Pyschosocial Aspects of Aging 3

PSYCHOSOCIAL
ASPECTS OF AGING
Prepared by:- Zainul iba
Class:- B.Sc nursing 3rd year
Roll No. :- 44
Government College of Nursing Shireen Bagh Srinagar
(Government Medical College Srinagar )
DEFINITION OF AGEING:-
Aging can defined as “a progressive functional decline or a
gradual deterioration of physiological function with age. Aging
is continuous, complex and dynamic process that begins with
birth and ends with death”.
 Aging occur after the age of 60-65 years and in some cases 50
years.
 Successful Psychological aging is reflected in the Ability of
Older Adults to Adopt to Physical,Social & Emotional losses
to achieve satisfaction.
 Because, changes in lifestyle are sure over lifetime,older
adults need Coping skills when facing stress & change.
Most, elderly person seem to be vulnerable to two changes:-
PSYCHOLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION & SOCIAL CHANGES .
1. PSYCHOLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION:-
In order to understand psychological dysfunction we should have knowledge
about:-
Affective Function: refers to mood, emotions(fear,sadness,happiness,anger,pain

& confusion).
Cognitive Function: refers to Memory,Learning & Intelligence.

These, two functions affect the person’s Self Esteem.
AFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING:-
It is influened by the way an individual views world and self.A positive view of self & world
promotes positive Expression Of Mood & Emotions.
1. SELF ESTEEM :- It is the way person views himself/ herself. A positive view of self
Enables person to Cope better with Changes During Aging.
Factors Decreasing Self Esteem

 Age Related Changes
 Increased Dependency
 Chronic Disease
 Functional Impairment etc
2. PERSONALITY:-
 The BasicPersonality does not change as a result of Aging Process.
 The personality will be consistent with that of earlier years.
3. DEPRESSION:-
 Depression Occurs in 16.65 % of elders living in a community.
 It includes Sleep Disturbance, lack of Interest, feeling of guilt,lack of
energy,decreased concentration & loss of appetite.
 Losses can lead to Depression.
COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING:-
IntelIigence, Learning, Attention & Memory are related to cognitive
Functioning & how well a person’s mind is able to Reason & make sound
judgement.
1. INTELLIGENCE:-
 It is the mental alertness & includes ability to learn new material, make wise
decisions & deal with stressful situations.
 Intelligence Does not change Significantly with age.
2. MEMORY:-
 Recent Memory: Defined as recall of items learned more than a few minutes
earlier eg. What was eaten in breakfast. It declines with Age.
 Remote Memory: eg. Dates of wars, Name of President. It does not show any
significant change with Age.
3. LEARNING:-
 It is the acquisition of new knowledge or skills.
 The ability of mind to learn & retain new information remains unaltered
particularly when mind is Stimulated through regular use.
 But, ability to solve complex problems decline with age.
 Hearing & visual deficits related to aging process affect learning.
4. ATTENTION SPAN:-
 This is the degree of Vigilance. There is a decrease in Vigilance performance.
 Vigilance performance is ability to retain Attention Longer than 45 minutes.
 The elderly is more liable to divert attention by irrelevant information &
stimuli.
 Deficits in Attention may affect Learning & Memory.
2. SOCIAL CHANGE :-
The Social changes that come with life are change in lifestyle, loss of other Family Member, neighbors &
friends.
The main social problems encountered by elderly persons are:-
1. RETIREMENT:-
 A change in work role comes with retirement. It changes the way time is managed & Daily activities are
carried out.
 Retirement alters identity, Status, Financial problems, lack of self satisfaction, self esteem & sometimes
friends.
2. WIDOWHOOD:-
A common event that alters family life is the death of Spouse.
 The spousal role composed of many sub roles Such as Companion, Sexual Partner, Cook,House keeping
& Care provider.
 Loss of spouse is highly stressful experience. Death of spouse affects More women than men because
Older men can Remarry.
3. LONELINESS:-
 It is feeling of emotional isolation, being locked inside oneself & unable to obtain
warmath & comfort from others.
 Any loss that creates deficit in intimacy & interpersonal relationship can lead to
loneliness.
4. MULTIPLE LOSS:-
Aging is associated with Major Physical, psychological, & sociological losses as
well as reduced ability to Adapt & compensate for stressors. Some losses
encountered by elderly are:-
# Loss of Job. # Loss of Status. # Role change.
# Decreased Income.
# Loss of Significant Person
# Increased Expenditure On Medical Services
# Limitations imposed as a result of Multiple Chronic Disease.
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS NEEDED FOR SUCCESSFUL
AGING:-
 Adjusting to declined health & physical strength.

 Adjusting to Death of Spouse.
 Adjusting to retirement & reduced income.
 Establish association with others of same age.
 Adopting to change in social roles.
Role of Gerontological Nurse To
Promote Psychosocial Adaptation:-
1. The psychosocial assessment is an essential component of overall
helath assessment.
2. Nursing Intervention to enhance Mental Alertness:

 Allow theclient to do as many task’s as possible for himself / herself.
 Encourage use of Mind in problem solving.
 Encourage Use of Numbers & calculations.
 Encourage creative activities ( painting, story telling).
Photo:-Nursing Home Clients Involved in Painting & Drawing.
3. Nursing Intervention When teaching Older Cleint new
Information:
 Assess current knowledge.
 Determine the person’s ability to learn.
 Identity any language barrier.
 Evaluate for any visual & hearing deficit.Make sure hearing aid working or glasses are
available, if indicated.
 Determine importance of information that client is to be taught.
 Plan teaching over several days with small increments of information presented at one time.
 Allow time gor feedback to evaluate knowledge.
4. Nursing intervention For clients with Short Term Memory
Loss:
 Identify yourself each time there is an interaction with the client.
 Give Simple and direct termed instructions.
 Repeat instructions several times.
 Perform one activity at a time.
5. Nurses role to increase self Esteem:
 Develop a trusting relationship.
 Treat elderly with dignity & respect.
 Allow sufficient time for patients for performance of daily activities of self care.
 Practice active listening.
 Give positive reinforcement for progress.
 Use verbal & Non verbal
Communication.
 Encourage socialization.
6. Adjusting to Retirement:
 It is easier if activities that will become prominent after retirement are begun
during working days.
 Therefore, adjustment to retirement are influenced by pre- retirement plan &
engaging in other activities before withdrawal completely from work.
7. Find a New Role:
 Such as a grandparent role. It is such a role that brings great satisfaction &
contentment.
8. Facilitating Maximum Independence:
 Make sure the client has access To all necessary assistive devices & personal
accessories.
 Allow enough time for the person to do as much as self care activities.
 Make sure environment has been adapted to compensate for sensory losses & other
functional impairment.
9. Interventions That Promote Social Support :
 Encourage participation in group activities.
 For people on wheelchair especially those who can’t move position wheelchair in such a way to
promote Social Interaction.
 For, Nursing Home Residents plan tables & rooms in such a way that social relationship is
fostered.

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PSYCHOSOCIAL

PSYCHOLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION & SOCIAL CHANGES .

Affective Function: refers to mood, emotions(fear,sadness,happiness,anger,pain

Cognitive Function: refers to Memory,Learning & Intelligence.

Factors Decreasing Self Esteem

 Adjusting to declined health & physical strength.

2. Nursing Intervention to enhance Mental Alertness:

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