Discussion Psychological Aspects Of Agingtheories Of Successful Aging ✓ Solved

Discussion: Psychological Aspects of Aging Theories of successful aging explain factors that support individuals as they grow old, contributing to their ability to function. Increasing your understanding of factors that support successful aging improves your ability to address the needs of elderly clients and their families. Explain key life events that have influenced Sara's relationships. Be sure to substantiate what makes them key in your perspective. · Explain how you, as Sara's social worker, might apply a theory of successful aging to her case. Be sure to provide support for your strategy.

Assignment: Models of Grieving The death of a loved one is a significant event that everyone experiences. An individual's social environment, including societal and familial cultural factors, may influence how an individual approaches death or grieves the loss of someone else who dies. You can anticipate addressing grief in your social work practice and, therefore, should develop an understanding of the grieving process. Models of grieving may identify stages through which an individual progresses in response to the death of a loved one; however, these stages do not necessarily occur in lockstep order. People who experience these stages may do so in different order or revisit stages in a circular fashion.

Understanding the various ways individuals cope with grief helps you to anticipate their responses and to assist them in managing their grief. Select one model of grieving to address in this assignment Submit a 2-page paper in which you: · Explain how you, as a social worker, might apply the grieving model you selected to your work with families in a hospice environment. · Explain why you selected to use the grieving model you selected versus other models of grief. · Identify components of the grieving model that you think might be difficult to apply to your social work practice. Explain why you anticipate these challenges. · Identify strategies you might use for your own self care as a social worker dealing with grief counseling.

Explain why these strategies might be effective. References Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories . Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader]. · "The Parker Family" (pp. 6-8) Zastrow, C.

H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. · Chapter 15, "Psychological Aspects of Later Adulthood" (pp. ) Laureate Education (Producer). (2013). Parker family: Episode 2 [Video file].

Retrieved from Cappeliez, P., & Robitaille, A. (2010). Coping mediates the relationships between reminiscence and psychological well-being among older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 14(7), 807–818. Ong, A. D., Bergeman, C.

S., Bisconti, T. L., & Wallace, K. A. (2006). Psychological resilience, positive emotions, and successful adaptation to stress in later life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(4), 730–749 Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (2010).

The dual process model of coping with bereavement: A decade on. Omega, 61(4), 273–289. Weiss, D., & Lang, F. R. (2009). Thinking about my generation: Adaptive effects of a dual age identity in later adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 24(3), 729–734.

Paper for above instructions

Psychological Aspects of Aging: Theories of Successful Aging

Aging is a multifaceted process that encompasses physiological, psychological, and social dimensions. Understanding the psychological aspects of aging and the models of successful aging is vital for social workers and healthcare providers engaged with older adults. This discussion focuses on the theoretical frameworks surrounding successful aging through the lens of relationship dynamics, particularly concerning an individual named Sara.

Key Life Events Influencing Relationships

Sara, like many older adults, has experienced pivotal life events that have significantly influenced her relationships. For instance, the death of a spouse or long-term partner can profoundly affect an individual's social support network, adjustment to life changes, and emotional well-being. The resultant grief can weaken ties with family members or diminish social engagement (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2019).
Another crucial event could be Sara's retirement from work. Employment often extends beyond financial sustenance to social belonging. Losing a job could lead to feelings of isolation, thereby impacting her relationships negatively. Research indicates that retirement can lead to changes in social interactions and may cause an increase in depressive symptoms or loneliness among older adults (Cappeliez & Robitaille, 2010).
Moreover, changes related to health—such as chronic illnesses or cognitive decline—can also dictate Sara's interconnectedness with her family and friends. The loss of independence can lead to role changes within relationships, putting a strain on connections that were previously supportive.
These events are key as they symbolize transitions that can challenge Sara's adaptive capacities, consequently impacting her relationship quality. Emphasizing the importance of social support in these instances is critical, as emotional bonds can facilitate resilience.

