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Issues Affecting the Aged Essay The human being is flesh and blood with built-in sensors and mechanisms, components which enable him to respond to a variety of stimuli that surround him. Being a sensual creature, an individual is confined and dependent to the workings of his body. And because the body ages and deteriorates through time, it is better to know and become aware of the changes that it goes through to be able to help oneself, or a loved one who is already in his/her senior years, when time comes these changes manifest. Because of the fact that the body deteriorates as it ages, this has set limitations to man’s whole physical existence. The world of human anatomy and physiology is such a very interesting subject which every person is at home. All the nooks and crannies in his body speak volumes of significance and relevance to his myriad of experiences that whatever new information is available to be learned on the workings of his physiology, it will be of utmost importance to him. This paper attempts to convey to the reader the most common and prevalent issues which include primarily the changes that are brought upon individuals unique to the stage of human development labeled as the aging years. It therefore seeks to capture the essence of the aging years; their joys and sadness, the struggles and pains, as well as their anticipation of what tomorrow might be with or without a loved one beside them. Discussion Central to understanding the issues pervading the stage of the late adulthood is the fact that many behavioral scientists as well as mainstream science had made significant breakthroughs to enable every person today to have a grasp in understanding what it is like to be an aging person. The following distinctions are made to specifically address many of the issues. A. Biological changes that occur in late childhood and how health and fitness affect the aging process. These physical changes during the so-called sunset years are described and explained in the following important aspects of vision, hearing, and muscles and bones. ~VISION Studies showed that by the age of forty, human eye starts to diminish in its capacity to perceive objects. The reason for this is that at this age (40 years), the pupil of the eye begins to reduce in its size, diminishing its ability to see clearly. In this condition, adults need double or triple amount of illumination to be able to read, distinguish, and even respond to the movements of things around (Smith et al, 1990). This explains why in sports, athletes who are in their late thirties or those who are forty years of age, are considered to be â€Å"old† already, while in other fields, to have reached the fourth decade is to begin life. As is often said, â€Å"life begins at forty† ( Sensory Changes with Aging, http://www. uatpat. org). ~HEARING The prospect of losing one’s hearing is alarming. When still young, people do not entertain such as a possibility. Statistics, however, show that 30% of people over the age of 60 have their hearing ability weakened. As people continue to age to pass more than the age of 70, the problem is getting worse. Thirty three percent of those ages 75 to 84 have hearing impairment, while 50 % of old folks over 85 have lost their hearing altogether. This accounts for the many adjustments a family has to face (Isbell, 2007). Conversations now at this time are difficult. It’s not easy to conduct a conversation with others when there is impairment to one’s hearing. It is embarrassing to the one with the problem, and requires patience and understanding to others (Saxon, 2007). Oftentimes, as a result, older people choose to withdraw themselves from ordinary conversations. At times, old folks avoid giving inappropriate remarks as they were afraid they have misunderstood what was said (Smith, in NIA/NIH, 2007). It usually results in isolation. Solutions to these problems exist and available to help households to cope and thus minimize the potential problems (Saxon, 2007). ~MUSCLES AND BONES Regular exercise does help. Because of the many physical changes that occur in aging, a lot of adjustments as well are in order so that the body is better able to cope with these changes. Two major parts of a person’s physique are affected in the aging process; namely, the muscles and bones. Joints and bones’ structure become rigid with age. This causes a decrease in height, a bent posture, and hence, pronounced limitations in movements. The prospect of these changes, however, need not hinder nor discourage a person to establish or maintain a regular regimen. Though it may now hurt to move and stretch one’s joints, to yield to inactivity will all the more result to deterioration and more agony (Smith, in http://nihseniorhealth. gov/exercise/benefitsofexercise/03. html, 2007). Because the tendency of less and less movement goes with aging, and because calcium (a necessary mineral for the bone) is not absorbed into the bones generously as when younger, the resulting consequence is the brittling of the bones, a common cause of skeletal or bone fracture among the elderly. When ligaments connecting bones lose flexibility, it causes pain and discomfort. Older people as compared to younger ones need more cushioned shoes as the fat between the bones of the foot is becoming thinner (Aging: physical changes). B.Contrast of the overall decline of memory, language processing, and problem solving abilities in late adults with the benefits of practical life experiences they offer. For many of the older or aging individuals the issue about mental health is not affecting them to a significant degree. Problems that commonly beset younger generations such as alcoholism, depression and other illnesses may not necessarily afflict them and in many cases may even be reversed, for instance, dementia, as long as timely treatment is afforded to the patient. Only Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multi-infarct dementia are