In caring
for the aged, one of the important aspect is to be able to maintain
independence of mind and body and doing this, it is important for the old
person to spend his or her last days in their own home and familiar environment
where he/she knows everybody. Usually, they become lonely and homesick and
instead of pleasure, they become depressed. Therefore, the best approach will
be take them for a short holiday and take them back home.
for the aged, one of the important aspect is to be able to maintain
independence of mind and body and doing this, it is important for the old
person to spend his or her last days in their own home and familiar environment
where he/she knows everybody. Usually, they become lonely and homesick and
instead of pleasure, they become depressed. Therefore, the best approach will
be take them for a short holiday and take them back home.
1.
Hobbies
and occupations will give the old person self satisfaction because it makes him
or her feel they are still productive and still wanted. Some of them can still
voluntary work.
Hobbies
and occupations will give the old person self satisfaction because it makes him
or her feel they are still productive and still wanted. Some of them can still
voluntary work.
2.
Prevention
of chronic illness through regular medial check-up and health education.
Prevention
of chronic illness through regular medial check-up and health education.
3.
Health
education on diet, personal hygiene and prevention of accidents in the house or
at house.
Health
education on diet, personal hygiene and prevention of accidents in the house or
at house.
4.
Provision
of hospital beds where those who have chronic illness can remain unmolested
because of the need for hospital bed.
Provision
of hospital beds where those who have chronic illness can remain unmolested
because of the need for hospital bed.
In some
parts of the world hostel accommodation are provided for old people (old people’s
home). Here they looked after and it also gives them the opportunity of meeting
other people of their age group. Therefore, it prevents loneliness, poor diet,
and financial problems.
parts of the world hostel accommodation are provided for old people (old people’s
home). Here they looked after and it also gives them the opportunity of meeting
other people of their age group. Therefore, it prevents loneliness, poor diet,
and financial problems.
Other ways of helping the aged include
i.
Organization
of old people/s club
Organization
of old people/s club
ii.
Organization
of holiday for old people
Organization
of holiday for old people
iii.
Visitation
them in the homes.
Visitation
them in the homes.
iv.
Provisions
of employment for those are able.
Provisions
of employment for those are able.
Accessing these services presents additional
challenges due to physiological changes common in old age, including mobility
limitations, cognitive changes, and greater need for medical care (Oswald et
al., 2011). The age of 65 years
as a definition of “elderly” or older person (WHO: 2012) defines old age as, “any age after
fifty”, where pension schemes mostly, are used, it is usually, age 60 or
65 years for eligibility. (Scottish Government: 1972) The term ageism, is
defined as process of discrimination and stereotyping against people because of
their age. Around a quarter of older adults in the UK, report having
experienced age discrimination. It affects many institutions in society and has
a number of dimensions, such as job discrimination, loss of status,
stereotyping and dehumanization.
challenges due to physiological changes common in old age, including mobility
limitations, cognitive changes, and greater need for medical care (Oswald et
al., 2011). The age of 65 years
as a definition of “elderly” or older person (WHO: 2012) defines old age as, “any age after
fifty”, where pension schemes mostly, are used, it is usually, age 60 or
65 years for eligibility. (Scottish Government: 1972) The term ageism, is
defined as process of discrimination and stereotyping against people because of
their age. Around a quarter of older adults in the UK, report having
experienced age discrimination. It affects many institutions in society and has
a number of dimensions, such as job discrimination, loss of status,
stereotyping and dehumanization.
Ageism is
also about assuming that all older people are the same despite different life
histories, needs and expectation. (Phillipson: 2011). The policy, All Our
Future also (Scottish Government: 2007) indicates that over the age of fifty,
is a stage where life circumstances start to change in ways that can be
significant for the future. An example of this can be; children leave home,
change in working patterns, people have less work and more time for themselves.
In addition, from fifty onwards, this can be a time when physical health may
deteriorate, causing possible health problems, such as, osteoporosis,
osteoarthritis or coronary heart disease.
also about assuming that all older people are the same despite different life
histories, needs and expectation. (Phillipson: 2011). The policy, All Our
Future also (Scottish Government: 2007) indicates that over the age of fifty,
is a stage where life circumstances start to change in ways that can be
significant for the future. An example of this can be; children leave home,
change in working patterns, people have less work and more time for themselves.
In addition, from fifty onwards, this can be a time when physical health may
deteriorate, causing possible health problems, such as, osteoporosis,
osteoarthritis or coronary heart disease.
What is
more, the state of general health overall, decreases substantially, people face
changes in appearance, their physical state deteriorates and they are not as
fit as they used to be. Surely, this must be difficult to accept! However,
ageing can also cause some psychological effects, such as, changes in memory
function, a decline in intellectual abilities, or even memory loss. As a result
of a degenerative condition of brain’s nerve cells or brain disorders, many
people may develop dementia, Alzheimer or Parkinson disease. Wilson et al.
