Assignment:
You to make some comments in the following peers, the comments should be a minimum of one short paragraph. Whether you agree or disagree, explain why with supporting evidence and concepts from the readings or a related experience. Include a reference, link, or citation when appropriate.
Review the CHAPTER - TYPICAL PHYSICAL AGING
Question: Physical changes
You read about the various changes that happen to the body as one grows older. How do you think these changes affect the person psychologically? What about how they affect him/her socially? Which changes do you feel would be the most challenging to deal with? What would you recommend to someone who is experiencing these changes?
Bellow is what my peers wrote based on the above question:
Peer-1
As we have learned from this week's material all of the human body functions experience decline during aging. Even the healthiest people begin aging and loss of different physical functions at one point or another. From physical appearance to eyesight and hearing the elderly begin the end of their journey. All these changes can evoke fear, regret, despair or other negative emotions or states. Older people are not able to participate in the activities they once loved and even walking down the street slowly is becoming a difficult task. They become less active socially for the simple reason of difficulty of getting places or even having a conversation. Younger relatives are always in a rush and have little time for them due to busy modern life schedules. It is hard to pin point one particular change that would be more challenging than the other. It would be highly individual preference. For those who have many close family members that they stay connected to, the decrease in eyesight would be more challenging. In contrary, to those who feel lonely and the only option to socialize is to walk to a certain place but they can't do it, presents the biggest challenge of all. Therefore, my recommendation to older people would be not to make physical abilities their main focus in life. Clinging to something that is out of your control won't lead the person anywhere. We can improve our health, but we still can't keep it forever. The best option would be is focusing on the inner strength and embracing the inevitable without fear and regret. Maybe it's time to forgive and let go, or maybe spend more time on praying or meditating, may be someone needs an advice from that older person who hopefully gained some wisdom through out his or her life. In addition I would suggest to enjoy what they have, which could be their grandchildren, or love for art, or beautiful sunsets, and not focusing on what they can't do anymore. If there are no close relatives, there are always older people in the same situation who can be reached out to to share the experience. Learn more about this stage and appreciate it.
References: Mason, Marion (2011), Adulthood and Aging, Allyn & Bacon publishers
Peer-2
This week we learned that a lot of physical changes occur when you age, even if you are "healthy" or age less then others, this has to occur with everyone. Physical changes may involve problems with the "five senses," so touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight all get worse as you age. A lot of physical ailments may occur due to an injurty that may happen, so you may not be able to do the things that you used to due. Negative emotions may occur from being upset with physical changes. With the physical changes also come a need for a lifestyle change, which may affect mobility and other things. An aging person may need to look into a care giver or look into assisted living because of this.
Physical changes are sadly inevitable, but the best thing that you can do to is to be as healthy as possible from a young age on to your aging. Of course, that means being safe while being physical and consulting a doctor may be important to do as well.
PEER -3
With any kinds of changes in life some people are naturally better able to handle them and adjust, while others are more impacted and need more time and assistance in adjusting. I think that the same would apply to changes that occur within our bodies as we age. It is easy to understand how physical changes can affect a person psychologically in a negative way. Our society is quite focused on youthfulness and ways to look young, and whether that message is received directly from peers or subliminally through advertising we have all received it to one extent or another. Thus, changes such as wrinkles or gray hair are a constant reminder that one is older and not as youthful. People are also aware that those are the changes most noticed by other people, and they might worry about what people are thinking about them.
Vision loss and hearing loss can easily lead to frustration and misunderstanding. I personally have terrible vision and I found out at a young age that temporarily misplacing my glasses leads me to feel edgy, frustrated and disorientated. My most valued physical possession, by far, is my pair of glasses, because without them nothing much is useful to me. It is therefore no surprise to me that vision loss leads to depression (Mason, 2011), because it can impair every aspect of our lives. The fact that it is mistaken for cognitive decline makes sense, as we often forget how much of what we do depends upon our vision.
Changes in balance and movement and muscle strength can affect all activities, and mundane tasks like getting in and out of a car can become quite difficult. Changes that affect our physical health such as heart disease or loss of bone density not only lead to increased medical care and medications but I think they also serve as a constant reminder that life is not infinite, and that can be psychologically difficult for people to handle. None of us are guaranteed to have tomorrow, but I think that the symptoms of aging make that idea less abstract and more concrete.
I think that all changes that happen as people age can affect them socially in many ways. They can feel less confident due to changes in appearances which might make them want to socialize less. They may want to avoid people if they have a hard time hearing what they are saying and want to avoid frustration, and they may no longer want to leave their homes as much because it can become an ordeal due to loss of mobility.
Across the board, a healthy diet and exercise are recommended to help with all symptoms of aging (Mason, 2011), which makes sense as it is important for people of all ages. If seniors are experiencing particular difficulty with physical health, muscle deterioration and balance then I think they should seek activities that are particularly geared for them, such as exercise classes that will not put undue strain on them. I also think that there might be benefits in socializing with both people their age and younger people as well. I think that socializing with others who are going through the same things and can empathize would help with loneliness. At the same time, I think that for this exact same reason it would also be helpful to be around younger people as well - because they are not focused on aging and their interests could allow a person to focus on other things and perhaps feel more youthful. In addition, I think that people should not be ashamed to ask for help where it is needed.
Reference:Mason, M.G. (2011). Adulthood and Aging. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon