuate.

CROSSWORD

Across
4. People who assist others because of their concern, interest, ad innate understanding
8. Placement of children with relatives by the state child foster care
10. Informational, emotional, or instrumental assistance from social networks
Down
1. Sharing resources and assistance among individuals
2. Normative for middle-aged parents when adult children leave home for college or employment
3. Grandparents who have legal custody of their grandchildren when adult children are unable to provide adequate care
5. Where the parent generation is absent
6. The interrelationships and interactions among individuals tat affect the flow of resources and support
7. Families whose memberships comprise blood and non-blood relationships through divorce or remarriage
9. Services that facilitate the interaction of people across generations, typically young and old

I chose this chapter because I think that social support in the aging process is very important for the well-being of everyone. I think that the materials and links that I included help to back up this idea and help to create a better understanding of this importance.

CHAPTER 7: Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality in Old Age

Menopause: cessation of the menstrual cycle. (Reference #8)

• Scholarly article about menopause can be found at:  http://www.menopauseinsight.com/news/coping-better-than-others.aspx

CHART ON STUDIES REGARDING SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND AGING

Reference # 7

I chose to display this diagram as it shows a variety of studies that all found that many couples remain sexually active at older ages, as well as the majority of healthy men and women are sexually active on a regular basis into their seventies and beyond. 

INTIMACY AND AGING VIDEO

Reference # 13

I chose this video because I found it really interesting that a news channel did a piece on the aspect of sex and aging. It helps to reiterate the importance of expression of affection and intimacy in aging. The need to feel loved, even in old age, is still there. This video also reiterates that sexual intimacy remains a need throughout older ages in people.

Widower's Syndrome: describes sexual dysfunction following a long period of abstinence due to a partner's illness and/or death. (Reference #8)

• Internet site regarding widower's syndrome: http://medspillsnews.com/2009/03/men-in-bed-widowers-syndrome/

Prostate cancer: the most common cancer among men age 65 and older (Reference #8)

• Internet site on prostate cancer:  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate

QUOTE

"The sun setting is no less beautiful than the sun rising." ~Paul Green

I chose this quote because I think that it helps to illustrate the concept that intimacy in old age is no less beautiful than that in younger ages. Not only do I think that it illustrates that, but it also illustrates all aspects of life are no less beautiful at younger ages than in older ages. To me, it relates to the idea that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that no beauty should be discounted in anyway, especially one that you find worthy to yourself, regardless of others' views.

Intimacy, Love, and Aging

E D S B M D A K X V H V L F H K Z S R X W V K Y P 
K C X T P T B F X Y T I L A U X E S W R I O M P E 
S C N F M S E W D H D G O Q I D Y P J R H O R Y R 
T Z I E J G N Z V Z A L S U S L A F O J S M E Y I 
Y H P O T C I U O H Y S L U D H O P I B C V T N M 
P P T X R O J N X W O W E L C W A R U S H T L C E 
F G O O G G P P Z F E M M F S U K E B U V L B P N 
Z G Y S M D A M W J Q P X A S J P R T K Y L B P O 
E O U U T V B S I A Y B J E J P M K J H G R H V P 
H B W A Z M F T M K Z B V Q H N X N M M S E K F A 
D H A S Q S E X U P H A R M A C E U T I C A L S U 
W K R X B B F N X J P M Y A L V J N A X X S A K S 
B T A M W N G F O R L T J S D O L A S N X U B W E 
U P P N H H Y D D P X Y X C T W B W W I I L H A V 
M S D G Z D C P H A A Y K D X E K O M A H Y S N Q 
R L U O U P A Z H Y K U D E J B P W M M J T J K B 
R U S T Z E M B I M E S S Z F D K Z X N F B S A H 
Z W Y L Y B I M Q C N N P E L D Y W O I R X H G L 
H Q B U H M T B L P H W M H Y A B I O E E C I T J 
F B G Q E G N V V F P O Q Z W M T C J U R X Z G S 
L K W H V H I M A D A H R D H C Y P Z J C E J B Z 
Z T O M S E V H Q U D H G D E Q L F K P M K A O K 
I L X R U I O C V U A Q R R X R T K U G U J I R O 
H O T F L A S H D V Y P E S K O A V W W H S T A P 
T U T E W G Y D V A U E W N X H N B C M W M T F X 

