...Demographic Paper HCS 490 November 26, 2012 Demographic Paper Never before in human history has our world been populated with so many older individuals or such a large percentage of them. This percentage will continue to grow as the baby boomer generation are no longer in the workforce and move into retirement. The aging population has reconstructed into one of the most significant influences in the health care industry. It is highly foreseeable trend that over the next twenty years half of the United States operating costs for health care encounters will be from the ageing generation. Within this paper will discuss the universal impact that altering demographics encompass on the health care market, how it will influence health care, challenges associated with health care, chronic disease wellness program, services required, as well as how to converge on these challenges. As our nation's population continues to age it is an ever increasing issue for long term care in the years ahead. By the year 2020, the number of older Americans in need of long-term care may reach as many as twelve million. For the reason the middle age of the nation's populace continues to escalate and the decline in productiveness. In addition in twenty years of health improvement the standard of life period has dramatically increased as many more people live longer throughout half of the 20th century. Such characteristics of productiveness can be felt all across the nation from the past two...
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...Analyzing the Psychology of Aging Jason Russ Analyzing the Psychology of Aging Not only is the country’s population growing, it is aging as well. Older adults are the fastest growing population on the charts right now. There is no point and time when a person overnight just becomes “old.” Obviously everyone knows we simply just age; it comes with getting older. This thing called “aging” happens to everyone at a different rate. In this particular essay I will briefly be discussing five parts of psychology aging, and cognitive functioning in the elderly. Psychology of Aging, Theories of Aging, the Physical Dimension, the Cognitive Dimension, and the Social Dimension. The psychology of aging focuses on the behavioral changes which occur during the normal aging process. Age differences in learning, memory, perceptual and intellectual abilities will be investigated. In addition, emphasis will be placed on the neural correlates and cognitive consequences of disorders of aging such as Alzheimers disease(Belsky, J.1999). Aging introduces a number of psychological and physical changes in the human body and engaged researchers in this field of study. The growing population in industrialized countries has become a serious issue in the 21st century. Life expectancy has increased significantly over the 20th century. For example, in 1900 a baby born in an industrialized country would usually live to between 47 and 55, while a baby born in the 21st century would be expected to...
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...Senior Health: Diet and Exercise for the Elderly In the current world, aging is aggressively reaching its peak in association with human health. Many people in our society are unaware that the mission to increase life expectancy is an ongoing reality in everyday lives. Living to a healthy old age is possible for each person as long as efficient, beneficial choices are made. In addition to healthy decisions, maintaining physical activity is crucial to healthy aging. As an adult, one should always be mindful of fit living routines and practices. Inputting regular exercise into daily routine is one of the most important foundations in sustaining well-being. The process of aging entails various personal lifestyle changes and is impacted by both consistent implement and social values. Senior health is an important issue that has been brought to light in the past few decades of baby boomers and increasing life expectancy; it brings media and community attention to the difficulties related to aging (3). By simultaneously spreading public awareness about these demographics and promoting healthy lifestyles, all of society, especially the senior population, will flourish in the years to come. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Physical activity is essential to healthy aging (5). As one reaches his or her senior years, physical activity is a necessity that should be implement into everyday living to enable of life of fullest potential. For the general population...
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...Limitations In Older Adults Population Physical and functional limitations in older adults have significant influences in their daily life. Age-related changes and chronic illness such as dementia, diabetes or arthritis are the causes of decreasing older adults’ physical functions. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 61.1% of older adults over 65 years old in the United States have at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2016). CDC also measures adults’ physically unhealthy days by asking how many days during the past 30 days they felt that their physical health was not good, and older adults over 65 years old have the highest rate...
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...prepared to address such issues as the obesity epidemic and the aging population as more Americans fall under these groups? The aging population and obesity epidemic go far beyond American soil but this report will focus on the healthcare concerns arising in the United States. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2011) has stated that the population of those greater than 65 years of age is estimated to grow from 12.4% in 2000 to 19.2% in 2030. In age that means in 2030 the population of those over 65-year- old will be at 75 million, up from 35 million in 2000. Furthermore, those individuals 80 years of age and older will rise from 9.3 million to 20 million in that same time frame. In 2025 the United States, minus Alaska and Florida, will see an estimate of 15% of their population who are 65 years old and older. Three combined factors make up the aging phenomenon; Age Dynamics: The fertility rate elevated between 1946 and 1964 (baby boom era); Fertility Rate Decline: The amount of older people has increased as the number of young people reproducing has decreased; and Increase in Longevity: Medical technology and healthcare improvements have helped to increase life expectancy by 20 years (Transgenerational, n.d). The CDC (2011) has stated the following: “The growing number of older adults increases demands on the public health system and on medical and social services.’ ‘Chronic diseases, which affect older adults disproportionately, contribute to disability, diminish quality...