cases where the patient’s condition is no longer reversible (Papalia et al, 2002). At this stage, what is termed as crystallized intelligence or abilities are more pronounced than fluid intelligence. According to Baltes, the dual-process model which includes the mechanics of intelligence and pragmatics of intelligence are also contrasted during the aging years, with the former in decline and the latter in continuous growth. Another important change includes the gradual slowing down of the rate of information processing due to the reduction of functioning in the nervous system. Although considered an important development aspect, this slowing down is also dependent on certain factors including individuality (Papalia, 2002). In contrast with the general slowing down of these functionings, which includes what is termed as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), the aging years are marked however, with ability to work out interpersonal or emotionally charged problems. There is indeed a great difference to memory especially working memory, or one’s capacity to remember some detailed or events in particular, has sufficiently declined. Other than that, semantic, procedural, sensory, and priming types of memory are comparatively the same with those in the earlier stages (Papalia et al, 2002). C. Biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors that affect people’s ability to cope with dying. People in their aging years are in most cases individuals constantly aware of their mortality. However, the more the aging person is exposed to a variety of influences, his/her attitude with regards to his/her own death and more so with a spouse or loved one who’s gone on ahead will be greatly impacted. Research reveals that profound loneliness is one of the greatest struggles or burdens that a widow or widower faces especially that in countries like the United States people in their old age live away from their children or direct relatives. Although this is true, adjusting to loss is a lot different to this particular age compared to those who encounter bereavement in the younger years. More specifically, studies show that there are certain personalities too that account for many of those who were able to cope better in the wake of the death of a loved one like the spouse. People who have high self-esteem, the more outgoing types, are said to be more resilient, although men are still at risk (mentally and physically)compared with women where gender is the issue as men tend to be more dependent emotionally on their wives (Berk, 2004 in Ferraro, 2001) and as they are less religious than women in general Berk, 2004 in Lee et al. 2001). Moreover, Caucasians versus their African-American counterparts succumb to mental illness and disturbances due to the family constellation difference: the former living more solitary existence whereas the latter have connectedness or extended families as well as church relationships (Berk, 2004 in Balaswamy Richardson, 2001). D. How grieving the loss of a loved one is influenced by individual and circumstantial factors. Specifically, as mentioned in the preceding page on how a person in the aging years cope with the death and dying, the individual’s response at this stage to the loss of the loved one depends on a lot of factors. Conclusion Recommendation Devolution and not evolution is the fact of life. There’s no point arguing the fact that we (as years eat its way into our bodies) are decaying, so to speak. To some, who were once strong and athletic, the reality of losing one’s vigor seems unacceptable. It’s hard to swallow the negative realism of aging. The simple chores that once were indeed â€Å"simple† have now become impossible tasks to some of us who were once upon a time, mighty competitors in some events in sports. Running may not be advisable anymore. Walking, the most common movement to a normal functioning individual is difficult when arthritis has already crept into his joints (Smith et al, 2007 in http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004023. htm). Physical changes are natural occurrences of wear and tear and are included in the order of things since time immemorial (Smith, Suzanna et al in Rantanen et al, 1997). This is one of nature’s physical laws that no matter how many technological breakthroughs have been discovered and come to the forefront of human existence, up till now, the best of these man-made intelligent inventions are not able to arrest these signs of deterioration. A senior citizen has to deal with problems such as high blood pressure, the cumulative effects of fatty deposits or cholesterol build up, some parts of the body that almost do not work anymore, and those parts that work may incur pain and a degree of discomfort (University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)). Physical activity as mentioned, have some benefits to slow down degenerative disorders but are not designed to reverse the course of aging. What is more tragic at times is, whenever people realize that the symptoms of aging are already there, it’s too late for them. They are now coping with regrets for earlier times and opportunities that had passed; these were opportunities supposed to avert and prevent the speedy physical breakdown and enjoy more quality of life in their later years. Reference: Berk, Laura E. 2004. Development Through the Lifespan. Allyn Bacon, Pearson Education.Aging: physical changes. University of Iowa, Hospital and Clinics Accessed in http://www. uihealthcare. com/topics/aging/agin4120. html April 19, 2007. Saxon, Sue et al. Physical Change And Aging. A Guide For The Helping Professions, 4th Edition GNP Originally published by The Tiresias Press, Inc. Accessed in http://www. aginginplace. org/traits/sensory/ April 19, 2007. Isbell, Lou. Physical Changes in Aging. Accessed April 19, 2007 in http://extension. missouri. edu/explore/hesguide/humanrel/gh6729. htm Papalia, Diane E, Sally W. Olds, Ruth Duskin Feldman. 2002. Human Development 8th Ed.