Growth and development are characterized by changes in physiological, psychological, and biological changes. The properties of the body are different when a person is a young child as compared to when they get old. Several theories try to describe the process of growth and development of human being as well as aging. One of them is Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory that is divided into eight stages ( Cherry, 2005) . This paper will discuss the eighth and last stage of growth and development, which is known as the phase of integrity vs despair. This level begins at age 60 years of age and ends at the time of death. This stage commences when the person experiences the sense of mortality.
They respond to retirement, the death of a spouse or close allies, or the changing social roles. This final stage manifests in a crisis that lets a person review the life career of an individual to check whether it was successful or a failure ( Cherry, 2005) . Integrity means that the person is at peace with the life they led and the world in which they live. This section the individual has no regrets or recriminations. When the person looks back, they see that they left the world a better place than they found it and thus being positive and happy. On the other hand, despair represents the opposite feelings of regrets ( Cherry, 2005) . The person becomes sad while looking back at the missed opportunities and they wish to turn back to live a life differently. The individual thus becomes bitter and despaired.
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Old age is characterized by both gains and losses while the advanced age sees an increasingly negative ratio in gain to loss. The main development role of this period is an adjustment to retirement. The time is filled with potential gains like self-actualization and losses for instance loss of self-esteem. The management of another risk, which is living with reduced finances after retirement, obstructs achievement of the projects that come with old age. There is also an adjustment to decreasing health and physical strength. This period is marred by the prevalence of chronic and acute diseases. Thus, the roles in old age include life situations that involve being in an imperfect health and dependence on other people. Positive roles may include helping in the development of the youth and society due to the accumulation of knowledge and wisdom.
| Characteristics | Expected Outcomes | Observed Outcomes |
| a) Self-image |
Vision problems Hearing problems Dry, pigmented skin Difficulty in movement |
Many individuals wore glasses and hearing aid. Most reported difficulty with seeing in the dark. They also had wrinkled, dry, and pigmented skin that lacks elasticity. Many experienced slouching gaits that made it difficult in moving. They moved with aid of walkers and other support instruments. |
| b). Social development |
Loneliness and isolation Attitudinal reminiscing Positivity Wisdom |
Many individuals were distant from the rest of the population and said that things have changed. She seemed lonely and had pictures of the spouse. At some point, they were happy that they lived a long life and seen so much. |
| c). Cognitive development |
Loss of memory Alzheimer’s disease and dementia Difficulty in perceiving information |
The individual seemed to lose track of events that occurred some minutes ago. The person was lost in thoughts that affected their daily functioning. They had trouble in perceiving information. |
| d). Sexuality | Reduced sex drive | The individual said that she has lost interest in sex. |
| e). Communication skills |
Reduced concentration Increased response time |
The individual showed high levels of distraction and low concentration level in places where there are such stimuli. They take time to understand a statement and respond after some time. |
| f). Gross and fine motor skills |
Increased response time Reduced control |
The person showed reduced activity and thus poor gross motor skills. Their movement was slow and response time increased. They seemed to have little control and needed assistance with most tasks. |
Aging comes with changes in physical and cognitive abilities. In the observations made, it is clear that there is a reduction in most of the functionality of the elderly and that they require aids. This can be attributed to the changing physiological characteristics of the body as a person ages. I expected to see the reductions and in most cases, that was observed. The self-image deteriorated as was expected. There were gains and losses with aging as far as social development is concerned. The person showed a sense of positivity in the life lived but the loss of spouse made her experience loneliness. We experienced a cognitive ability to reduce and that is what was observed. Sexuality, communication skills and gross and fine motor skills also showed harmonious expectation and observations.
Nutritional needs for the older adults should be special to take care of the reducing health and physiological properties. Healthy food can make a difference in the health, improve the feeling and encourage the elderly to have a sense of well-being. This calls for the special need for healthy eating and guidelines to obtain the same. First, the person should obtain the required nutrients that are essential for the body such as dietary fibre, minerals, potassium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium. The older adult should also be able to lose weight or maintain a healthy one due to the increased chances of obesity during this stage in life. In addition, dietary concerns should be aimed at reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure. When these conditions are present, a healthy diet can help in their management. Another requirement is that the diet should be able to meet individual calorie and nutritional needs while helping to maintain energy levels.
