Introduction
Aging is a natural stage of human growth, although the term often refers to people in their retirement years. Genetic and environmental factors, including life experiences, support systems, and coping skills, influence the changes that occur during aging. According to Nyberg & Pudas (2019), there is a sizable genetic influence on cognitive aging, but the environment also has an impact. Other factors that may also contribute include the nature of a person’s occupation and diet (Giampapa, 2022).
Primary aging happens as a result of cellular changes occurring within the body. Secondary aging is accelerated aging caused by environmental problems. People experience physical, psychological, social, and spiritual changes as they age.
Jaiswal & Ebert (2019) explain that physical activity often decreases, and one becomes more vulnerable to illnesses due to the degeneration of various body systems, including the brain, respiratory, musculoskeletal systems, and cardiovascular diseases. Sensory capabilities like hearing, vision, touch, taste, and smell also decline, with hearing and vision loss causing the most problems. These deteriorations increase the likelihood of physical illnesses, affect their ability to perform daily tasks, compromise their safety, and limit communication.
Group work has become common, and its effects are visible in the community. Centers for the mentally ill, battered women, and now shelters for older people are all run by groups (Merchant & Yozamp, 2013). The life expectancy of people living now has consequently improved. According to Suter (2020), when comparing people who lived in the 16th century to the current, life expectancy has increased by nearly 20 years due to the improved life care system, technological advancement, and social care improvements.
Rationale
The term “aging” is often used to paint a negative impression, but when combined with the word “successful,” it takes on a positive meaning that can lead to positive long-term outcomes for individuals. A paper published by Teater & Chonody (2020) explains that successful aging occurs in midlife and late adulthood. In particular, it refers to an individual’s ability to maintain control, attain the set goals, and maximize success while compensating for failures.
According to Riggins & Bauer (2022), such an accomplishment is the ultimate goal for those in their later years, which is of great interest to developmental scientists. Those who strive for successful aging possess characteristics that promote good health, social engagement, productive activities, and high physical and cognitive functioning. Scientists have found that the factors that contribute to life satisfaction are those that an individual can control, such as healthy habits, stable relationships, education, and coping strategies (Bull, 2020). On the other hand, factors outside of an individual’s control do not predict happiness or life satisfaction.
Due to physiological changes as they age, people are more susceptible to chronic illnesses and dependence. Studies by the World Health Organization have shown that many individuals over 60 experience difficulties such as hearing loss, vision loss, and mobility issues (Rudnicka et al., 2020). As individuals age, they often pay less attention to their health and well-being, leading to significant physical and psychological issues. Aging is an inevitable and natural process of the human body that leads to various changes, which the science of gerontology studies.
As people age, their health declines, and unhealthy lifestyles can result in deficiency diseases. Some of the most noticeable changes in the elderly include sagging skin, hair loss, and changes in skin pigmentation. With age, they may exercise less, which also decreases their metabolism and can cause weight gain. This added weight can result in various problems due to the weakened immune system of older individuals.
There is a need for this study due to socio-cultural changes prevalent in the current decade. Nevertheless, they remain a living reservoir of knowledge from all the experiences they have encountered in the walks of life. George & Wilding (2023) mention that joint families were prevalent in the past, with many family members living together. As a result, elderly individuals were well cared for by their family members, and even after retirement, they could stay engaged in activities like shopping and spending time with their grandchildren. However, this trend has changed with the rise of nuclear families and, in some cases, family members living abroad for work.
Due to this, elderly individuals may feel lonely and neglected, leading to the establishment of nursing homes as a solution. However, it is vital to prioritize strengthening the family bond and maintaining a strong family system to ensure a healthy and happy aging process for older people. Nursing homes should only be considered as a last resort.
The national healthcare provision has been enhanced to serve older people better (Al-Khafajiy et al., 2019). The improvement is meant to create a comprehensive and cost-effective healthcare system for the aging. These care systems or locations are conveniently accessible, affordable, and tailored to the many distinct needs of older people. They have also been subjected to both physical and mental torture. Since many families are ill-equipped to care for older people, they are always hospitalized, which is unacceptable to them.
