Assignment: Late adulthood challenges

Assignment: Late adulthood challenges

Assignment: Late adulthood challenges

A common goal for aging adults is to feel satisfied with a life well-lived and have the opportunity to savor the “golden years”.  Counselors working with older clients may help increase health and resilience by using self-reflection interventions.  One self-reflection technique is conduction a life review (Laureate Education, 2013b).  According to Dr. Donna Sheperis (Laureate Education, 2013b), a life review can guide clients through collecting artifacts and memories that are meaningful to the client.  The life review process could benefit both Miguel and Jeanette.  For Jeanette, the process may increase the pride she has as a mother and provide a tangible memoir she can pass on to her children and grandchildren.  For Miguel, the life review can serve as a reminder of obstacles he has overcome in his life.  Miguel might gain a new perspective in which he can feel free to explore his curiosity and respect Jeanette’s contentment with her desires.

Summary

Miguel and Jeanette Martinez have overcome many obstacles in their life.  They both hope to enjoy this period in life.  A life review may provide valuable insight into regrets.  At this point, Miguel would benefit from a new interpretation of past events.  People who come to terms with regret report high life -satisfaction and positive mood than people who do not come to terms with regret (Torges, Stewart, Miner-Rubino, 2005).

References

Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). [Video file]. Retrieved from CDN Files Database. (COUN 6215/COUN 8215/HUMN 8215)

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013b). Perspectives: The golden years [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Torges, C.M., Stewart, A.J., & Miner-Rubino, K. (2005).  Personality after the prime of life: men and women coming to terms with regrets.  Journal of Research in Personality, 39(1), 148-165.  Doi: 10.1016/i.irp.2004.09.005

3. (L. Waf)

Audrey Anderson now 72-years-old has presented for therapy at the request of her grandchildren following her husband Ernie’s sudden death two months ago of a heart attack. Audrey has not been eating or sleeping well nor has she been leaving her house. Audrey reports being well; stating, she misses her husband and wishes her grandchildren resided closer. As the conversation continued, Audrey reported two of her close friends from church have also passed away within the last year. She sighs and says, “Sure, I am lonely, but I know I will be with Ernie and my Holy Father soon.” (Laureate, 2013d).

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Developmental Factors in Late Adulthood

Late adulthood is considered to begin around age 65. Developmental changes in late adulthood include cognitive, physical, and socioeconomic. Late adulthood is a sincerely problematic state with lots of grief and frustration.   (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Some physical changes associated with later adulthood include a decline in sensory capacity; declines in heart, kidney, lung, and muscle function; as well as memory degeneration, changes in appearance, and sensory changes. Other physical health conditions vary and are often attributed to health habits, hereditary factors, and other influences. These health conditions include cancer, dementia, heart disease, and arthritis. Cognitive changes include declines in reasoning, the speed of processing, and memory that are often associated with the primary biological changes that occur. Socioeconomic changes include changes in work status or loss of a spouse. Retirement brings about shifting roles in the home and social system.

Protective Factors for Late Adulthood Challenges

The protective factor I would use for Audrey is to encourage social connectedness by encouraging more involvement in her church. Religious involvement reduces the risk of depression in late adulthood. (George, Ellison, & Larson, 2001). I would also encourage grief counseling. “There’s a big difference between being depressed and being sad,” she says. “When we grieve, sadness overtakes us and rules our life for quite a while. However, there is movement. Eventually, we move through sadness and make meaning out of our loss.” (Kennedy, 2008). This quote speaks volumes to me about the grieving process. With proper empathy, support, guidance Audrey can efficiently work through her feelings of grief and learn to live with her loss.

References

Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

George LK, Ellison CG, Larson DB. Explaining the relationships between religious involvement and health. Psychol. Inq. 2002;13:190–200

Kennedy, A. (2008). Working through grief. Retrieved from

Readings

· Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

o Chapter 15, “Gains and Losses in Late Adulthood” (pp. 556-596)

Bielak, A. A. M., Anstey, K. J., Christensen, H., & Windsor, T. D. (2012). Activity engagement is related to level, but not change in cognitive ability across adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 27(1), 219–228.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Bowling, A, (2007). Aspirations for older age in the 21st century: What is successful aging? The International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 64(3), 263–297.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Davis, C. S. (2008). A funeral liturgy: Death rituals as symbolic communication. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 13(5), 406–421.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Hemmingson, M. (2009). Anthropology of the memorial: Observations and reflections on American cultural rituals associated with death. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 10(3), 1–13.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Lowis, M. J., Edwards, A. C., & Burton, M. (2009). Coping with retirement: Wellbeing, health, and religion. Journal of Psychology, 143(4), 427–448.