(2008) who draws attention to physical, biological and psychological effects of
the ageing, pointing out that ageing is not itself a disease, but some specific
diseases may be associated with this process.
more, the state of general health overall, decreases substantially, people face
changes in appearance, their physical state deteriorates and they are not as
fit as they used to be. Surely, this must be difficult to accept! However,
ageing can also cause some psychological effects, such as, changes in memory
function, a decline in intellectual abilities, or even memory loss. As a result
of a degenerative condition of brain’s nerve cells or brain disorders, many
people may develop dementia, Alzheimer or Parkinson disease. Wilson et al.
(2008) who draws attention to physical, biological and psychological effects of
the ageing, pointing out that ageing is not itself a disease, but some specific
diseases may be associated with this process.
Older
people are a group that used to be in a marginal concern in the social work
profession, but has recently moved to one of central importance. (Phillipson:
2011) This is caused by the remarkable speed of demographical change. The
number of older people is increasing, both in absolute numbers, and as a
proportion of the total population. The ageing of the population indicates two
main factors: the downward trend in the birth rate, and improvements in life
expectancy.
people are a group that used to be in a marginal concern in the social work
profession, but has recently moved to one of central importance. (Phillipson:
2011) This is caused by the remarkable speed of demographical change. The
number of older people is increasing, both in absolute numbers, and as a
proportion of the total population. The ageing of the population indicates two
main factors: the downward trend in the birth rate, and improvements in life
expectancy.
To
understand the current role of social work within society and wider policy
framework, particularly with older people, it is important to analyse the past
that has reflected on contemporary practice. By the 1960s, more attention was
beginning to be paid to the social consequences of capitalism, that started to
be seen as the economic order of an unequal and unfair society. The strong
critique of that system is known as radical social work, that grew on the
ideology of Marxism.
understand the current role of social work within society and wider policy
framework, particularly with older people, it is important to analyse the past
that has reflected on contemporary practice. By the 1960s, more attention was
beginning to be paid to the social consequences of capitalism, that started to
be seen as the economic order of an unequal and unfair society. The strong
critique of that system is known as radical social work, that grew on the
ideology of Marxism.
Social
work makes a key contribution to tackle these issues by working with other
agencies to deliver coordinated support to increase the wellbeing of older
people. In terms of needs and issues when working with older people, the first
thing to consider is the partnership of health and social care, especially
within areas such as: assessment, care management, intermediate care and
hospital discharge. The main problems are, tight budgets, resources and
reconciliation of financial responsibility between bodies. Which always raises
dispute who should pay for services. Wilson et al. (2008) stresses the
importance of rationing services in social work, due to a low budget, which
leads to delays in provision of services, and lack of time to develop more
creative forms of practice. This causes unnecessary delays and constraints.
work makes a key contribution to tackle these issues by working with other
agencies to deliver coordinated support to increase the wellbeing of older
people. In terms of needs and issues when working with older people, the first
thing to consider is the partnership of health and social care, especially
within areas such as: assessment, care management, intermediate care and
hospital discharge. The main problems are, tight budgets, resources and
reconciliation of financial responsibility between bodies. Which always raises
dispute who should pay for services. Wilson et al. (2008) stresses the
importance of rationing services in social work, due to a low budget, which
leads to delays in provision of services, and lack of time to develop more
creative forms of practice. This causes unnecessary delays and constraints.
The next
issue is the assessment and intervention process, that are seen as balance between
needs and resources, evidence and relationship based practice. It can be an
issue to find appropriate resources that will meet the needs of the individual.
A major element during assessment is the relationship with service user, and
that the appropriate methods of communication are adopted to identify the needs
of older people. The practitioner must take the time to get know the older
person and resist pressure from other professionals to do a quick assessment
issue is the assessment and intervention process, that are seen as balance between
needs and resources, evidence and relationship based practice. It can be an
issue to find appropriate resources that will meet the needs of the individual.
A major element during assessment is the relationship with service user, and
that the appropriate methods of communication are adopted to identify the needs
of older people. The practitioner must take the time to get know the older
person and resist pressure from other professionals to do a quick assessment
The
problem of autonomy and protection is another factor in the relationship when
working with older people. This raises the question of capacity, consent and
the deprivation of liberty of older people. This group of service users is
often a subject of legislation that deprives their human rights, this is
because they are likely to be affected by cognitive disorder such as dementia.
The term dementia, includes Alzheimer’s disease, vascular and unspecified
dementia, as well as dementia in other diseases such as Parkinson’s
problem of autonomy and protection is another factor in the relationship when
working with older people. This raises the question of capacity, consent and
the deprivation of liberty of older people. This group of service users is
often a subject of legislation that deprives their human rights, this is
because they are likely to be affected by cognitive disorder such as dementia.
