Aging Process    

Aging Process

The aging process comes with changes in physiological, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social practices. There are several characteristics associated with the aging process, which involve decline cognitive activities, failure to perform daily activities adequately, increasing the vulnerability to disease, and, in other cases, disability (Vaz et al., 2019). The more people advance in aging process, there are chances that chronic diseases risk increases due to weak immunity. Also, the cardiovascular system is affected since the blood vessels stiffen which can lead to blood pressure. Also, the muscles and the bones become weaker which result to poor function of normal activities. Some even show signs of inability to hold urine due to increased elasticity of the bladder. The brain also has changes that are seen through some show memory loss, and thinking skills are impaired. The impairment of senses can also result in hearing and eyesight problems. Also, they have wrinkles as a result to skin loosing fats and elasticity.

Some characteristics, such as memory loss and vulnerability to illnesses, can lead to abuse of the elderly (Ellis et al., 2017). The abusers take advantage of the impairment of hearing, thinking, and seeing to make sure they control the relationship with the elderly. They use coercive tactics to gain whatever they want from them. Further, due to weakening muscles and bones, they may be subjected to physical abuse. Mostly the abusers are family members or dependant of the aged person. The vulnerability and increased risk of illness can lead to neglect. People do not want to take responsibility and incur substantial hospital bills. Other older adults are not provided with adequate care. Therefore there are types of considerations to ensure a comprehensive assessment of a geriatric patient as compared to middle-aged adults. The health assessment should focus on history about health records, cultural views, mental status, and medications. More attention needs to be given to vision and hearing, level of disability, and skin changes. A comprehensive geriatric assessment helps in identifying psychosocial and functional limitations to maximize the overall health of a person (Ellis et al., 2017). The consideration of cultural view helps to administer the right treatment and ensuring that they do not resist treatment due to cultural barriers.

References

Ellis, G., Gardner, M., Tsiachristas, A., Langhorne, P., Burke, O., Harwood, R. H., … & Wald, H. (2017). Comprehensive geriatric assessment for older adults admitted to hospital. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (9).

Vaz, C. T., de Souza Andrade, A. C., Proietti, F. A., Xavier, C. C., de Lima Friche, A. A., & Caiaffa, W. T. (2019). A multilevel model of life satisfaction among old people: individual characteristics and neighborhood physical disorder. BMC public health, 19(1), 861.