Effects of Ageism
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Among the clinical concepts of significance with respect to older client populations is the notion that there are specific tasks associated with aging (Burlingame, 1999). As individuals age, they must come to terms with such issues as (eventually) declining health and physical prowess, coping with retirement and financial changes, maintenance of satisfactory living arrangements, loss of independence and of significant others, efficient use of medical, social and emotional supports, revised relationships, and so forth. Each of these tasks must be addressed successfully in different ways as the individual ages and, most significantly, as physical health status changes. Simultaneously, as Levy (2001) noted, older individuals are often victimized by ageism, which can also challenge a personÆs sense of autonomy and well-being and lead to lowered self-esteem and a negative self-concept. In working with older clients at gateway, I often encountered this issue at the micro, mezzo and macro levels; for example, one client expressed concern with the fact that she was often ignored by her adult children when decisions regarding her care needed to be made (the micro level), while another expressed frustration because of the way that she was treated by her physicians and other caregivers (the mezzo or social level). Interventions included role-playing with these clients to assist them in becoming more assertive regarding their own needs and concerns.
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d her looks.ö This client had attempted to participate in an ôolder singlesÆ group sponsored by a church organization, but felt uncomfortable because of her age; she was Asian-American and, though surrounded by her children and grandchildren, felt that the ôbest partö of her life had ended with her husbandÆs death.
To assist the client in overcoming her fears of rejection and her sense of isolation, social workers at gateway encouraged her to participate in a wider range and variety of activities with peers of both genders. At the micro level, an exercise regime and a new diet assisted the client in regaining a greater sense of physical appeal. At the macro level, her participation in group activities with others similarly situated returned her to a more positive outlook on life. She developed friendships with men and women and began to socialize in groups with her friends. She became less dependent on her adult children û though she remained very close as is the custom in Asian-American families (Burlingame, 1999).
From my perspective as a social worker, learning more about different cultures and the impact of culture on the aging process was of great importance. Burlingame (1999) emphasized the fact that different
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Approximate Word count = 2248
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)
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