Application: Research on Aging
There are many specialized topics related to aging. Most revolve around health issues. As people age, they have more health problems, need more health care, and are better able to thrive with more social support.
In the United States, social support has been a role filled by families. Health care is not equal, because not everyone has the same financial access to health care. However, the U.S. has excellent scientific research supported by universities, private organizations, and the government. This creates a dichotomy-the difference between what is known and what can be delivered. A lot is known, but the ability to use that knowledge for the healthy and positive aging of everyone is limited.
What do you want to know most about aging? You will get the chance to explore a topic or situation of your choosing.
For this Application Assignment, you will research a topic/situation from the following list: widowhood, prospects of dying, dementia, Alzheimer's, nursing-home care, hospice, palliative care, and euthanasia.
To prepare for this assignment:
Choose one topic/situation related to aging from the list above, one that has personal meaning for you; that is, one that either you or someone you know is experiencing or is likely to experience.
Review text material related to that topic/situation from Chapter 14 and/or Chapter 15 in the course text, Experiencing the Lifespan.
Locate and review one resource from the Walden Library or the Internet that enhances your understanding of the topic/situation.
Think about how your text reading and research findings apply to the topic/situation you have selected and to you or the person you have in mind for this assignment.
Consider how quality of life in old age, as it relates to the topic/situation and as it relates to you or the person you selected, might be improved based on your reading and research.
The assignment (1-2 pages):
Briefly describe the topic/situation you selected, the person you have in mind (whether it is yourself or someone you know), and the reason you selected the topic/situation and the person.
Synthesize the critical information about this topic/situation - information that would best inform those facing the challenges posed by the situation; that is, the person who would experience it, as well as the family/caregivers of that person.
Apply what you learned by predicting a potential outcome for you or the person you selected and the situation.
Suggest what might be done to improve quality of life for you or the person you selected.