Psychosocial Aspects of Aging

By: LGS, RN MN

Importance of Psychosocial Development

Collegial and able to establish smooth interpersonal relationships. Sensitive, caring, and ready to anticipate the needs of others.

 Open minded and being able to see the points and opinions of others. Go out of ourselves to help others, and to go beyond our own necessities. Altruistic Better decision makers Mature, rational, understanding and educated in the midst of problems.

Factors that deter our Psychosocial Development

Unwanted or unwelcome pregnancy Deprived childhood needs Neglected and abandoned experiences during childhood. Bad adult models during their early childhood.

 Early exposure to peers using drugs or engaging in sexual activities tends to give rise to children who have poor psychosocial development.

Aging years and Psychosocial Development Benefits

For older people to progress, they must meet the following challenges:
Adjusting to declining health and physical strength Adjusting to retirement and reduced income. Adjusting to death of spouse and family members.

 Adjusting to living arrangements. Adjusting to the pleasures to aging.

Aging changes that affect COMMUNIC ATION

Communication
Is an important skill that allows us to survive in and interact with our world.

Sensory modalities involved in Communication

Vision Hearing Touch Olfaction & Gustation Movement Speech

Typical Vision Problems

Poor visual acuity or clarity Sensitivity to glare Other Visual diseases

Communication Tips
Position objects within their visual field. Give then verbal indication of the action that you are about to impart.

Typical Age-related Changes in Hearing

Conductive Problems Sensorineural Problems Mixed Hearing Loss

Communication Tips
Do not shout Project voice from the diaphragm Make use of the persons other unimpaired senses. Limiting background noise Use short sentences and speak clearly.

Speech and Language

Dysarthria Aphasia

Communication tips
Position yourself in close proximity to the elderly person and face him/her so that the eye contact is maintained. Use short uncomplicated sentences. Respect the elders limitations.

Touch Movement Cognitive changes Psychological Changes

Lets all have a graceful aging process!!!