The shift from joint to nuclear families has significantly impacted older people due to changes in societal and cultural norms. Older people are often left alone and neglected in small-sized families with children constantly pursuing higher education or working abroad. While some children may still provide financial support, many do not offer care. It leads to feelings of loneliness and depression and an increased focus on health problems. Economic constraints and labeling exacerbate the social issues of older people. Analyzing the concept of aging from a cognitive point of view, it is evident that this is among the social challenges.
Organization
Group Participants
The participants of this group are individuals advanced in age, primarily those currently operating under retirement schemes.
Type of Membership
The membership is solely meant for the aging class, although some participants responsible for caring for older people are younger.
Screening
Aging care is an adult benevolent scheme; therefore, those who benefit are aging. They are seen to help in different dimensions, ranging from physical well-being, spiritual nourishment, socio-cultural engagement, and mental stability. They get their minds off the seemingly careless nature of some of their families and feel the warmth of their common good.
Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Well-Being
It is a subjective experience that can mean different things to different people. It is the feeling of wellness that an individual has in their life’s psychological, social, spiritual, and behavioral aspects. It is measured through a modified self-reported psycho-social well-being assessment scale.
- Cognitive Well-Being: reflects an individual’s ability to think, perceive, remember, and learn.
- Emotional Well-Being: reflects how positively an individual feels, perceives, and reacts to internal and external stimuli. It can be measured by monitoring changes in heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure.
- Social Well-Being: reflects an individual’s ability to interact with others, adjust to different situations, maintain a positive social status, and participate in group activities.
- Spiritual Well-Being: reflects an individual’s perception of God and the importance of prayer in life.
Relaxation Techniques
These are exercises designed to ease the mind and body by reducing stress and lowering blood pressure, respiration, and pulse rate, relaxing the muscles, and reducing emotional strain. In this study, the relaxation techniques used are deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation techniques.
Role of the Leader and Group Leadership
The leaders are trained to help the elderly develop their confidentiality just as they would if they were in the normal atmosphere of their daily activities. It is often observed that older people feel some degree of embarrassment or retaliation when they are asked about themselves.
Group Goals
Goal Objective
The most important goal is to listen to their stories and train them to listen, demonstrating that their needs are well handled. It would also be essential to help them solve some of their problems and challenges. Several theories can help understand how to set the appropriate goals and provide the best assistance.
The human needs theory suggests that human behavior is motivated by five basic needs, which change as a person ages. These include physiological needs, safety and security, love and belongingness, self-esteem, and actualization. The rule in the group is to consider only individuals above the age of 65 years as aged.
Themes and Theories
The lifespan development theory, which emerged in the 1980s, focuses on the interconnectedness of the individual and society. It divides the life course into predictable stages based on goals, relationships, and internal values rather than just focusing on personality development. The Disengagement Theory suggests that as people age, they tend to withdraw from society and experience lessening relationships with others. The aging individual or society may initiate this process, and it may be partial or total. However, this theory does not consider the large number of older people who remain engaged with society.
Materials
There shall be four sessions, the first being “initial” for introductory remarks and instructions. The second will be a “transition” session, where the participants will shift from the previous activity. Working will be the third stage, which shall be active and preferably performed outdoors. The last will be the “final” session for recap and rejuvenation.
Conducting physical exercises like outdoor jogging to enhance the members’ fitness will be appropriate. The exercise will require a few materials for indoor activities. Such incorporation of active exercise helps normal body functions and promotes social interaction among the aging group, thereby making life appear normal.
Description
The exercise will help assess the participants’ abilities and areas where they could be in greater need of assistance. Some of the questions that can be applied to assess the performance of the exercises are as follows. How prevalent were the participants during the exercise? Or did anyone experience any difficulty during and after the exercise was conducted?