The term dementia, includes Alzheimer’s disease, vascular and unspecified
dementia, as well as dementia in other diseases such as Parkinson’s
Another
issue is abuse of older people, which may have many forms, and can be very
severe in extend. Older people are vulnerable to abuse, or indeed, not having
their rights fully respected and protected. The problem came to public
awareness not as long as few years ago.
issue is abuse of older people, which may have many forms, and can be very
severe in extend. Older people are vulnerable to abuse, or indeed, not having
their rights fully respected and protected. The problem came to public
awareness not as long as few years ago.
Age
discrimination is next issue one wish to consider, older people are
disadvantaged because of their relatively low socio-political and cultural
status in a contemporary society. They are repeatedly presented as a drain on
resources as they no longer actively contribute to the growth of society. They
do not work and do not pay taxes anymore. Older people are systematically
disadvantaged by the status they now occupy within society. Old age is
“socially constructed”. A good example of this is retirement, which
officially, makes people old and unavailable to work, despite the actual
physical and emotional state of the individual.
discrimination is next issue one wish to consider, older people are
disadvantaged because of their relatively low socio-political and cultural
status in a contemporary society. They are repeatedly presented as a drain on
resources as they no longer actively contribute to the growth of society. They
do not work and do not pay taxes anymore. Older people are systematically
disadvantaged by the status they now occupy within society. Old age is
“socially constructed”. A good example of this is retirement, which
officially, makes people old and unavailable to work, despite the actual
physical and emotional state of the individual.
Other
forms of social construction that significantly affect the experience of old
age are class, gender, race and ethnicity. An illustration of this can be the
statement that older people have much more in common with younger people from
their class, than they do with older people from other classes. Disadvantages
and inequalities, experiences during life can magnified during the process of ageing,
through differences in access to health facilities, health status and lifestyle
that may influence life expectancy. There is no doubt that experience of ageing
is subjective, and depends on many factors, but it seems to be a matter to
firstly, consider class, gender and race at the first place. When discussing
poverty and inequalities, the points to bear in mind are issues of
discrimination of older women, who are less likely to have as great a pension
as a male partner, due to the fact many women are paid a lower wage then men.
Moreover, women tend to live longer than men, therefore, are potentially more
vulnerable to live alone and in poverty.
forms of social construction that significantly affect the experience of old
age are class, gender, race and ethnicity. An illustration of this can be the
statement that older people have much more in common with younger people from
their class, than they do with older people from other classes. Disadvantages
and inequalities, experiences during life can magnified during the process of ageing,
through differences in access to health facilities, health status and lifestyle
that may influence life expectancy. There is no doubt that experience of ageing
is subjective, and depends on many factors, but it seems to be a matter to
firstly, consider class, gender and race at the first place. When discussing
poverty and inequalities, the points to bear in mind are issues of
discrimination of older women, who are less likely to have as great a pension
as a male partner, due to the fact many women are paid a lower wage then men.
Moreover, women tend to live longer than men, therefore, are potentially more
vulnerable to live alone and in poverty.
There are
many forms of disadvantage associated with older people in poverty such as; low
income, low wealth and pension, debts or financial difficulties, feelings of
being “worse off”, financial exclusion, material deprivation and a
cold home.
many forms of disadvantage associated with older people in poverty such as; low
income, low wealth and pension, debts or financial difficulties, feelings of
being “worse off”, financial exclusion, material deprivation and a
cold home.
It can be
argued that one of the main needs of older people is the importance of active
listening to this group of service users, who are often because of age ignored
or disregarded. Personalisation enables
the individual to participate and to be actively involved in the delivery of
services. Personalisation also means that people become more involved in how
services are designed by shaping and selecting services to receive support that
is most suited to them.
argued that one of the main needs of older people is the importance of active
listening to this group of service users, who are often because of age ignored
or disregarded. Personalisation enables
the individual to participate and to be actively involved in the delivery of
services. Personalisation also means that people become more involved in how
services are designed by shaping and selecting services to receive support that
is most suited to them.
In
conclusion, there is a shift from a paternalistic stance of social workers to
viewing service user as experts of their own lives. From institutional care,
through service led and needs led, to outcomes focus provision. A fundamental
part of working with older people is to recognise and respond to the way in
which they may be marginalized. This can be achieved by a deeper understanding
of the process of ageing, and the issues that older people may face. Working
with older people, based on new premises, will be focused on to maximise
resources, and the role of the social worker will be transferred from care
management to advocacy and brokerage. One may expect that active involvement
and participation of older people in service provision will have a crucial role
not only by exercising more control and choice but also in challenging social
exclusion
conclusion, there is a shift from a paternalistic stance of social workers to
viewing service user as experts of their own lives. From institutional care,
through service led and needs led, to outcomes focus provision. A fundamental
part of working with older people is to recognise and respond to the way in
which they may be marginalized. This can be achieved by a deeper understanding
of the process of ageing, and the issues that older people may face. Working
with older people, based on new premises, will be focused on to maximise
resources, and the role of the social worker will be transferred from care
management to advocacy and brokerage. One may expect that active involvement
and participation of older people in service provision will have a crucial role
not only by exercising more control and choice but also in challenging social
exclusion
