NRS221 - reflection PDF

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Assessment tittle: Perception of Ageing and Aged Care: A Reflection Part 1 (700 words) Perception of ageing is mostly affected by a person’s acquired skills, knowledge and experience. There is a belief in our society that ageing is unavoidably linked with significant mental and physical deterioration. Even my perception for ageing was memory loss, misery, fatigue, poor vision, arthritis, feeble, agitation, inactiveness, vulnerability, grumpiness and psychological damage. It took me a while to understand from acquired knowledge and education that ageing is not a problem but just a change exerted by associated diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and dementia that come with age and make these elderly people decline gradually (Koutoukidis et al., 2017, p. 297). For example, Alzheimer’s, a common form of dementia has a significant effect on the brain causing cognitive decline and other issues such as losing their ability to live and function independently (dementia Australia, 2017). I have noticed from personal experience working in an aged care facility, those who escape age-related diseases still enjoy their life and continue growing old healthier. In my opinion, ageism which is a discrimination based on age, stereotype and prejudice are the most dangerous thing. Ageism serves as a broad ideology for social categorisation of elderly people and the reason for their residualised and de-valued status in the society (Higgs & Gilleard, 2019). The root of this mentally projected view of negative beliefs, attitudes, norms and values are used widely in many forms to rationale stereotypical views of the elderly people (Koutoukidis et al., 2017, p. 292). This stigma is that strong that even a young person can implant a fear about old age. We hear government warning about pension and housing bills rising all the time, newspaper talk about ageing as a timebomb: a disaster on the scale of a financial crisis. As a society, we have turned ageing into a threat. Have we got it wrong and could this negative view be undermining our overall health? We have convinced ourselves that old people are economically unproductive and dependent hence they hold a lower status. Even the whole system in our society proves this discrimination is legit by declining applications from elderly people for a job. This socially structured discrimination hinders fair employment practices, encourages institutional abuse and segregate old people from society (Higgs & Gilleard, 2019). This perception of elderly people not being competent does not stack up in reality. We need to move on with constructive thinking and disregard the idea of old age as a social burden. We have to acknowledge that they can be healthier, smarter and happier than a younger person. Another important aspect of healthy ageing is cultural background. According to Australian census figures, 30.22% of Australians were born overseas in 2011 (Koutoukidis et al., 2017, p. 301). It would be very hard for elderly people to adapt care strategies where cultural characteristics are not supported or acknowledged. I have struggled in work placements to make a rapport with elderly patients with different cultural background. That patient with Indian background would ask me if he can have male nurse to take him to the bathroom. They may feel isolated and alienated because of lack of cultural interaction and communication. It is very essential for nurses to understand and acknowledge that barrier and to refrain self from cultural misconception and stereotypes (Koutoukidis et al., 2017, p. 292).

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But the change does not occur immediately. We need proper interventions to tackle people’s unpleasant perception and convert it to the acceptance and respect to the physical and mental competences via psychological theories of ageing such as activity theory and continuity theory which promote the continuation of active participation essential for healthy ageing (Koutoukidis et al., 2017, p. 295). As a nurse, I have to change my negative perception, stand out of the stereotype and be alarmed if a reportable act occurs at the workplace or anywhere else. I will listen to them rather than making assumptions and provide them with lots of information so that they can choose the right option for themselves. My professional responsibility would be to upgrade my knowledge and understanding or familiarise self with laws while treating elderly patients to avoid ageist behaviours, maltreatment and discrimination. I would consider myself successful if I can make elderly patient’s experience positive, memorable and reinforce healthy ageing and wellness.

Part 2 Currency : The peer reviewed journal article ‘The ideology of ageism versus the social imaginary of the fourth age: two differing approaches to the negative contexts of old age’ from Aging & Society (2020), written by Paul Higgs and Chris Gilleard is less than two years old with online published date of 06 March 2019. Reliability : The journal article is peer reviewed by experts , published online by Cambridge University Press and have used many credible references. The writers worked in University College London in division of Psychiatry and faculty of brain sciences and have provided with writer’s email address. It is found in Charles Sturt University ’s library database which also proves its reliability. This article basically revolves around the term ‘Ageism’ and its impact on old age ideology. Authority: The writers are linked to University College London. Paul Higgs worked as professor of the Sociology of Ageing in the faculty of Brain Sciences whereas Chris Gilleard is research fellow in the division of Psychiatry and Academy of Social Sciences. Purpose : The authors of the article have given their opinion to go beyond and explore other possibilities and causes rather than the term ‘Ageism’ which they think have affect our thinking and action against older population. They want to challenge this concept of ageism serving as basis of structural discrimination and negative concept towards old age. They forwarded the idea of social imaginary of forth age which they argued will address corporeality of old age and provide theoretical approach to the issues of later life (Higgs & Gilleard, 2019). They have backed up their opinion with various credible references. The possible audience could be the gerontologist, social workers, fellow researchers and nursing students who are interested in studying new ideas about the old age ideation.

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References Dementia Australia. (2017). Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.dementia.org.au/sites/default/files/helpsheets/HelpsheetAboutDementia13-AlzheimersDisease_english.pdf Higgs, P., & Gilleard, C. (2019). The ideology of ageism versus the social imaginary of the fourth age: Two differing approaches to the negative contexts of old age. Ageing and Society, 40(8), 1617–1630. https://doi:10.1017/S0144686X19000096 Koutoukidis, G., & Stainton, K., & Hughson, J. (2017). Tabbners’s nursing care theory and practice (7th ed.). Elsevier.

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