Late Adulthood and End of Life Paper

Late Adulthood and ending of Life Paper Late Adulthood and End of Life Paper Throughout a human beings heartspan, an individual experiences umpteen pivotal changes both naturally and mentally. Of all of these action st advances, none is more difficult a reality as belated maturity. Individuals be given a taste of youth and vitality, and must watch as it is slowly taken away. In both(prenominal) nuances, the patriarchal are treated with respect and care, and in others, the senior(a) are considered a file and receive little respect and poor care. How do perceptions of decease and anxious(p) vary from culture to culture?The ancient Egyptians spent their entire lives preparing for shoemakers last and the later action, but how do other cultures perceive these experiences? To pull in a better perspective on late adulthood and the end of life, this paper will provide nurture on the areas of concern during these life stages such as health and wellness, stereotypes associa ted with late adulthood, and cultural view of stopping point and dying. Health and wellness in late adulthood As individuals age the human body experiences many physical and mental changes.Aging or senescence represents these changes that the human body goes through which diminishes the bodys capacity to regenerate making it vulnerable to illness and disease (Berger, 2008). According to Berger (2008), Gerontologists distinguish between primary quill aging, the universal changes that occur with senescence, and sulfurary aging, the consequences of particular diseases (p. 620). The physical changes associated with aging are typically gradual with detectable declines in hearing, vision, taste, and smell (Mesa Community College, 1997).In addition to the decline in sensory functions, some elderly individuals experience more prominent health concerns such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a decrease in lung function. Other more estimable health concerns that typically aris e in late adulthood are those of thunder mugcer, boob disease, and Alzheimers. Often depression can be a main indorser to failing health as amplifys in health issues and experiencing the dying of family and friends makes ones own fatality rate more apparent. Not all individuals in late adulthood suffer from these health ailments.There are numerous lifestyle factors that can contribute to illness, and can be altered to provide an individual with a healthier more active life. There are numerous simple lifestyle changes an individual can make that can assist in his or her health and wellness and also decrease some of the negative effects of aging such as healthier eating habits, exercise, and regular medical checkups. fitter eating habits involve consuming the proper(a) amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein e truly day.Balanced meals and healthy snacks can outgrowth energy and ward off potential illness and disease. Exercise is also an important factor in contributing to wellness in late adulthood as exercise increases blood flow, builds healthy heart muscle, increases lung functions, and increases mobility. Mobility is often a factor in older adults who become sedentary causing muscles to atrophy and increase the likelihood of blood clots and heart-related problems. Routing medical checkups can also promote health and wellness by monitor current medical issues and diagnosing new health issues.This allows doctors to diagnose properly and treat illness and disease early. agism and stereotypes Ageism refers to prejudice against elderly individuals by the use of stereotypes. According to an article provided by terminate Industries (2011), Ageism occurs throughout society in varying degrees, in television, advertising, movies, stores, hospitals, and jobs (p. 62). Society assumes that with the increase of age comes a decrease in faculties, which is an assumption that is not always true. Younger individuals typically hold negative ste reotypes regarding elderly people (Net Industries, 2011).Often older individuals are considered to be slower, more costly, and less adaptable to change than junior individuals making tasks such as finding employment and receiving equal treatment difficult. According to an article provided by Net Industries (2011), Studies consistently demonstrate that there is no correlation between age and job performance, disrespect the common stereotype that productivity declines with age. Indeed, research reveals that some intellectual functions may even improve with age (p. 62). Often older adults are treated as children by society making assumptions of their abilities and mental functioning.Viewpoints of finale and dying stopping point at any stage in life is personal and holds unlike meanings to different people. Society places a great deal of meaning on finish based upon age, situation, and their personal experiences and beliefs. The viewpoints of death and dying in early childhood are limited however, children have a basic taking into custody of death by the age of two through their own observations of family members (Berger, 2008). Children who are dying often cultism death as they do not have a fully developed concept of dying and associate death with abandonment (Berger, 2008).At this life stage, it is important to have guidance from his or her parents to gain a better understanding of death and dying. Death and dying in adolescence is often a second thought as adolescents in this life stage place less value on life and ore often reckless and irresponsible with their lives and the lives of others. A different viewpoint of death and dying is seen in adulthood as the reality of their own mortality is acknowledged and the lives of their family members. Typically adults do not fear death because of maturity and knowledge of death. The fear and concern is for leaving unfinished business such as altitude their children.Anxiety builds in adults regarding death as they come to the realization of their age and becoming closer to death as they continue to age. Adults have established a healthy respect for life and the tragedy of death. In late adulthood, older adults have the least anxiety about death and dying as they are aware of and accept their mortality and often have an established spiritual belief of an afterlife after their mortal death. Often death is associated with relief when an older adult has a serious illness or a great deal of physical pain or failing mental health. Cultural attitudes towards death and dyingAttitudes toward death and dying are often different based upon cultural and religious differences. roughly cultures base their feelings toward death on spiritual beliefs whereas other cultures believe in a higher spring and a promised eternity. In Buddhism, death is just a process in which an individual must bide to be reborn (Berger, 2008). Buddhists do not dear dying but believe that it brings peace and enlightenment. In Hinduism, death is also a process of new life. Death involves the entire family preparing for their loved one and meet witness the individuals descent to rebirth.In Judaism, little significance is placed on the physical body of an individual. Individuals are buried within one day after death, and the individual is mourned by family and friends unitedly at home for one-week (Berger, 2008). Jewish individuals believe in the celebration of life more than that of death. Christianity and Islam are very similar in beliefs as death is considered merely the means of their mortal lives ending and their eternal life beginning whether it is heaven or hell. Death in Christianity and the Islamic faith can be life-threatening or bad depending on the individuals devotion and faith in God.All individuals disregardless of culture or religion hope for death without pain that comes quickly after living a long life in the company of family and friends (Burgess, 2008). Conclusion Late adulthood is a period in an individuals life span that creates physical and emotional difficulties. Illness and disease cause serious health issues that can affect an individuals quality of life however, healthy eating habits, exercise, and proper medical care can assist in improving and increasing an individuals life. Death is an inevitable part of life that everyone must face.When that time comes, death can be a imperturbable release from pain or a journey to spiritual enlightenment. References Berger, K. S. (2008). The developing person through the life span. (7th ed. ). New York Worth Publishers. Mesa Community College. (1997). The developmental psychology newsletter Late adulthood. Retrieved from http//www. mesacc. edu. Net Industries. (2011). Ageism Stereotypes about age and older persons. p. 62. Retrieved from Ageism Stereotypes About Age And Older Persons