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...Demographics The Aging Population Michele R. Morris HCS/490 July 17, 2011 Jennifer Pharr The Aging Population The aging population does not seem like anything other than people just receiving older. Referred to as the Baby Boomers this demographic of people are those ages 65 and older. People may think the demographics of our population have no affect on health care or our economy. This paper will include the information that proves our countries demographics do impact health care and the economy. For example, information was gathered about the target area, the aging population, and the general impact that demographic group has on the health care market. This information will also include how the aging population will increase the nation’s health care costs and prescription drug costs. This paper will include information about how a chronic disease wellness program may affect the cost for the aging population and how these issues can be addressed. Statistics Because of this proposed “baby boom” generation rapidly increasing, there has been an increased health care cost. The health care cost per person for people over age 65 is three to five times greater than that of people under the age of 65 (United states census bureau, 2003). This increased cost along with other factors such as long-term care and advancements in technology could increase health care cost even higher. More than 50 million of these Baby Boomers are sparking a demand for...
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...these final years, individuals who modify destructive lifestyles and embark on healthier options will experience an improvement in their health and sense of wellbeing (Berger, 2008). During this stage of adulthood, older adults remain socially active and independent rather than subjecting themselves to isolation and withdrawal (Berger, 2008). As more aging adults continue to live healthy, socially active lives and maintain important family roles, it is important to refrain from stereotypical thought and the negativity of ageism, which can contribute to their premature decline. With technology and high quality medical care, aging adults continue to be a valuable resource for younger generations. Healthy habits and daily routines are essential for promoting health and wellness into late adulthood. Smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise, and overeating cost many individuals their ability to maintain an active and independent lifestyle as they age (Berger, 2008). Exercise and a healthy diet avert many common diseases and increases energy in the elderly. Changing daily habits, even late in life can help diminish some of the effects of aging (Berger, 2008). According to Berger (2008), almost all diseases and chronic conditions normally associated with aging are powerfully influenced by one's daily routines and habits. Health habits are crucial to physical...
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...Aging Demographics in Health Care Cynthia Mays HCS/490 University of Phoenix January 19, 2012 Aging Demographics in Health Care The expected growth of the older population in the United States over the next fifty years will have an exceptional impact on the U.S. health care system. Population aging is a complex issue that concerns not only the well-being of today’s older American’s but also comprehensive areas and sectors affecting the total population, such as health, labor markets and public finances. It affects and engages communities, all levels of government, and all sectors of society. In this paper there is a discussion of the aging population and the impact it has on demographics in healthcare. There is an upsurge in the population of older adults. As the population ages and medical care continues to elongate the average lifespan of the population, this results in a greater percentage of the population being composed of older adults and subject themselves to the medical consequence associated with increasing age and chronic disease. At birth, every cohort has a small excess of males but, leaving to the higher death rates for the mall population and the more rapid improvement in mortality for women, although there is a large excess of women at older ages. “In 1980, 12 percent of the white population was age 65 or older which was a much larger proportion than the 8 percent of the black population” (Siegel and...
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...The article, “Promoting Healthy Aging by Confronting Ageism”, by Todd D. Nelson discusses a relatively new term, coined by Robert Butler in the late 1960’s, called ageism and how the negative stereotypes are affecting the health of older adults who believe in these stereotypes. Ageism is bias against, solely, someone’s age. Furthermore, the article discusses ways to improve the health of older adults through recommendations for specific solutions. Ageism affects the cognition or memory of older adults (middle-aged and older). Based on the research this article cited, older adults remembered negative stereotypes significantly less than positive stereotypes. Also, middle-aged adults, who are aware of these negative stereotypes against their age, did...
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...Judith Andre HCS-548 Foundations of Gerontology Professor: Jeanette Adams 01/08/2015 Gerontology is the study of aging and has made tremendous progress over the years. In the past, researchers have looked for a single theory that explained aging. There are two main groups of aging theories. The first group states that aging is natural and programmed into the body, while the second group of aging theories say that aging is a result of damage which is accumulated over time. In the end, aging is a complex interaction of genetics, chemistry, physiology and behavior. By understanding and describing how we age, researchers have developed several different theories of aging. The two major theories that will be explain in this paper will be the activity and disengagement theory in which they both will show how important their roles play in the process of aging in older adults. Disengagement and Activity Theory Disengagement theory is the most influential theories in gerontology, because it views aging as a process of mutual withdrawal in which older adults voluntarily slow down by retiring, as expected by society. Proponents of disengagement theory hold that mutual social withdrawal benefits both individuals and society. Activity theory sees a positive correlation between keeping active and aging well. (According to the Henry,2011) proponents of activity theory hold that mutual social withdrawal runs counter to traditional American ideals of activity, energy, and industry...
