Presentations
from participants
Guidelines:
Objective of this
session: To share and learn from each other
Session, date
& time: 27.09.14 Session: IV Time: 9.00- 10.30 AM
Duration: not to
exceed 10 minutes
Mode of presentation:
PowerPoint / Talk
Presentations can
be related to themes listed below. Please suggest additions and changes.
1) Process of aging:
Losses vs. Gains
The
public discussion about old age and aging is often focused on losses that occur
in many areas of life. The deteriorating state of health, the loss of
independence, the increased need of nursing care, as well as the increased risk
for dementia and memory loss are automatically associated with the aging
process by many people. Unfortunately, this deficit-oriented and pessimistic
view also determines the scientific examination of old age. However, there are
two important points that this perspective ignores. First, aging is not a
homogeneous process, but can take a range of different courses. Second, old age
is not characterized only by risks and losses, but has also extensive strengths
that are essential to maintain positive well-being in spite of losses.
The
heterogeneity in old age is one of the main findings in gerontological research.
With respect to their functioning, individuals of the same advanced age can be
very different from each other, whereas individuals of the same younger age can
be very much alike. Further, there is also empirical indication that old age is
not a single phase of life but can be divided into (at least) two phases. The
third age is characterized by physical and mental fitness, good social
integration and high activity level. In addition, the so called young old
individuals show a high level of emotional and cognitive well-being. In
contrast, the fourth age seems to be less positive. The oldest old individuals
often suffer from several chronic diseases and have cognitive limitations.
Furthermore, their social network is significantly reduced, and many of them
need increased support and assistance or even long term care
Numerous
studies document an impressing resilience and adaptability in old and very old
age . Despite all limitations and losses, older adults maintain a positive
sense of subjective well-being, which can be understood as an indicator for a
successful adaptation. Both the emotional and the cognitive facet of the
subjective well-being show a high level and stability into very old age. If
there are age differences or negative changes, such as with respect to positive
effect, they are rather small. Interestingly, some studies point to a stability
or even increase in positive mood in later life. In contrast, for negative
affect the empirical results are convergent and show that the experience of
negative emotions decreases to adulthood, and then remain to stay stable in old
age. Small or even marginal age effects exist also in terms of life
satisfaction, which shows a slight decline with advancing age. Importantly,
only 3 to 4% of the variance of life satisfaction in old age can be explained by
chronological age. Thus, although there are some differences in study findings
associated with research methodology (e.g. comparing cross-sectional,
longitudinal, or diary data), older people feel generally no worse than in
earlier stages of life and certainly not as bad that it could be assumed on the
basis of the objectively observed loss of resources. Actually, older and very
old people, even centenarians report being just as happy, if not happier, than
the younger generations. Thus, this stability-despite-loss paradox suggests
that humans have the potential to adapt successfully to the age-related
changes.
But
what contributes to this remarkable adaptability and resilience in old age? How
do old individuals do this-overcome the challenges of old age and stay happy in
spite of all those losses? After examining the influence of many individual
resources, which show only a limited relationship to well-being (e.g., income
situation, educational level, family status, cognitive abilities, physical
health, social network, recent gerontological research confirms that
psychological strengths seems to be critical to the positive development and
resilience in old and very old age. These are beliefs and attitudes about one
self, life, and aging, which include constructs such as self-esteem, optimism,
self-efficacy, and control beliefs, as well as existential constructs such as
personal meaning for life, purpose in life and will to live . Therefore, not
having the right basic resources and properties but having the right attitude
seems to matter a lot in later life. Interestingly, while individual resources
decline sharply with age, the psychological strengths show only minor losses
(e.g., self-efficacy, optimism), stability (e.g., will to live), or even
increases (e.g., meaning in life). However, it still remains an open question
how the psychological strengths influence well-being, whether their impact is
direct or through the resources. Thus, it becomes important to examine the
effect of psychological strengths together with resources in order to determine
not only their independent contribution but also their interplay. In our view,
the psychological strengths represent a large, yet under studied potential,
which may be especially useful to address in interventions designed to maintain
well-being and to achieve continuing growth into very old age.
In
conclusion, there are two points that we wanted to highlight. First, we need
more positive gerontology that focuses not only on the risks and losses but
also on good aspects of later life and resilient aging, as well as on the
potential for a good and valuable longevity. Second, psychological strengths
need more investigation to examine how they themselves develop over the life
span and how they maintain their protective role for well-being in old age.
2) Agism : cultural
scripts
3) Life span human development
Coping
with health-related problems is dependent to a large extent on the types of
coping skills developed throughout their life.
4)
Stressful life events in aged population
5)
Strategies for healthy living
6)
What is successful aging?
In order that successful aging not seem an oxymoron,
the concept of aging must be viewed from three dimensions: decline, change, and
development. The term "aging" can connote decline, and decline is not
successful. After age 20, our senses slowly fail us. By age 70 we can identify
only 50% of the smells that we could recognize at 40. Our vision in dim light declines steadily,
until by age 80, few of us can drive at night;
by age 90, 50% of us can no longer use public transportation.
But the term "aging" also conveys change, a relatively
neutral meaning. Analogous to the transformation of trees from spring to
winter, our hair changes from chestnut to white, our waistline becomes portly,
our eyes acquire crow’s feet, and our frequency of making love shifts from
three times a week to twice a month. But equally important, our ability to love
and be loved does not diminish with age. Our capacity for joy is undiminished.
Process of having and pursuing personal goals is one aspect of
successful aging.
Relationship with other people, and behavior that is productive.
Maximization of gains and minimization of loss.
7) Qualities of life
for older people living in India.
8) Taking care of aging parents
ü
Family structure,
relationships and responsibilities
ü
Development of
supportive housing for seniors
ü
Advance healthcare
directive (legal) power of attorney, living will.
ü
Technology you can
use for aging population: assistive
technology at home : home automation, smart phones, apps, video chats
ü
Telemedicine and
Remote caring
ü
Geriatric training
certification program for the health care workforce.
9) Catholic :
Spiritual, scriptural and pastoral dimensions
We strongly urge the members to
actively get involved in all the sessions and especially in this participatory
session which has been exclusively earmarked for the members. Kindly send your
PowerPoint presentations/ abstracts to: Mr.A.G.Maxwell
e-mail: lightonthemt.n@gmail.com before 20th of September 2014.
For more details contact:
www.ccpicircle.blogspot.in (Register
your e-mails in this Blog to get instant new postings)
www.facebook.com/ccpi.india (If you have a Face book account join CCPI group)
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