Biological. From a biological perspective, elderly adults in the United States rely on access to quality health care to avoid developing chronic health conditions (Lesser & Pope, 2011; Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2012). Life style choices that were developed in young adulthood affect physical health during old age and the end of life (Lesser & Pope, 2011; Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2012). Some of these choices include level of education and lifestyle habits such as exercise, alcohol use, and stress levels (Lesser & Pope, 2011; Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2012). Currently 73% of white, middle class elderly between the ages of 75 and 84 are fully functional both mentally and physically due to having access to mental and physical health services
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Currently in the Unites States, approximately 5 million elderly individuals have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other mental health conditions (Lesser & Pope, 2011; Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2012). Spirituality is a crucial pathway for elder individuals to age successfully because it allows an outlet for grieving and can provide a sense of meaning in one’s life (Lesser & Pope, 2011; Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2012). The elderly that have positive social support networks are also more likely to have stronger psychological health than those who do not have these supports (Lesser & Pope, 2011; Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2012; Poulin, Deng, Ingersoll, Witt & Swain, 2012). Other factors that influence psychological satisfaction and well-being in old age include being female, mental health, physical health, social supports, and access to activities (Cummings, …show more content…
While older adults in general are more invisible in society, older adults from a higher socio-economic class are given more opportunities for success than those who may not belong to the middle or upper class, and those who are not white (Aging Theory, 2017). This is a conflict that the older adult population in the US must fight with every day to receive the proper services (Aging Theory, 2017). Conflict theory implies that only those who are wealthy can access community services and only this population will be successful in old age (Aging Theory,
Currently in the Unites States, approximately 5 million elderly individuals have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other mental health conditions (Lesser & Pope, 2011; Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2012). Spirituality is a crucial pathway for elder individuals to age successfully because it allows an outlet for grieving and can provide a sense of meaning in one’s life (Lesser & Pope, 2011; Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2012). The elderly that have positive social support networks are also more likely to have stronger psychological health than those who do not have these supports (Lesser & Pope, 2011; Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2012; Poulin, Deng, Ingersoll, Witt & Swain, 2012). Other factors that influence psychological satisfaction and well-being in old age include being female, mental health, physical health, social supports, and access to activities (Cummings, …show more content…
While older adults in general are more invisible in society, older adults from a higher socio-economic class are given more opportunities for success than those who may not belong to the middle or upper class, and those who are not white (Aging Theory, 2017). This is a conflict that the older adult population in the US must fight with every day to receive the proper services (Aging Theory, 2017). Conflict theory implies that only those who are wealthy can access community services and only this population will be successful in old age (Aging Theory,