Human Behavior in Social Environment

1. Late Adulthood: Changes, Challenges, and Adjustments Notis Pentaris

2. What are our attitudes towards aging? What do YOU think about when you think about aging? What hopes and/or worries do you have? How do you feel Western cultural norms influence our attitudes towards aging? How about other cultural norms? What exactly does it mean to grow old?

3. As we enter into late adulthood, we encounter many changes and transitions.

4. Aging involves… Biophysical Changes and Challenges Senescence and Health Issues Pharmaceutical Interventions Closer monitoring of health and wellness

5. Aging involves… Psychological Changes and Challenges Erikson: Integrity vs. Despair Attitudes Communication Self Concept

6. Aging involves… Social Changes and Challenges Friends and Activities Environmental Changes ROLE changes

7. Role Changes Retirement Grandparenthood/ Other Family Relationships Friendships and Social Networks Community Roles Transition from Provider of Care to Recipient of Care

8. Towards late adulthood… Dependence vs Independence

9. Requesting and Accepting Help Independence and Self-Sufficiency ADL’s and IADL’s Cultural Attitudes towards the Helping Process In the United States In other Countries Personal Values and Needs What happens when values are threatened and/or needs are not met?

10. What is Dignity?

11. ADJUSTMENTS and Well-Being Structures of Support (Micro, Mezzo, Macro) Activity / Engagement Studies on Activity and Wellness in Seniors Health Factors Environmental Factors Cultural Factors

12. Sources of Support Institutional (nursing homes, assisted living, etc.) Family Community (senior centers, social welfare services, Meals on Wheels, faith-based services, etc.) Helplines, the Internet Professional, in-home Nurse Aides Social Workers (including Case Managers)

13. Social Workers and Case Management What are Case Managers? What do they do? Empowerment- Oriented Practice

14. Conclusion Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. ~Mark Twain Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. ~Samuel Ullman Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. ~Chili Davis There was no respect for youth when I was young, and now that I am old, there is no respect for age - I missed it coming and going. ~J.B. Priestly

15. Resources Ashford, B. J. & LeCroy, W. C., (2008). Human Behavior in the Social Environment: A Multidimensional Perspective (4th Ed.). United States: Brooks/ Cole: Cengage Learning. Baker, L. A., Cahalin, L. P., Gerst, K., & Burr, J. A. (2005). Productive Activities and Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults: The Influence of Number of Activities and Time Committment. Social Indicators Research , 431-458. Cox, E. O. (2002). Empowerment-Oriented Practice Applied to Long-Term Care. Journal of Social Work in Long-Term Care , 27-46. Harris, S. (2004). The end of faith: Religion, terror, and the future of reason. New York: Norton Lampinen, P., Heikkinen, R. L., Kauppinen, M., & Heikkinen, E. (2006). Activity as a predictor of mental well-being among older adults. Aging and Mental Health , 454-466. http://www.caregiver.on.ca/cgddgrla.html