psychosocial aspects of elderly.pdfaspects

psychological aspects of elderly

1. PSYCHOSICIAL
ASPECTS OF ELDERLY
BY:-FIROZ QURESHI
DEPT. PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

6. •Sociological theories of ageing explain that
the maintenance of social equilibrium is
achieved by a mutually beneficial process of
reciprocal withdrawal between society and
older people. (Disengagement theory)

7. •Theolderpeopleremainpsychologically
andsociallyfitiftheyremainsocially
active.One’sselfconceptisaffirmed
throughactivitiesassociatedwithvarious
rolesthatthelossofrolesintheoldage
negativelyaffectslifesatisfaction(Activity
theory)

8. •The psychosocial changes are challenges
that demands lot of coping energy.

9. •Retirement:Theconsequencesofretirements
includelossofincome,lossofidentityorrole,
lossofstatusorauthority,lossofstructureor
schedule,lossofpurposeinlifeandlossof
peercontacts.

10. •Death of friends: The death of friends make
the elderly to become socially isolated and
may lead to significant reduction in social
activities.

11. •Widowhood: The elderly experience severe
grief, emptiness, loneliness, changes in
responsibility, dependency on others and
decline in functional abilities to perform
activities of daily living (ADL) as a
consequence of loss of helper, loss of
companion and loss of sexual partner.

12. •Relocation from family homestead: Leads to
“relocation stress syndrome” with the
psychological manifestations such as losses,
fears, concerns, loss of independence, loss
of personal possessions, loss of friends and
neighbors and fear of unknown.

13. •Poor physical health
•Impaired functional abilities
•Poor social supports
•Lack of economics and resources
•The occurrences of unanticipated events
•The occurrences of several daily hassles at the same time
•The occurrences of several major life events in a short
period of time
•High social status and higher feelings of self efficacy in
situations that cannot be changed

14. •Sharma(2005)listedseveralsocialriskssuchas
socialisolation,impairmentofcognitive
functioning,widowhood,limitedoptionsfor
livingarrangementstowardslife,poverty,
inadequatehousing,mentalillness,bereavement
anddependencyduetophysicalormental
disease.

15. •Mood disorders (depression and mania)
•Anxiety
•Delirium
•Dementia (Alzheimer’s is the commonest)
•Aggression
•Substance abuse
•Sleep disorders
•Pain
•Eating disorders
•Abuse and neglect

16. •Healthy aging is the ability to continue to
function mentally, physically, socially and
economically as the body slows down its
processes.

17. •Continuous process of change and adaptation.
•Self defined and individualistic.
•Slowing down of body processes.
•Acceptance and movement towards death.
•Desire to continue to actively participate in life
processes.
•Ability to function physically, cognitively and
socially.
•Self assessment and redefinition of self and
abilities.

18. ADAPTATION
RESILIENCE
COMPENSATION
HEALTHY AGING
AUTONOMY INDEPENDENCE
(LINDA HANSEN -2005)

19. •Allow elderly to make choices whenever possible.
•Encourage elderly to do as much as possible for themselves.
•Modify environment that suits elderly to perform self care activities
independently.
•Avoid being over protective or directive to prevent the feeling of
impotent or child like.
•Respect older adult’s rights to refuse.
•Explore feelings and concerns to improve self worth.
•Demonstrate acceptance.
•Focus on abilities and not disabilities to promote self worth.
•Absence of self worth leads to despair and hopelessness. Erickson
stressed the importance of seeing value in the life stories of older
adults.
•Provide opportunities for reminiscence because it provides
recognition of previous successes.

20. •Assess the interaction between family members.
•Encourage family members to verbalize their
feelings independently and teach positive coping.
•Assist family members in identifying personal and
family strengths.
•Encourage the family members to assist in elderly
care.
•Assist families in identifying the factors that are
interfering with normal interactions.
•Making the elderly a vital component of the family
system.

21. •Encourage older adults to verbalize their feelings.
•Assist in identifying the personal strengths and
previously successful coping strategies.

22. •Progressive relaxation: Tighten and relax muscles
starting at the feet and working upward through the
body.
•Self hypnosis: Place oneself in a trance like state.
•Imagery:To think of a calm, peaceful setting and
enjoying the experience.
•Meditation: To shut out the external stimuli and
focus on calming the thoughts.

23. •For e.g. Retirement:-develop new skills, use time
for hobbies and personal pursuits and get involved
with meaningful volunteer activities.
•Reduced income:-take advantage of discounts for
seniors.
•Functional limitations:-adapt the environment to
ensure safety and optimal functional status, take
advantage of assistive devices and equipments and
accept help when necessary.

24. •Self help groupfor improving psychosocial
wellbeing.

25. •To provide care and protection to the
vulnerable elderly people.
•To promote research and training facilities to
train geriatric care givers and organizers for
the elderly.

26. •Item 9 of the state list and items 20, 23 and
24 of the concurrent list relate to provision of
old age pension.
•Article 41, Directive Principles of state policy
has particular relevance to old age social
security.

27. •Priority in to the cause list to cases involving
elderly persons and ensure expeditions
disposal of court matters.

28. •Pension, Grativityand Dearnersrelief to
government employees and their spouse
later.
•National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAP).

29. •Separate reservation counters.
•Indian railway provides 30% concession
in all classes and trains including
Rajadhani, Shathabdietc.
•In Kerala, elderly, who are freedom
fighters, can enjoy free travel in buses.

30. •Sunday clinics.
•Geriatric ward and OPD.
•Free health care checkups.
•National council for older persons.
•Rs.30lakhsshallbeprovidedtotheeligible
institutionsforconstructionofoldagehomes/
multiservicecentersforolderpersons.

31. •GerontologicalNursinginterventionsare
directedtowardsenhancingselfesteem,
promotingasenseofcontrol,fosteringself
supportsandassistingthemwitheffective
useofcopingmechanisms.Nursesare
providersofhealtheducationandother
healthpromotionalinterventiontoimprove
qualityoflife.

32. 1.Sreepriya,“Effectivenessofselfinstructional
moduleonthelevelofknowledgeand
attitudeofnursestowardscareofelderly”,
MScinpsychiatricNursingdissertation,
NIMHANS,Bangalore,2008.
2.Usha,“Seminaronissuesinnursingcareof
elderly”,NationalconsortiumforPhDin
nursing,NIMHANS,2007.