The aging population in the society is one of the most vital demographic changes that affect the American society. It poses significant consequences and challenges for the country's health, economic, and social institutions. It has profound effects on their families. Improved medical advances and standards of living in the control and prevention of diseases that were previously fatal have made it easier for more people to reach an age where they are highly susceptible to mental disorders, heart diseases, arthritis, stroke, cancer and other chronic diseases that may cause total or limited liability. The mortality rate among the elderly people has reduced significantly. Therefore, it is significant to create awareness regarding the health of the elderly and the best techniques of care. Currently, the elderly make about 14% of the population in comparison to 1900 when they only formed 4 % of the population ( Nardi, French, Jones, & McCauley, 2016) . The paper will evaluate the main issues learned in class regarding the elderly.
Five Most Important Things
Item 1- Trends set by the baby boomers
The baby boomers were a generation that was born between the 1940s and 1960s. The generation faced various problems regarding the necessities. The common problems were finding jobs and paying their normal bills ( Perrin, 2005). Due to the prevailing challenges, they were forced to have about two jobs. Furthermore, some had to work even after retirement. Various studies indicate that more than three-quarters of the baby boomer generation looked for jobs after retirement while only a third desired part time jobs.
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How I will apply it in my profession
The knowledge about the baby boomer generation is significant in understanding the elderly who may be forced to work despite their old age. It helps me plan for my future by making adequate savings to ensure that I will not struggle to access basic needs and pay the bills.
Item 2- Types of grand parenting
There are five types of grand parenting: reservoirs of family wisdom, distance figures, formal, fun seekers, and surrogate parents ( Robnett & Chop, 2015) . The reservoirs offer advice; distance figures are far away from the families while the fun seekers are involved in exciting experiences. The surrogate type takes care of their grandchildren while the formal type provides the proper rules regarding grand parenting.
How I will apply it in my profession
Understanding the type of grand parenting is essential in evaluating their illnesses. A grandparent who did not maintain contact with their grandchildren due to various issues such as disagreements or divorce have higher chances of illness, poorer quality of life, poor mental health, feelings of grief, and poor physical health. It assists me to evaluate the role of families especially the grandchildren in assisting the elderly in maintaining quality lives.
Item 3- Loss of senses among the elderly
As the individual ages, the sensory stem, such as touch, vision, smell, hearing, smell, and taste, change over time (Aging changes in the senses, 2017. Due to the changes, it may affect their behavior and lifestyle. The changes can cause problems with physical activities, communication, admiring nature, and eating. If an individual loses one or more senses, they are highly likely to be depressed. Each sense is equally important in maintaining a quality life.
How I will apply it in my profession
The knowledge is important in understanding the common sensory illnesses that affect the elderly. It offers a chance for my profession to assist them through drugs and supplements that can treat their condition or reduce the deterioration of the senses. The senses receive information from the surrounding. The information is in the form of touch, sound, tastes, light, and smell. Vision and hearing are the most affected senses.
Item 4- Good nutrition for the elderly
As the body changes, it is significant to eat healthy food. A good diet for the elderly should have adequate dairy, fruits, grains, and vegetables but less sugar, fat, and sodium. Older adults have higher risks of high blood pressure, heart diseases, celiac diseases, and diabetes ( Special Nutrient Needs of Older Adults, 2015) . The diets should be rich in magnesium, potassium, fiber, and calcium. Their bodies need extra vitamin B and calcium for their bones.
How I will apply it in my profession
The knowledge about nutrition is a significant factor in the health of individuals above age 65. In most case, malnutrition among the elderly is underdiagnosed. A proper nutritional assessment is essential for the successful diagnosis and development of effective treatment plans ( Yamashita, 2013) . Knowledge of nutrition offers the profession with adequate skills regarding nutrition in both the community and hospital settings. The factors considered are dietary recommendations, physiology of aging, screening procedures, and protein under nutrition.
Item 5- Safe sex practices and HIV Prevention
About 25% of people above 50 in the US have HIV. The elderly have higher chances of contracting HIV because are unaware of the infection and do not consider themselves vulnerable to HIV infection ( Scaccabarrozzi & GMHC, 2010) . Furthermore, they rarely go for HIV testing. A minority practice safe sex. The elderly need to be aware of the seriousness and risks of HIV infection.
How I will apply it in my profession
The knowledge about safe sex and HIV is essential in advising the elderly people. When the elderly people are infected with venereal diseases or HIV, their life span is often reduced because of the weakened immune system. Furthermore, the progress from HIV to AIDS among the elderly is quite rapid in comparison to younger people.
Discussion with an Elderly Person
I discussed the paper with my 80-year-old neighbor who has been a friend for many years. He was happy that I had done some research about the elderly. However, he lost his sense of taste but had not visited a clinician. He explained that in most parts of the country, the elderly depended on their children for their social and health welfare but due to globalization, most of the children have moved away, and the elderly are left vulnerable due to inadequate care. Moreover, he argued that there is a need for health policies that will favor the elderly. His two children live in Canada with their families, and he rarely sees his grandchildren. He believes that if his children and grandchildren were around, he would have been happier.
The paper evaluates the five main issues learned in class regarding the elderly. About 40 million or 14% of the population is over the age of 65. Moreover, 10 million live alone, and some may be unable to access adequate care. About 5 million are women older than 75. About 4 million are below the poverty level. It poses significant consequences and challenges for the country’s health, economic, and social institutions. The elderly who did not maintain contact with their grandchildren due to various issues such as disagreements or divorce have higher chances of illness, poorer quality of life, poor mental health, feelings of grief, and poor physical health. It exhibits the importance of relatives in maintaining the quality of life among the elderly. The society should know the nutritional needs of the elderly to prevent the occurrence of some illnesses. Knowledge of the issues facing the elderly is vital for successful diagnosis and development of effective treatment plans ( Lee & Han, 2015) . The population of the elderly in the country will continue increasing. Therefore, the government should come up with better health policies.
References
Aging changes in the senses. (2017, June 5). Retrieved June 16, 2017, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004013.htm
Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning
Furuta, M., Komiya ‐ Nonaka, M., Akifusa, S., Shimazaki, Y., Adachi, M., Kinoshita, T., & Yamashita, Y. (2013). Interrelationship of oral health status, swallowing function, nutritional status, and cognitive ability with activities of daily living in Japanese elderly people receiving home care services due to physical disabilities. Community dentistry and oral epidemiology , 41 (2), 173-181.
Lee, G. Y., & Han, J. A. (2015). Demand for elderly food development: Relation to oral and overall health-Focused on the elderly who are using senior welfare centers in Seoul. Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition , 44 (3), 370-378.
Nardi, M., French, E., Jones, J. B., & McCauley, J. (2016). Medical spending on the US elderly. Fiscal Studies , 37 (3-4), 717-747.
Perrin, T. (2005). Planning for Tomorrow's Talent Needs in Today's Competitive Environment (Rep.). Retrieved June 1, 2017, from https://sharklearn.nova.edu/bbcswebdav/courses/201750_BHS-4110-1_51834/AARP%20WORKERS%20%20REPORT.pdf
Robnett, R. H., & Chop, W. C. (2015). Gerontology for the health care professional .
Scaccabarrozzi, L., & GMHC, F. A. (2010/2011). HIV Prevention and Older Adults. Retrieved July 07, 2017, from http://www.thebody.com/content/64420/hiv-prevention-and-older-adults.html
Special Nutrient Needs of Older Adults. (2015, May 5). Retrieved June 23, 2017, from http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/wellness/healthy-aging/special-nutrient-needs-of-older-adults