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...Demographic Paper Synthia Simmons October 14, 2013 The Aging Population Demographic means the branch of sociology that studies the characteristics of human population. Demographic factors consist of age, sex, education level, income level and other things. The topic I would like to discuss is about the aging population and how it affects the challenges which are related to health care. Dramatic changes are taking place in this demographic structure of the United States. By the year 2030, twenty-two (22) percent of the population will be over the age of sixty-five (65). The aging of the population presents social challenges to support the needs of older people. These social challenges help the aging to live healthier, to be independent and to lead a productive life. There are older adults that are much more healthier plus they are more educated plus they are pursuing active lives. Whenever the older adults develop a disability or chronic illness, the older adults are unable to perform one or more self-care tasks. Whenever it comes to the health care relation of aging population, information technologies can improve the lives of older adults in certain areas. These areas include e-health, medication, health care deliveries, home safety and assist devices. The aging pulation comes with many challenges such as social, financial, economic and political. Managing health care quality and...
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...through the many stages of life and eventually die, there are easily identifiable periods of growth; yet the older one gets the more indiscernible relative changes become. This paper will discuss late adulthood and death, placing emphasis on the following: how individuals can promote health and wellness into late adulthood and mitigate the negative effects of aging, an analysis of ageism and stereotypes associated with late adulthood, an exploration of different views of death and dying at different points in human development, and an examination of the attitudes of various cultures towards death and dying. Getting older does not have to mean that one gets sicker. Of course as we age our reflexes slow and the passage of time may appear more noticeably on one’s face. Yes we do get older, all of us; it is called senescence. Senescence is the process of aging and all humans go through it. But as previously stated one does not need to get sicker just because they get older. Some of the ways to promote wellness in an older adult include but are not limited to the following: exercise and dieting, eliminating unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and establishing healthy personal relationships. Older adults should be proactive in the pursuit of health and wellness, according to K.S. Berger (2008) some of the health factors that accompany aging are heart disease, diabetes and dementia. All of these health factors can be anticipated and to some point, prevented...
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...health and having an overall sense of well-being (Berger, 2009). Remaining socially active and independent for as long as possible instead of succumbing to isolating is key during this stage of adulthood (Berger, 2009). In the stage of late adulthood living socially active, healthy, and physically active lives while maintaining important family roles is very important , which illiminates some stressor of aging that may be brought on by negative and stereotypical thoughts of ageism which will assist in their premature decline. High quality medical care assisted by technology can provide aging adults comfort knowing they are helping to protect and safeguard younger generations as science learns from the older generations. Ageism and Stereotypes In late adulthood, there are a lot of stereotypes and misunderstandings of older adults (Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood, n.d.). Ageism and perceptions against someone’s age, causes negative understanding of older adults. Some of these stereotypes are representations of weakness or ineptitude in a negative light, and some are just meant to be jokes (Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood, n.d.). The bias against older adult individuals in a negative light has been called ageism (Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood, n.d. As one...
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...STUDY GUIDE for C475 Care of Older Adult Objective Assessment Exam questions are taken from the Learning Objectives under the 9 Competencies: #1 Competency 742.1.1: Compassionate and Respectful Care of Older Adults The graduate integrates principles of compassion and respect for patients and their families into the planning and delivery of care to a diverse population of older adults and into advocacy for vulnerable older adults. This topic addresses the following learning objectives: * Recognize the impact of attitudes, values, and expectations about aging. * Describe how the RN’s personal beliefs and values may impact the care of older adults. * Articulate the concept of individualized care as the standard of practice with older adults, considering the right care, at the right time, in the right place and by the right provider of care. * Define Baby Boomers * What are the five racial groups listed in your text? * How would you perform discharge teaching to an Hispanic patient * Apply effective and respectful communication strategies in the care of older adults and their families. * List some of the changes of aging that could affect therapeutic communication * Note the ways to communicate or assist a patient with disabilities such as hearing deficits, vision impairments, or aphasia and dysarthria. Be familiar with the types of hearing devices. How should you address the older adult during therapeutic communication? ...
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...Assignment 2: Aging John Doe SOC 100: Introduction to Sociology Professor Beth Stewart May 3, 2013 For years, life expectancy has grown in nations across the globe. With ever changing technology and improving quality of life, people generally have the luxury of a longer life. That said, there things that need to be considered such as financial support for the elderly, retirement age, assisted living and self-sufficiency. At some point, living long changes from a luxury to a burden. There are social issues regarding the way that elderly are viewed in society. In many cases, this may lead to people trying to fight aging or to take better care of themselves so that they age gracefully. There are differences in the life expectancies of different countries as well as differences in how the elderly are viewed and respected in different cultures. In 1950, the life expectancy for girls born in India was 36 years while girls born in the US had a life expectancy of 72 years (Lubben, J. & Rodriguez, J.,2011). Another interesting statistic is that in 1900, only 21 percent of people had a living grandparent and in the year 2000, that number grew to 76 percent (Lubben, J. & Rodriguez, J.,2011). As life expectancy grows, the effected generations need to consider how they will support themselves. They need to consider how much money they need to have saved in order to live after retirement. Additionally, the retirement age has gone up as life expectancy has gone...
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