Such questions will help evaluate how to handle the participants and the kind of special attention they will receive. Those who never encountered challenges during the exercise will be granted more freedom and less supervision than those who experienced challenges. Some will be given specific caregivers to handle them based on the severity of their situation.
Leader’s Role
The role of the leader is to conduct overall supervision in his area of jurisdiction, ensuring that the appropriate care is given and careful observation is taken and noted down. He also ensures fair treatment is given to all the participants, despite their various needs. The leader will also listen to the request, identify the older adults’ needs, and provide the required necessities to the caregivers. He will take charge of staff administration and assign duties so shifts can run smoothly 24 hours a day. The aim would be to make the participants as comfortable as they would have been with their families.
Group Outcomes and Evaluation
Given that the senior population is expected to grow, appropriate measures must be implemented to give older people a dignified existence. According to various academics, the projected value of the group exhibits a shift in trend, which includes a growth in the general number of women working outside the home and their participation in the labor force, among other variables. Although various official healthcare services are available for older people, friends and family remain the primary carers for approximately 80% of the senior population. A person-centered, integrated approach to elderly care must be understood, designed, and implemented.
One anticipated problem is that people are different, but the expectancy of death is inevitable, and society and the individual have agreed. Even though social standards may be regulated through various encounters, disengagement is a never-ending process. The group objectives will be evaluated based on the various social standards. The two genders are set to disengage in multiple ways according to their societal responsibilities. Disengagement from society is influenced not just by one’s gender but also by one’s ego.
Finally, an absence of an optimum exercise program and diet also tends to raise fat deposits in the blood arteries of the elderly, putting them at an increased risk of ‘coronary artery disease,’ generally known as heart disease. The efficiency of the breathing system also declines, resulting in breathing difficulties. This significant increase in the senior population is expected to increase demand for healthcare services for this generally fragile and dependent demographic.
Modern society lacks appropriate organizations and procedures to help older people manage life efficiently. Integrationists argue that society stigmatizes aging people because they cannot adapt to modern society. Alternatively, conflict theorists argue that the old have challenges because no significant authority can be utilized to restructure social structures so that they can help older people. The preceding talk vividly portrays the issues impacting the aged person groups in society, and society should adjust its attitudes toward them.
Conclusion
Since growing old is a natural part of life, each additional year offers an individual the chance to try new experiences and participate in social and familial activities. Older people can play a crucial role in community development if they age without health complications. Anyone wishing to live to a ripe age will eventually grow elderly and face the same harsh treatment. The study approach to apply in this research is most suited since it allows one to grasp social problems and devise solutions.
References
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Bull, F. C., Al-Ansari, S. S., Biddle, S., Borodulin, K., Buman, M. P., Cardon, G., & Willumsen, J. F. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. British journal of sports medicine, 54(24), 1451-1462. Web.
George, V., & Wilding, P. (2023). Motherless families. Routledge. Web.
Giampapa, V. C. (2022). Diet and Aging. In The Principles and Practice of Antiaging Medicine for the Clinical Physician (pp. 63-92). River Publishers.
Jaiswal, S., & Ebert, B. L. (2019). Clonal hematopoiesis in human aging and disease. Science, 366(6465), eaan4673. Web.
Merchant, N. M., & Yozamp, C. J. (2013). Groups in community and agency settings. SAGE Publications.
Nyberg, L., & Pudas, S. (2019). Successful memory aging. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 219-243. Web.
Riggins, T., & Bauer, P. J. (2022). A Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Approach to the Study of Memory. In The Development of Memory in Infancy and Childhood (pp. 1-30). Psychology Press.
Rudnicka, E., Napierała, P., Podfigurna, A., Męczekalski, B., Smolarczyk, R., & Grymowicz, M. (2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) approach to healthy ageing. Maturitas, 139, 6-11. Web.
Suter, K. D. (2020). The consumer of the future. In 17th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference Adelaide, South Australia 21–24 July 2019 (p. 136). Web.
Teater, B., & Chonody, J. M. (2020). How do older adults define successful aging? A scoping review. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 91(4), 599-625. Web.