Discussion – Week 7

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Discussion: Psychological Aspects of Aging

What does it mean to age “successfully”? Though the concept of success is relative, theories of successful aging explain factors that support individuals as they grow old. Factors such as maintaining physical and mental activity and disengaging from community obligations contribute to older adults’ ability to function. As a social worker, you must understand these supportive factors in order to address the needs of older clients and their families.

As you will see in this week’s media, situations involving Alzheimer’s or dementia, interpersonal conflict, and grief can complicate the process of successful aging. For this Discussion, you review one of two case studies involving an older woman and apply a theory of successful aging to the case.

By 01/14/2021
 

Respond to two colleagues who chose a different case and/or theory than you did. State whether you agree with your colleague's strategy for applying the theory to the case. Justify your response and suggest one additional way your colleague might support the client’s psychological well-being.

I pick Sarah for my case attached.

Use the Learning Resources to support your posts. Make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.

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Follow rubric

Initial Posting: Content

14.85 (49.5%) – 16.5 (55%)

Initial posting thoroughly responds to all parts of the Discussion prompt. Posting demonstrates excellent understanding of the material presented in the Learning Resources, as well as ability to apply the material. Posting demonstrates exemplary critical thinking and reflection, as well as analysis of the weekly Learning Resources. Specific and relevant examples and evidence from at least two of the Learning Resources and other scholarly sources are used to substantiate the argument or viewpoint.

Follow-Up Response Postings: Content

6.75 (22.5%) – 7.5 (25%)

Student thoroughly addresses all parts of the response prompt. Student responds to at least two colleagues in a meaningful, respectful manner that promotes further inquiry and extends the conversation. Response presents original ideas not already discussed, asks stimulating questions, and further supports with evidence from assigned readings. Post is substantive in both length (75–100 words) and depth of ideas presented.

Readability of Postings

5.4 (18%) – 6 (20%)

Initial and response posts are clear and coherent. Few if any (less than 2) writing errors are made. Student writes with exemplary grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation to convey their message.

This what I wrote about Sarah case. need to compare it to the other 2 colleagues with a different case.

I have chosen to analyze Sarah's case in this discussion. She has a lot of complications, as seen in the case study and these complications and diseases come with old age. When one is old, the immune system is compromised and weak, so they have a high risk of getting any infections (DC. Park & SB. Festini, 2016). The body and the immune system tend to be weak, and they can easily get any infections. Many theories have been developed to explain the aging of individuals and how they make humans immunocompromised. One of the theories is programmed longevity. This theory considers aging as a result of a given sequential witching of on and off of some genes that one might have (DC. Park & SB. Festini, 2016).

This explains how one gets immunocompromised when a gene that is supposed to fight against disease is closed, and there is an attack; they cannot get the required protection. She stays with her daughter, who also suffers from many other things like depression and is even thinking of committing suicide. As a social worker, you must understand the theories that explain aging. You use the knowledge in the treatment plan and the intervention plan for the recovery process and taking care of Sara (DC. Park & SB. Festini, 2016).

This knowledge is also necessary if you use it to educate the daughter on why Sara is having more diseases and complications. Tell her about the possible ways she can get help to focus on helping the mother, who is old and has numerous sicknesses that are disturbing her. Sara also has an anxiety disorder (DC. Park & SB. Festini, 2016).

References

Park, D. C., & Festini, S. B. (2017). Theories of memory and aging: A look at the past and a glimpse of the future. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 72(1), 82-90. academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article/72/1/82/2631933?login=true

Respond Colleagues 1: MARLA GUADAMUZ 

RE: Discussion

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Discussion Psychological Aspects of Aging

Identify whether you have chosen to analyze Sara's or Francine's case for the Discussion.

           I have chosen Francine’s case for this week 7 discussion.

Explain key life events that have influenced Sara's or Francine’s psychological functioning. Be sure to substantiate what makes them key in your perspective.

Francine is 70years old her partner has passed away of cancer, and their partnership lasted for 30 years. Francine was always afraid of coming out to her friends and family (Walden University, LLC, 2021). Therefore, Francine’s partner Joan was always presented to her close friends as her best friend or roommate because of fear that others would reject her if they knew she was a lesbian (Walden University, LLC, 2021). She is suffering the loss of her beloved long-time partner, and she has no one to talk to. Francine had battled alcoholism in her mid-30’s, and there is also a family history (Walden University, LLC, 2021). Francine is alone with no one to talk to and no one to understand her sorrow for her partner’s death. Francine's depression, lack of enjoyment for her daily life, loneliness, and isolation are concerning, so she sought help (Walden University, LLC, 2021).     

Explain how you as a social worker might apply a theory of successful aging to Sara’s or Francine’s case. Be sure to provide support for your strategy.

           As Francine’s social worker, I would apply the activity theory social reconstruction theory to help them in their process of successful aging (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2019). Francine’s depression and alcoholism due to the loss of her partner Joan will help her strengthen her mood by keeping her busy, with physical activities suggested with the activity theory (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2019). The reconstruction theory will provide Francine with a sense of self-worth, social services to help with her everyday chores and give her creative ways, so she feels in control of her life (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2019). Francine feels lonely and isolated; perhaps having someone come over to her home and clean it will help her feel more useful (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2019). She can also go to AA meetings and find a sport that she enjoys helping her ease her depression due to the grieving she has been enduring.     

                                               Reference

Walden University, LLC. (2021). Social work case studies [Interactive media].

https://class.waldenu.edu

Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.

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Respond Colleagues 2: Kenchelle Wells 

RE: Discussion – Week 7

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Identify whether you have chosen to analyze Sara’s or Francine's case for the discussion 

I have chosen Francine for the discussion 

Explain key life events that have influenced Sara's or Francine’s psychological functioning. Be sure to substantiate what makes them key in your perspective. 

The key life events that have influenced Francine’s psychological functioning are her alcohol consumption, her relationship with Joan, and the fact that she had never been married. As a younger adult Francine had trouble with alcohol and had it under control until she lost her partner Joan. Instead of dealing with the problem she chose to self-medicate, which is never a good choice. Francine’s relationship with Joan also had a major influence on her psychological functioning. Since their relationship was a secret to not just Joan’s family but her friends as well, she was never able to grieve properly. Francine had to hide a lot of her emotions she was feeling and grieve as though she had just lost a roommate or friend. This stopped her from being her true self to those she loved. The third event was the fact that Francine never married or had kids. Not marrying or having kids left her in an isolated state when Joan died. She didn’t have anyone to go to or to look after her the way kids would have. 

Explain how you as a social worker might apply a theory of successful aging to Sara’s or Francine’s case. Be sure to provide support for your strategy. 

The theory that I would apply is the activity theory. “The activity theory asserts that the more physically and mentally active people are, the more successfully they will age” (Zastrow et al, 2019 pp. 683). When a person is physically and mentally active, they feel better about themselves physiologically, psychologically, and intellectually. Francine’s social worker had already applied the activity theory to her by getting her to spend time with her family and friends, LGBTQ center among other things. She also began to volunteer at the local library once a week (Walden University, 2021). 

Walden University, LLC. (2021). Social work case studies [Interactive media]. https://class.walden.edu 

Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning. 

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