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Elderly abuse and aging. Stages of Adulthood. Young adulthood: Ages 19-40 Develop intimacy ; close personal relationships Middle adulthood: Ages 40-65 Develop a sense of having contributed to society Late adulthood: Ages 65 – death 13.3% of population (2011)
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Stages of Adulthood • Young adulthood: Ages 19-40 • Develop intimacy; close personal relationships • Middle adulthood: Ages 40-65 • Develop a sense of having contributed to society • Late adulthood: Ages 65 – death • 13.3% of population (2011) • Goal is to feel satisfied with his/her life • Tries to understand purpose of his/her life
Young Adulthood • Marriage?? • Parenthood??
Middle Adulthood • Health concerns (eyesight, hearing, bones, heart disease, cancer, etc.) • Physical transitions (menopause) • Mental transitions • Emotional transitions • Social transitions
Late Adulthood • Health concerns (eyesight, hearing, bones, heart disease, cancer, etc.) • Physical transitions • Mental transitions • Emotional transitions • Social transitions • Financial Planning
Gerontology • Branch of science dealing with aging & problems of the aging population • Gerontologists – people who study aging • Geriatrics – branch of medicine that deals with the problems & diseases of old age/aging people
Mental Aspects of Aging • Dementia – the loss of mental functions such as thinking, memory, and reasoning that is severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily functioning • Alzheimer’s disease – most common form of dementia (4.5 million Americans suffer)
Caring for the elderly • Nursing home – usually for the elderly who need assistance • Adult day care – similar to child day care • Retirement communities – age minimum; smaller homes (one floor); for active, healthy adults • In-home care – ramps; increased lighting; expanded door ways; lower cabinets • Hospice – program that helps the dying patient and family members
Elder Abuse • The abuse or neglect of older family members • Can occur both within the family and in institutional settings (nursing homes) • Physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse
Types of Elderly Mistreatment • Neglect – caregiver fails to provide care & services which threatens health • Abuse – physical, emotional, or sexual • Exploitation – misusing or stealing financial resources/funds • Abandonment – desertion of an older adult by a caretaker • Most of the mistreatment/elderly abuse occurs at home by family members
Characteristics & Signs of Elderly Mistreatment • Bruises, broken bones, abrasions • Poor hygiene • Malnourished/dehydrated • Over/under medicated • Anxious • Timid • Depressed • Seldom seen/never seen • Missing glasses, dentures, hearing aids, etc.
Older Adult Protective Service Act • Established in 1988 • Provides protective services to those elderly people who seem to be in danger or harm • 60 or older • Must be lacking in responsibility, incapacitated, or at risk or danger