Walden University The Aging Process and Human Behavior Discussion Paper

Discussion 1: The Aging Process Response

Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.

Respond to at least two colleague’s post in one of the following ways:

From a strength’s perspective, critique your colleague’s approach to addressing Francine’s case. Provide support for your critique.
Critique your colleague’s strategy for applying knowledge of the aging process to work with older clients. Discuss how cultural, ethnic, and societal influences might affect the application of this strategy.

Be sure to support your posts with specific references to the resources. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full APA-formatted citations for your references.

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Colleague 1: Lacresha

According to Zastrow et Al., the process of aging is natural and is associated with changes in dynamic biological, physiological, environmental, psychological, behavioral, and social processes (Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman & Hessenauer, 2019). Factors that affect the aging process are usually contributing from an individual’s lifestyle including alcohol consumption, diet, exercise, medications, and genetic influences (Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman & Hessenauer, 2019). As we previously learned, a person’s environment consists of several factors including geographic location as well as the social environment including an individual’s culture, traditions, and beliefs (Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman & Hessenauer, 2019)

For the case of Francine applying the understanding of aging helps identify environmental contributors. Several factors such as her family history of alcohol abuse (genetic), combined with her own alcohol consumption could affect Francine’s aging process (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014). In addition, her a sedentary career (exercise) as a librarian, could also be a possible contributing factor related to her aging being accelerated (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014). As social workers, identifying avoidable contributors of aging for the elderly population is essential to serving the increasingly diverse aging population (NASW, 2018)

Our role as social workers is to enhance resources that assist individuals in learning, coping, or adjusting to the aging experience, while also helping with medical care and other social problems such as financial assistance (NASW 2018). For the social worker in Francine’s case, helping her adjust to the loss of the partner by providing support groups, and other coping resources to encourage her independence, while also respecting her strengths are ways to help her process the aging experience (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014). The needs of the older population are for support services that counteract the effects of aging limitations (Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman & Hessenauer, 2019). Considering that Francine initially sought counseling for her depressive state and lack of life enjoyment, the focus should be on preserving her physical and mental health (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014). For social workers that serve the older population, focusing on the preservation or enhancement of functioning and of quality of life of our clients is essential to the overall care (Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman & Hessenauer, 2019). One strategy I would employ working with the older population is the use of is engagement and identifying strengths. In understanding that various factors that affect the aging process, social workers can advocate for the development of resources/practices that lead to better quality lives for the elderly population in general.

References

NASW. (2018). National Association of Social Workers (NASW)- Aging. https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Aging.

Plummer, S. B., Makris, S.., Brocksen, S.M. (Eds.). (2014). Baltimore, MD: Laureate

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

Colleague 2: Emily

Francine has lived a successful life, but it included the stress of keeping her sexual orientation and her relationship with Joan private from her family and friends (Plummer, 2014). After Joan died, Francine felt that she could not confide in her family to support her loss because she never told them about the intimacy level she and Joan had together (Plummer, 2014). This created a combination of loneliness, isolation, and depression for Francine.

Francine’s environment has influenced her aging process due to the amount of stress she is experiencing. Stress can accelerate the aging process, primarily when a significant event occurs like a partner’s death. Another factor that has likely influenced Francine’s aging process is her use of alcohol. She suffered from an alcohol abuse disorder when she was younger (Plummer, 2014). Although she has been in recovery for some time, her alcohol abuse may have sped up some of her aging processes. Her recent use of alcohol is also a factor.

These events have occurred at a time in her life when Francine’s physical health has been changing. She is likely slowing down physically, losing the acuity of her senses, and maybe noticing her appearance is changing (Zastrow & Kirst- Ashman, 2019). As Francine’s social worker, I would focus on ways to reduce her isolation, depression, and loneliness. Francine appears to be going through a grieving process. I will contact the LGBTQ Community Center to see if they have specific support groups, bereavement groups, or counseling services available to support Francine. I would encourage Francine to attend a group session to allow her to share her struggles with others who have experienced similar losses. It is not uncommon for the elderly to experience depression as they age, but these feelings can be complicated by being a part of the LGBTQ community. It would be especially helpful if she could connect to LGBTQ support group members because she could confide in them and not hide her sexuality. Relaxing techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or exercise could also help ease her depression (Zastrow & Kirst- Ashman, 2019).

An additional strategy that I could apply when working with older adults is to use an empowering approach. Older individuals often feel frustrated when having to depend on others due to their mental and physical health. As a social worker, I can link my clients to Senior Centers, and Adult Day Centers. These support services can help an older individual address some issues and perspectives for a healthier lifestyle, both physically and mentally.

References

Plummer, S. B. Makris., & Brocken, S.M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies:Foundation year. Laureate International Universities Publishing. {Vital Source e-reader}. Working with the Aging: The Case of Francine

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2018). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.