Application of Successful Aging Theory

As Sara's social worker, applying the theory of successful aging posited by Rowe and Kahn (1997) becomes essential. This theory includes three main components: low probability of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functioning, and active engagement with life. I would focus on enhancing Sara's active engagement with her community and family, which often declines with age.
Strategies could involve connecting Sara to community resources or programs that cater to older adults, such as recreational activities, volunteer opportunities, and educational workshops. These initiatives can foster social engagement and serve to reinforce her identity as an active community member (Ong et al., 2006).
Encouraging her to maintain and create new relationships is also vital. This interaction can be promoted through support groups or social clubs for older adults that focus on shared experiences and interests. Sara’s increased interaction may reduce her feelings of loneliness and enhance her overall psychological health, operationalizing Rowe and Kahn's model effectively.

Grieving Process in Hospice Care: The Dual Process Model

In addressing grief, I would like to utilize the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement developed by Stroebe and Schut (2010). This model suggests that individuals oscillate between two types of coping: loss-oriented and restoration-oriented. Loss-oriented coping focuses on grief and confronting the loss, while restoration-oriented coping emphasizes adapting to life without the deceased.
By employing this model in a hospice setting, I would guide families through their grief by acknowledging their loss while simultaneously helping them to reconstruct their life. For families struggling to process the impending loss, I might facilitate sessions that allow them to express their feelings openly and create a memorialization of their loved ones, validating their loss-oriented coping.
On the other hand, it is equally important to help these families embrace restoration-oriented coping by engaging them in discussions about what their life will look like post-loss, perhaps focusing on creating new family traditions or memories. Structuring therapeutic sessions to promote this oscillation between coping mechanisms can be highly beneficial.

Selection of the Dual Process Model

The decision to employ the Dual Process Model over other grief models, such as Kübler-Ross’s Five Stages of Grief, arises from its emphasis on the fluid nature of grief. Unlike linear models, the dual process approach accepts the repetitive oscillation of grief responses, aligning well with the complex emotions families face in hospice care (Weiss & Lang, 2009).
However, components of this model may also pose challenges in application. Clients might resist moving toward restoration-oriented coping, clinging instead to their loss. They may find it difficult to envision a life without their loved one, which could hinder therapeutic progress (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2019).

Strategies for Self-Care in Grief Counseling

Dealing with grief counseling can take an emotional toll on social workers; therefore, self-care strategies are imperative. Techniques such as mindfulness, regular physical activity, and seeking supervision or peer support groups can be effective in managing stress and emotional exhaustion. Mindfulness practices can help social workers remain present and attentive in their work while also allowing them to process their emotions adequately (Ong et al., 2006).
Physical activity has been shown to relieve stress and enhance one’s mood, which is particularly important for social workers engaging with bereaved individuals regularly. Additionally, ongoing supervision can offer a platform for discussing challenging cases and emotional responses, fostering resilience and professional growth (Plummer et al., 2014).
In conclusion, an understanding of successful aging and grief models equips social workers to offer enhanced support to elderly clients and their families, paving the way for better psychological well-being during the aging process.

References

- Cappeliez, P., & Robitaille, A. (2010). Coping mediates the relationships between reminiscence and psychological well-being among older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 14(7), 807-818.
- Ong, A. D., Bergeman, C. S., Bisconti, T. L., & Wallace, K. A. (2006). Psychological resilience, positive emotions, and successful adaptation to stress in later life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(4), 730-749.
- Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing.
- Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 37(4), 433-440.
- Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (2010). The dual process model of coping with bereavement: A decade on. Omega, 61(4), 273-289.
- Weiss, D., & Lang, F. R. (2009). Thinking about my generation: Adaptive effects of a dual age identity in later adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 24(3), 729-734.
- Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
- Laureate Education (Producer). (2013). Parker family: Episode 2 [Video file].
- Ong, A. D., et al. (2006). "Aging." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(4), 730-749.
This solution emphasizes a holistic understanding of psychological aging while integrating theories and models into practical social work. It highlights the importance of relational dynamics and addresses the broader context of grieving, while offering concrete self-care strategies for social workers.