HP 626 week 1 discussion 1 2 social gerontology discussion questions
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HP 626 week 1 discussion 1 2 social gerontology discussion questions
Paper Instructions
Initial Post
If your first name begins with the letters A–M Topic 1 – Demographic Trends in Aging and Population Impacts
Using the learning materials to support your claims, respond to the following prompts in your original post
- Discuss which demographic trends you found interesting; why did you find them interesting?
- What are potential impacts of the aging population on the United States as a whole, specifically healthcare service organizations?
- Discuss life expectancy trends and future population concerns.
- Identify how these trends and concerns will impact your role as a service provider for aging adults.
Your initial post should be 500 to 700 words, with one to two supporting references included.
If your first name begins with the letters N–Z Topic 2 – Multidisciplinary Approach to Gerontology
A multidisciplinary approach to gerontology includes members with different professional backgrounds and skills that can compensate for each other’s weaknesses, as well as collaborate to accomplish goals.
This approach is particularly important in healthcare settings in providing care and services to patients. A common example is a hospital discharging an aging patient, or an aging adult who is admitted to a long-term care organization for therapy after a fall.
You as a healthcare practitioner or service provider will often be responsible for addressing care needs of aging adults, which as we know are multi-faceted. This approach provides team members with diverse backgrounds who can provide different viewpoints and experiences for better brainstorming across cultures and respective industries.
Discuss why a multidisciplinary approach to gerontology is needed, specifically in a health care setting with you as the service provider. Identify the top five disciplines that should be included on a multidisciplinary team, and provide a rationale for why you selected those disciplines.
Your initial post should be 500 to 700 words, with one to two supporting references included.
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Sample Answer
Demographic Trends in Aging and Population Impacts
Using the learning materials to support your claims, respond to the following prompts in your original post
Discuss which demographic trends you found interesting; why did you find them interesting?
In terms of health care, Cantor’s study of 1500 aging participants of age 60 or older, of a diverse sample comprised of 1/3 of African Americans, who were of low income or lived in lower income neighborhood was very interesting ( Wahl, 2020).
In it, Cantor examined the availability of necessary resources that were available within accessible distances to the community. What was notable was that there were facilities for groceries and foods, but the distances that must be traveled for health care were extensive and therefore presented hardships. Due to this distance, this population can be at risk for poor health due to inability to access the health care ( Wahl, 2020).
What are potential impacts of the aging population on the United States as a whole, specifically healthcare service organizations?
According to Weiss (2020), the aging population is the fastest growing population in the United States, namely the Baby Boomers. With age comes increased medical concerns, needs for physical assistance, and mental health support.
While family caregivers step in in these situations, many individuals require more attention beyond that which they can offer. This is where the healthcare system comes into play. Many prefer to stay in their homes, and this requires the attention of social support systems as well as home health aides, who are supervised by a licensed health care provider (Weiss, 2020).
Due to a lower pay grade and overwork, there is a turnover rate of 45-60% of individuals in this field ( Weiss, 2020). Many states are implementing legislation to improve working conditions and benefits for these health care support teams.
Discuss life expectancy trends and future population concerns
The life expectancy trends have increased exponentially. According to 2020 Profile of older Americans (2021), the population of Americans age 65 and older has quadrupled.
In addition, the life expectancy has increased by 47.3 years since 1900 ( 020 Profile of older Americans, 2021). With this increase are concerns for adequacy of safe housing, as many older adults live in older homes in need of renovation.
This group also experience poverty at the rate of 1 in 10 (2020 Profile of older Americans, 2021). With an aging population come all the health concerns that occur in older adults.
Identify how these trends and concerns will impact your role as a service provider for aging adults.
As a service provider of aging adults, it is imperative to ask about support systems, family care givers, financial situations regarding the cost of medications and medical assistance within the home.
Beyond critical thinking, empirical practice, and diagnostics, it is crucial to assess the ability of this age group to have the funds and capabilities to carry out the health plans that are prescribed.
In assessment, unique features of this population need to be focused upon, as well as the implementation of an interprofessional team to coordinate care for these individuals with a goal of the best outcome (Ghimire, 2023). Special attention to vision, hearing, nutrition, fall prevention, incontinence, osteoporosis, and preventive health are tantamount ( Ghimire, 2023).
References
- Ghimire, K. (2023, February 20). Geriatric Care special needs assessment. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570572/
2020 profile of older Americans (PDF). (2021). State News Service.
- Wahl, H. W., & Gerstorf, D. (2020). Person–environment resources for aging well environmental docility and life space as conceptual pillars for future contextual gerontology. The Gerontologist, 60(3), 368–375. https //doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaa006
- Weiss, S. (2020). Living to 100 Building a world where people thrive as they age requires a whole new way of thinking. State Legislatures, 46(2), 14–19.
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