CH 4: Life transitions and story Flashcards
Defined as the prejudices and stereotypes that are applied to older people sheerly on the basis of their age
ageism
ageism predisposes aging person to:
disappointment, as aging is believed to lead to purposelessness and decline
considerations of loss from older adults parenting
Adjustment to independence of their children
Separate family units may help parent-child relationship develop on an adult-adult basis
Freed from responsibility of parenting, but also freed from meaningful activities with child rearing and providing
sense of loss
positives of grandparenting
Grandchildren bring considerable joy!
Grandparents can share life experiences and family history and traditions
Can assume childcare responsibilities to a greater extent than previous generations
Today’s grandparents may have an active career and social life and don’t want grandparenting burden
Increase rate of grandparents raising grandchildren
nursing considerations for grandparenting
Suggest activities to connect with grandchildren
Communication frequently (email, social media, text, handwritten letters)
Keep diaries, scrapbooks, and family recipes for future generations
Allow their own children to make traditions; respect their children as parents and not interfere
consequences of loss of a spouse
can be intolerable
sexual desires are unfulfilled
age, limited education, lack of skills, and long period of unemployment are limitations
higher portion of women widows
one spouse may have been financial dependent on the other
nursing considerations for pt who lost a spouse
Facilitate the adjustment to widowhood
Encourage involvement in long-time friendships and organizations
Help enjoy new freedom and lifestyle
phases of retirement
pre-retirement
retirement
contentment
disenchantment
reorientation
routine
adjustments for older adults in retirement
Loss of the work role with adjustments to income
Older adults view work as dues required for society
People who define themselves by their work role have difficulty adjusting to retirement
Alternative/delayed retirement
nursing considerations for retirement
Assist in retirement preparations
Educate to practice good health habits & counseling
Be supportive
Encourage engagement in family, leisure, learning, and service activities
Reflect on your views of retirement and how it can influence the client
phase: people being to think seriously about what they want and the lifestyle they desire in retirement
pre-retirement
phase: you transition from full-time work to you own dream retirement
retirement
phase: a positive phase when you get to enjoy all you’ve worked for
contentment
phase: ‘after-honeymoon’ feeling - money is there but a feeling of uselessness may occur
disenchantment
phase: this can be a challenging phase as retirees being to refocus and redefine who why are and their role in society
reorientation
as retirement becomes more familiar, people adjust to lifestyle and their routines they’ve built
renewed sense of daycare
routine
retirees live on a reduced income; examples
Retirement income is less than half of employed income
Supplemental social security
retirement income can trigger other adjustments
Relocation
Altered dietary practices
Viewing healthcare as a luxury
Reduction in leisure pursuits
nusring considerations for reduced income
Encourage retirement plans in younger age
Be aware of economic impact on welfare of health status
changes in health and functioning
may be adjusting to a new body image and self concept
can deny, resist, or exaggerate the change
fear of dependency
children may have difficulty with exchanging dependent roles
nursing consideration for changes in health and functioning
Encourage healthy behaviors
Preserve as much independence and dignity as possible
difficulty of shrinking social world
loss of connections and increased risk of loneliness
sensory deficits contributing
needs personal contact, love, extra support, and attention
nursing considerations for shrinking social world
Telephone reassurance and home visits
Faith Community
Locate and help to join social groups
Relocation
Pets
Readjust energy and maximize socialization
Readjust needs (give pain meds before social activity; adjust fluid intake and bathroom visits and breaks)
Process of intentionally reflecting on past experiences to assess one’s life in totality
life review
positives from facilitating a life review
Elicits life story
Promotes self-reflection
Strengthens older adults’ inner resources
Important process to facilitate integrity
Can be therapeutic
Recognizes the impact of an aged person’s life
Awareness of the realities of mind, body, and spirit of who one is
self-reflection
how to complete self-reflection
Journaling
Writing letters and e-mails
Reflecting through art
how can nurses facilitate empowerment
Active participation of older adults in care planning
Avoid ageism mannerisms
Provide a variety of options
Advocate
Offer feedback, positive reinforcement, encouragement, and support