ERECTION (the swelling of the penis or clitoris in sexual excitement)
HOTFLASH (a sudden sensation of heat in the upper body cause by vasomotor instability as nerves over-respond to decreases in hormone level during menopause)
IMPOTENCE (the inability to have or maintain an erection)
INTIMACY (freedom to express and respond to human closeness)
ORGASM (climax of sexual excitement)
PERIMENOPAUSE (unpredictable menstrual cycles- up to 10 years before menopause)
POSTMENOPAUSE (when 12 months have passed without a menstrual cycle)
SEXUALITY (feelings of sexual desire, expression, and intimacy, not just sexual activity)
SEXUPHARMACEUTICALS (prescribed medications, such as Viagra, to treat men's erectile difficulities
VIROPAUSE (male menopause)

I chose this chapter because I feel as though the prevalence, as well as importance, of love, intimacy, and sexuality in old age is often greatly overlooked, or vastly downplayed by many people. This chapter helps to reiterate the fact that older people have sexual needs and desires just as younger people do. This chapter also helped to better educate me on some of the issues that can arise regarding sexuality as one ages. I felt as though these websites that are linked helped to create a better understanding of the topics they are on. The diagram helps to show the results of several different studies regarding sexual activity and aging. The video also helps portray the idea that older people still have sexual desires and needs as well. I especially liked the poem in that it helps to emphasize that beauty is more than just a young, initial vibrance.

CHAPTER 3: The Social Consequences of physical aging

Age-related macular degeneration: loss of vision in the center of the visual field caused by insufficient oxygen reaching the macula. (Reference #8)

• Scholarly article about AMD can be found at-   http://www.eyeclectic.ca/resources/pdf/Nutrition-and-Age-Related-Mac-Degen.pdf

Diagram on changes that occur throughout aging

(Reference #1)

I chose to display this diagram as I feel that it has a very comprehensive outlook on various physiological changes that influence the physical aging that occurs throughout life.

Hearing loss and aging

(Reference #12)

I chose this video as the development of hearing loss for me, and likely many others, is something that is common-knowledge that it occurs, but perhaps not so much the actual process of the development of the issue.

Age-related cataracts: clouding of the lens of the eye, reducing sight and sometimes leading to blindness, requires surgical extraction of the lens. (Reference #8)

•   Internet site on the formation of age-related cataracts:  http://eyes.emedtv.com/cataracts/age-related-cataract-formation.html

Dementia: diminished ability to remember, make accurate judgments, etc. (Reference #8)

•    Internet site on aging and dementia:    http://www.aging-parents-and-eldercare.com/Pages/Age_Dementia_Symptoms.html

Poem by Unknown Author

May you find .....

May you find serenity and tranquility
in a world you may not always understand.
May you not become too concerned with material matters,
but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart.
Find time in each day to see beauty and love in the world around you.
Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard
you may be more than compensated for in another.
What you feel you lack in the present
may become one of your strengths in the future.
May you see your future
as one filled with promise and possibility.
Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.
May you find enough inner strength
to determine your own worth by yourself,
and not be dependent
on another's judgment of your accomplishments.
(Reference #10)

I liked this poem because physical changes in aging, whether big or small, are inevitable to occur, but I think that it is important to take every change as an experience, and not dwell upon what you cannot do, but what you have done, what you can still do, and not what one views you as, but how you still value yourself.

if picture above does not show, the link to the crossword is: http://www.armoredpenguin.com/crossword/Data/2011.03/2319/23194732.162.pdf

I chose this chapter because the physical aspects of aging are something that I knew to be inevitable, but something that I did not know a great deal about. I knew that the typical changes can occur in loss of hearing to some degree, worsening of eye sight, and lessening in mobility, but I did not know any of the other common, or even uncommon, changes that can occur. I found this chapter to be very informational and learned a lot more about how eye site can deteriorate through things such as cataracts. I felt that the illustrations and videos included were valuable information on aspects of this process as well.