Unit Developing Essay Example

arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease. Arteriosclerosis refers to the loss of elasticity in arteries, while atherosclerosis is the process by which arteries become hardened. Individuals with this condition may encounter various symptoms including shortness of breath, increased sweating, anxiety, and chest pain. Consequently, these symptoms can impact their social interactions as they might be reluctant to alter others' existing perceptions.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPED) leads to a decrease in self-esteem and self-confidence because it causes heightened worry and emotional stress. COPED encompasses various lung diseases that restrict airways, resulting in breathing problems. Smoking is the main determinant of COPED, and the risk escalates depending on the amount and duration of smoking.

When individuals ignore the symptoms of a 'smokers cough', COPD is often misdiagnosed. It primarily affects people aged 35 years or older. This disease can significantly impact an individual's self-confidence and self-esteem as others observe their gradual deterioration. Ultimately, they may need constant oxygen support, which leads to reduced strength and increased reliance on family members or caregivers for daily activities, depending on the severity of their condition.

Motor neuron disease, a progressive condition that impacts the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, results in gradual weakness and wasting as message transmission to muscles is disrupted. While intelligence remains unaffected, this disease can lead to alterations in emotional state and personality.

Moon sign is characterized by emotional instability, resulting in sudden shifts between laughter and uncontrollable crying. Motor neuron disease can affect individuals of all age groups, but it is commonly diagnosed in individuals above the age of 40, especially between 50 and 70

years old. This condition occurs when motor neurons, which are responsible for movement, malfunction.

Motor neurons are responsible for regulating muscle function, including:

• Walking
• Speaking
• Breathing
• Swallowing
• Changes to mental abilities

Memory issues, difficulties with learning and concentration are common.

In the final stages of motor neurons disease, individuals may experience more profound symptoms such as total body paralysis, preventing any movement. Additionally, significant breathing difficulties arise. The primary focus during this stage is to maintain the individual's comfort and prevent agitation or challenges, thereby preserving their dignity.

Three different types of motor neuron disease exist:

• Limb onset disease sometimes loss of function. Bulbar onset disease - this begins with symptoms that affect the throat and mouth, such as difficulties speaking, swallowing and slurred speech.
• Respiratory onset disease - this begins with symptoms that affect the lungs, such as shortness of breath.

Motor neuron disease can have a significant impact on an individual's self-confidence and self-esteem, causing them to become less communicative and socially isolated. The extent of this impact depends on the type of motor neuron disease. If speaking clearly is challenging, individuals may worry about being misunderstood by others, leading to a decrease in their confidence. Consequently, they may feel that others do not understand them properly, ultimately lowering their self-esteem.

Certain cancers and their treatments can cause cognitive changes, including difficulties with thinking, processing, learning, and memory. These changes can disrupt daily life and cause distress. It is important to understand that not all cancer treatments result in cognitive changes. Additionally,

these changes may occur gradually or abruptly in individuals of any age.

People who are at higher risk are cancer survivors who have experienced the following:

• Tumor located in the central nervous system
• Treatment administration directly to the central nervous system
• Treatments administration when extremely ill
• Chemotherapy and radiation given to the brain
• Chemotherapy given into the spinal fluid after radiation

Individuals' self-perception can be influenced by cognitive changes, particularly in cases of memory retention difficulties. The inability to remember learned information may lead to decreased self-esteem and frustration when recall is unsuccessful. Consequently, individuals may perceive themselves as 'stupid' if they cannot recall specific previously learned information.

Osteoarthritis, a musculoskeletal condition that primarily affects joints, is the most prevalent form of arthritis in the UK. Each year, approximately 1 million people seek medical advice for this type of arthritis. As a result, the National Health Service (NHS) performs over 140,000 hip and knee replacement surgeries annually in England and Wales.

The symptoms of this condition differ among individuals and depend on the affected joints. Sometimes, a joint can be severely damaged without causing any symptoms, whereas in other cases, even minor damage can significantly impact joint movement.

