The Gerontology Society of America defines successful agisng as “adding life to years, not jusot more years to life (Roberts & Adams, 2018).”2.
Response post 1
Your reply posts should be 100 to 150 words, with a minimum of one supporting reference included.
The Gerontology Society of America defines successful aging as “adding life to years, not jusot more years to life (Roberts & Adams, 2018).” Thus, successful aging is directly related to a person’s views on their quality of life (QOL). The assessment of one’s QOL includes a person’s subjective thoughts and feeling about their life situation at any point in the life span. As an individual age, their QOL may be compromised by their increased vulnerability to losses in health, functioning, and social relationships. Studies show QOL is largely affected by aspects of persons living environment. Research shows older adults who enter senior housing report a decrease in their QOL. However, two characteristics were associated with a better QOL in senior housing: being of the female gender and having social support (Roberts & Adams, 2018). Thus, it is important for senior housing institutions to make sure they have interventions in place to increase the social support of their residents.
The baby boomer population with cause this age group to double in the next two decades. Consequently, the amount of senior housing needs to increase. This increase includes independent living and supportive care. Studies indicate the baby boomer population is looking for a more urban experience. This population is looking for certain amenities to aid in a comfortable living environment and provide opportunities for socializing. They want access to high-quality healthcare, connections to public transport, and accessible neighborhoods. The troubles facing the baby boomer population is future access to low-income housing (Sisson, 2017).
When making decisions about a loved one’s living environment it is important to acknowledge it is an aspect of a person’s life that greatly impacts their QOL. Research indicates residents living in senior living report and decrease in QOL. Taking those facts into consideration, living independently as long as possible should be paramount in making decisions about older adults’ living situation.
Response 2
Your reply posts should be 100 to 150 words, with a minimum of one supporting reference included.
Social capital represents the resources that are available to a population through social connections and relations with others. As older adults have access to social capital they are able to maintain productive, independent, and fulfilling lives.
Social capital plays an important role in the growing aging population as it allows individuals to have a quality of life. A number of implementations are necessary to rebuild the decline of social capital, things like senior housing, care development, assisted living facilities are a good place to start however, research shows that for a large number of older adults assisted living facilities can be financially inaccessible (Cannuscio et al. 2003).
One trend that is very common in the aging population is the large number of older adults who live alone in their homes. Statistics suggest that in 1979 it was estimated that 10 million older adults were living alone; by 1996 this number increased to 24.9 million. These numbers are very alarming because when older people live alone they become more vulnerable to aging concerns like isolation, financial insecurity, and more (Cannuscio et al. 2003).
The involvement of older adults in church, or social clubs, and other volunteer work helps maintain the social capital in society. Researchers suggest, based on different observations, that a cohort of people who were born in the 1920s and even those born in the 1960s exhibited the same behavior when it came to being involved in community work and staying engaged (Cannuscio et al. 2003). This is valuable information as it helps understand that baby boomers will have that same impact in the community to live healthy lives and stay engaged with others (Sisson, 2017).
The literature agrees that assisted living facilities are a better option for senior housing. They offer a better sense of home to individuals where they can maintain a certain level of independence and socialize with their peers. In addition, these types of settings offer a better environment for families to be around and interact with their loved ones (Cannuscio et al. 2003).
Due to U.S zoning, many assisted living facilities (ALF) are geographically isolated which defeats the purpose of community integration that older adults desperately need in their old age. Furthermore, due to federal regulations ALF may not be allowed to provide skilled nursing care to patients who are care-dependent (Cannuscio et al. 2003).
Clinicians should utilize the benefits of social capital by assessing the living situation of elderly people during clinical assessment. Providers should also encourage older adults to get engaged in different clubs or activities in their local community. There is a great need for sociologists and gerontologists to get more involved in long-term housing and encourage integration into local communities (Cannuscio et al. 2003).
