Aisha R.

Corobong BSNG-3104
BSN – 3A August 19, 2022

A. Perspective on Aging
Aging, the process of people growing older, can be better understood through
three perspectives that examine the process from a social point of view. Sociologists
identified three perspectives: structural-functional, symbolic-interaction, and social-
conflict. 
 The structural-functional perspective views society as a complex system that has
singular parts within that system that work together to meet individuals' needs.
According to this perspective, social structures meet social needs. These structures
promote stability and cohesion necessary for society to exist over time. Within the
structural-functional perspective, there are three differing theories of aging: the
disengagement theory, activity theory, and continuity theory.
 The symbolic interaction perspective proposes that age is socially constructed and
determined by symbols resembling social interactions. This perspective does not have
associated theories, but it does propose:
- While aging itself is a biological process, being deemed old or young is a social
construction.
- Culture attaches meanings and certain behaviors to age groups. For example, an
elderly person engaging in a dangerous activity, such as rock climbing, may be
deemed inappropriate, but the same activity would be appropriate for someone
younger.
- Aging is viewed differently in different cultures. For example, in most eastern
cultures, age is associated with wisdom, but in Western cultures, aging is viewed in
a more negative light. Many people in Western cultures attempt to hide their
physical age with plastic surgery or makeup.

B. Demography of Aging and Implications for health and Nursing Care

According to the Global Health and Aging report presented by the World Health
Organization (WHO), “The number of people aged 65 or older is projected to grow from
an estimated 524 million in 2010 to nearly 1.5 billion in 2050, with most of the increase
in developing countries.” In addition, by 2050, the number of people 65 years or older is
expected to significantly outnumber children younger than 5 years of age.
WHO attributes the elderly population’s rapid size increase to a change in the
leading cause of death—from infections to chronic noncommunicable diseases—which
increased life expectancy. These chronic conditions may include hypertension, high
cholesterol, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia, and congestive heart
failure. Heart disease, stroke, and cancer have been the leading chronic conditions that
have had the greatest impact on the aging population, especially in high-income
countries. In addition, the incidences of obesity and falls are increasing.
Expected challenges to the health care system include the following:
 Resource needs will continue to increase across all health care settings
 The incidence of obesity will continue to increase
 A shortage of health care professionals is expected
 The diversity of caregivers lags behind the growing diversity of patients
  Care has been focused on a single disease versus addressing comorbidity
 The sustainability and structure of federal programs in relation to the
increasing aging population are a concern
 Changes in family structure may lead to fewer family caregivers
 Adapting and adjusting to the Affordable Care Act pose challenges
The health care system needs to address the issues raised above in order to deal
with the growing elderly population. In addition, our health care system has to train more
healthcare professionals and consider how new technologies will affect hospital
infrastructure in order to get ready for it (particularly given the greater cost).
The health care system will need to establish fall prevention methods as well as
plans to deal with the aging population's rising incidence of chronic diseases.
Implementing innovative strategies in health care delivery to address the changing health
status of an aging population is a significant problem. As the prevalence of chronic
illnesses rises in this population, so does the complexity of their medical care. Lack of
attention to other current medical disorders might occur from focusing on a single disease
rather than comorbidity.
Instead, in order to ensure that patients are receiving better case management, the
healthcare system must get ready to use a multidisciplinary approach. Additionally, there
needs to be an emphasis on provide preventive care rather than reactive care. A more
thorough care plan before discharge, the development of a program to help monitor
patients, and a system to help identify patients who need follow-up care are a few
possible strategies.

C. Impact of Aging Members in the Family

Ageing can contribute to poor family relationships in a number of ways. Older
people with care requirements are predominantly looked after by their families. Longer
life expectancies, coupled with extended ageing-related illness or disability, can
significantly prolong the care phase. This, in turn, places significant mental, physical and
financial burdens on older people, caregivers and extended family members (Millward,
1998; Silverstein & Giarrusso, 2010). It also places older people living in vulnerable
situations at increased risk of violence and abuse.
Relationships may become more strained when a family member has health
concerns, family care is no longer suitable or available, or end-of-life decisions must be
made. This is especially true for families with complex structures, poor communication
skills, or histories of relationship conflict. Long-term interpersonal connections can be
impacted by family disagreements, with repercussions that extend to funeral plans,
inheritance distribution, and family contacts. These disagreements have a negative impact
on the welfare of people, families, and communities while raising the price tag for
welfare and service systems.

D. Theories of Aging Members and Nursing implications

Biologic
Concerned with answering basic questions regarding physiologic processes that
occur in all living organisms over time (Hayflick, 1996).
Sociologic
 Focused on the roles and relationships within which individuals engage in later
life (Hogstel, 1995).
Psychologic
Influenced by both biology and sociology; address how a person responds to the
tasks of his or her age.
Moral/Spiritual
Examine how an individual seeks to explain and validate his or her existence
(Edelman & Mandle, 2003).

Nursing Implications
Nurses can have a more comprehensive perspective of this demographic segment
that is always growing by applying a holistic approach to the care of older individuals.
Absolute developmental tasks, psychosocial changes, or certain diseases or physiological
processes are not the only interactions between gerontologic nurses and elderly patients.
Nurses can visualize how older people interact with their entire environment, including
its physical, mental/emotional, social, and spiritual facets, and can synthesize diverse
components of many aging theories. As nurses design high-quality care for older persons,
an eclectic approach offers a great basis.

Reference/s:
- https://study.com/academy/lesson/theories-of-aging-structural-functional-symbolic-
interaction-social-conflict.html
- https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/the-aging-population-the-increasing-effects-on-
health-care
- https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/assisting-families-ageing-related-relationship-
issues
- https://nursekey.com/theories-of-aging-3/