• Mild inflammation of the tissues in and around the Joints
• Damage to the cartilage, the strong, smooth surface that lines bones and allows Joints to move easily without friction
• Bony growths that develop around the edge of the Joints

Almost any joint can be affected by this condition, often the knees, hips, spine, small

hand joints, and base of the big toe. Consequently, it can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

It is commonly believed that osteoarthritis mainly affects individuals aged 50 and above, particularly women. However, young people can also be affected by this condition. Treatment options for managing osteoarthritis include physiotherapy, weight loss, painkillers, and surgical procedures such as knee or hip replacement. Osteoarthritis involves mild inflammation of tissues, damage to cartilage, and the formation of bony structures around joints. Consequently, individuals with osteoarthritis may experience discomfort or embarrassment when sharing a bed with their partner due to the symptoms associated with this condition.

Engaging in activities that may result in pain, stiffness, or difficulty can greatly affect their self-esteem. Moreover, their skin's elasticity may be reduced.

Skin elasticity refers to the skin's capability to stretch and return to its original shape. It is determined by the condition, firmness, and resilience of the underlying muscles. As individuals get older, their skin naturally begins to lose its elasticity. Despite serving as a protective shield against pathogens and harmful ultraviolet rays for internal organs, the skin gradually ages and loses its ability to bounce back.

To improve skin elasticity, you can experiment with different approaches such as maintaining a balanced diet and incorporating specific vitamins, minerals, herbs, and hormones.

• Copper
• Ginseng
• HIGH (Human Growth Hormone)
• Elastic
• Collagen
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Retinal

The substances contained in tablets and creams have advantages for rejuvenating and enhancing the flexibility of the skin. They are generally hypoallergenic,

which means they are suitable for individuals with sensitive skin. While a decrease in skin elasticity can impact one's self-confidence, it does not have an effect on overall self-esteem. This is because people are used to having firm skin and may require tablets and creams to restore their skin back to its previous state by supplying essential nutrients and vitamins.

The older population frequently resides in care homes due to aging, which can result in a decline in confidence and self-esteem. Age discrimination detrimentally impacts an individual's confidence through psychological and emotional abuse, leading to depression and low self-confidence. Consequently, older individuals may withdraw from public life, causing a loss of confidence that hinders relationships and enjoyment of companionship with the opposite sex. Ultimately, this creates a negative outlook on happiness.

The impact of self-esteem on individuals can vary over time, as it is not constant and can either increase or decrease with maturity. This means that self-esteem can fluctuate, leading individuals to underestimate their potential for growth and missing out on opportunities. It is important for individuals to recognize the level of control they have over their lives if they are willing to take responsibility.

When transitioning into retirement, many people experience a decline in self-esteem, possibly due to feeling useless without their previous responsibilities. On the other hand, ageism has its own consequences, such as depression resulting from the loss of a partner or loved ones. Bereavement is always a painful experience, regardless of how many times one goes through it.

There is a common misconception that depression is an unavoidable part of aging; however, this is not true. The elderly may confuse

grief with depression. To differentiate between the two emotions, it's crucial to note that grief involves a mix of emotions along with good and bad days, while depression entails consistent feelings of emptiness and despair. There are specific symptoms that indicate depression rather than just grief.

• Intense, inescapable sense of guilt.
• Thoughts of suicide or a preoccupation with dying. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
• Slow speech and body movements.
• Inability to function at work, home and/or school.
• Seeing or hearing things that aren't there.

Retirement is often regarded as a delightful phase, allowing individuals to cherish moments with loved ones and explore new destinations. Yet, for certain people, this shift can be daunting and even melancholic if they are uncertain about what lies ahead. This feeling of unease can be especially pronounced among those who have pursued a legal career, accustomed to fulfilling obligations and meeting client demands. The sudden absence of these definite responsibilities can lead to feelings of emptiness, confusion, and a sense of being misunderstood.

Retirement can have different effects on health and wellbeing. Some individuals find it positive, engaging in activities like hiking that surpass their previous goals and provide breathtaking views they couldn't experience while working. However, retirement can also bring negative consequences. Some people struggle to find purpose in their day, leading to habits like late waking and staying up late at night, resulting in limited social interaction and rarely leaving the house.

The theory of social disengagement suggests that as individuals age, they tend to withdraw from social contact due to declining physical

health and diminished social opportunities. However, there is insufficient statistical evidence supporting this theory's validity. Social disengagement may be influenced by factors such as poor health, limited mobility (especially for those who retired in rural areas), impaired vision, and hearing impairment. These factors can be daunting for individuals accustomed to being self-reliant when out and about.