The nutritional requirements include whole fruits and vegetables. They are rich in fibre and contain important nutrients. The older adults should choose the fruits and vegetables with deeply colored flesh. For canned varieties, the choice should go to those packed in their own juices or in low-sodium levels. Secondly, healthy oils are also important for a healthy diet. For the older adults, liquid vegetable oils and soft margarine are essential in providing important fatty acids and some give vitamins that are soluble in fat. The person should consider drinking plenty of fluids. This can be obtained from fruits and vegetables, soups, coffee, tea, and most importantly water. Instead of sugary drinks, an older adult should drink water. The elderly should consider using a variety of herbs and spices as flavor and reduce the use of salt. The person should drink fat-free and low-fat milk throughout the day. For those lacking tolerance to milk, trying small amounts of cheese, buttermilk, lactose-free foods, or yoghurt can provide calcium, protein, and other important nutrients. The source of proteins should be selected from poultry, lean meat, fish, beans, and nuts. These can provide many important nutrients. Finally, the elderly should consider taking whole grains and fortified foods that are rich in fibre and vitamin B.
Of importance to diet and nutrition is the need for exercise. This is helpful in the maintenance of a healthy body weight. Physical activity can help the older adults to stay strong and become independent. It is important to obese individuals as it helps in weight loss that can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases and improve quality of life. Adults of any age require a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical exercise every week. A good work out plan involves being active at least three days a week. The older adults should find an activity that is appropriate for their fitness level. The exercise should be well conducted in such that the ones who are not active, to begin walking or riding a stationary bike. The increase should be gradual and the person should strive to be active for at least 10 minutes a time.
Safety is a major concern in ageing as lack of it can lead to injuries or even death. Falls are categorized as the leading cause of injury to the older adults. The risk of falls increases with age due to environmental hazards, acute illness, overall frailty and weakness, vision problems, acute illness, medications, balance problems, and cognitive difficulty (Jin, 2018). Thus, the older adult requires adequate measures to increase security and safety. First, the surrounding should be prepared for safety. The house should be adequately lit, particularly in the stairwells. Items such as telephones should be placed on a table near the bedside and chair as answering the phone is the leading cause of falls ( Wold, 2013) . The rugs should be well fitted to the floor and fix uneven floors. If there are any spills in the kitchen and bathroom, they should be mopped immediately.
Another measure is to allow adequate time to complete each task or activity ( Wold, 2013) . Rushing may increase the risk of fall. Wearing proper-fitting footwear will help in reducing slips. Low-heeled shoes help reduce the imbalance. Assistive devices are important when necessary to provide security by enlarging the base of support. The equipment should be placed close to reduce reaching or leaning. Importantly, the person should ask for help when in need. They should ask for a recommendation from the doctor or nurse concerning exercises that reduce falls.
Preventing injuries involves maintaining a safe surrounding. All rugs should be firmly fixed to the floor. Decreasing clutter and other dangers may reduce the risk. All the unnecessary items should be thrown out. Shoes, telephone or electric cords, and wastebaskets should be placed out of traffic areas. Grip assistance should be placed where appropriate. In addition, the frequently used items should be placed at shoulder high shelves for easier reach ( Wold, 2013) .
In care centers, older adults should be encouraged to move without hurry and at a comfortable pace. The environment should be modified to reduce risks. To prevent fall, the stairwells should be well lit both day and night ( Wold, 2013) . The staircase and hallways should have handrails for support when walking. Medication carts should be locked and properly stored when idle. No medication should be left on the bedside unless specified by the physician. This is to avoid a person taking medicines meant for another.
References
Cherry, K. A. (2005). Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. Retrieved August , 15 , 2010.
Jin, J. (2018). Prevention of Falls in Older Adults. Jama , 319 (16), 1734-1734.
Wold, G. H. (2013). Basic Geriatric Nursing-E-Book . Elsevier Health Sciences.