Other factors that may contribute to a lack of social activities among older individuals include retirement and loss of contact with former colleagues. Additionally, caring for ill family members, limited access to communication options such as mobile phones or internet, and health conditions that prevent driving or computer use may also limit social engagement. According to the activity theory, older people should strive to stay mentally and socially active in order to minimize the negative effects of disengagement. Suggestions for achieving this goal may include:

• Walking
• Gardening
• Yoga
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Playing with grandchildren

If you are in a residential care home, you will need permission to leave the premises with a caregiver. However, many residential care homes have an allotment where residents can gather fresh eggs, feed chickens, and grow vegetables. This activity helps to stay active.

• Due to it being possible that the lack of mental activity may result in depression staying mentally active may help them therefore this may include:
• Studying and taking courses (for pleasure instead of employment reasons)
• Joining community activities, such as book clubs, to engage in discussion
• Taking up leisure

activities that include social activities

According to theory, as individuals get older, they may experience a desire to distance themselves from social interactions because of declining physical health and limited social opportunities. Being socially engaged involves actively taking part in these interactions, while disengaging means withdrawing from them.

The disengagement theory, created by Cumming and Henry in 1961, proposes that as individuals age, they tend to withdraw from social involvement, primarily due to restricted mobility and limited opportunities for social interaction. According to Cumming, aging individuals become more focused on themselves, caring less about others' opinions or expectations. He argued that regardless of their health, older people have the right to disengage from society as it is a natural part of aging. The theory suggests that losing contact with others is an inevitable result of biological decline and is a natural and appropriate response. However, there is limited statistical evidence to support this theory as a universal rule for everyone.

Brimley (1974) proposed the disengagement theory, which was once widely accepted. This theory posited that older individuals would inevitably experience some level of disengagement due to declines in their physical and mental resources, although some may resist this process. However, for various reasons, this theory has largely lost credibility. Brimley contends that most elderly individuals remain socially involved and maintain strong connections with family and friends. In fact, as they age, many older adults grow closer to their families, possibly because they

prefer spending time with familiar loved ones rather than making new friendships.

Introduced in 1961 by Cummings and Henry, the disengagement theory posited that older individuals should withdraw from society due to technological limitations and lack of access to communication. However, Brimley challenged this theory in 1966, suggesting that while some disengagement may be necessary, older adults should also remain active to prevent excessive withdrawal. Brimley emphasized motivating and encouraging seniors to utilize available resources and abandon apathy and fixed habits. He also proposed the Activity Theory as a means of mitigating disengagement risks. Studies have demonstrated the importance of considering physical activity as declining physical health can impact mental ability later in life.

If the brain remains idle, it can weaken connections between nerve cells and lead to forgetfulness. Moreover, a lack of mental activity may cause depression and result in physical inactivity, negatively affecting our health. To combat this, many older individuals opt to engage in mental activities.

• Studying and taking course (for pleasure instead of employment reasons)
• Joining in community activities, such as book clubs, to engage in concussion
• Taking up leisure activities that include social activities
• Deliberately tackle crosswords and puzzles to practice thinking skills
• Enjoying conversations and discussions with friends - perhaps in a restaurant or pub

Both the disengagement theory and the activity theory have contrasting perspectives on participation in activities within day and residential care homes. The disengagement theory suggests that older individuals tend to isolate themselves from society because of declining physical health and limited social opportunities. On the other hand, the

activity theory argues that engaging in mental and social activities can lessen the negative consequences of withdrawal. According to this viewpoint, as people age, their mobility decreases, leading to fewer chances for social interaction.

The belief that older individuals become more independent and care less about others' opinions is shared by some. However, the activity theory opposes this notion and emphasizes engaging in mental and social activities to maintain cognitive function. On the other hand, the disengagement theory proposes that aging individuals gradually withdraw from their societal roles as they confront the inevitable reality of their mortality. In response, society is expected to adapt and prepare for their absence.

The activity theory and the withdrawal theory have different perspectives on ageing well. While the activity theory emphasizes the positive relationship between staying active and ageing well, the withdrawal theory fails to acknowledge the role of the elderly's social circle in anticipating their death. However, both theories agree that individuals in old age are eager to reflect on their lives. They may engage in activities such as revisiting favorite places, reviewing scrapbooks, photo albums, and videos, and sharing stories, even if they have been heard before. Through this process, they hope to relive the happy moments and search for a sense of purpose that defined their lives as they strive to find meaning in life.