The Information Behavior Of The Elderly - 6585 Words

The Information Behavior of the Elderly Who are the elderly? For the purposes of this paper the elderly, who may hereafter be referred to as seniors, senior citizens, and/or older adults is defined as persons over the age of 65. Senior citizens are one of the fastest growing populations in both the United States and Canada. It has been projected that the population of senior citizens in the U.S. will double by 2026. This population is by no means homogenous and, for the purpose of studies, is sometimes broken down into groups referred to as the â€Å"young old,† those 65-69, the â€Å"middle old,† those 70-79 and the â€Å"very old† or â€Å"old old,† those 80 and older. This is not the case with all studies but is the most common method of stratifying this population. What do seniors want to know? By far the most common area in which information is sought by the elderly is health. This was unanimously reported across multiple studies discussed within this paper. Other common topics include but are not limited to: finance, social services, and recreation. Overall, the very old have significantly fewer information needs than the middle old who have fewer identified information needs than the â€Å"young old.† This is with the exception of health information; the only area in which information needs were not significantly diminished for the oldest old. Physiological factors affecting the information behavior of the elderly Although many seniors develop new hobbies, participate in communityShow MoreRelatedSuicide Is Nothing At Joke About The Modern Society1382 Words   |  6 Pagesbeing aware of this problem, Most people would not understand why this problem exists. As shown by research, there are important biological, psychological, and social factors that influence suicidal behavior in older individuals. As shown, by identifying the variables that influence suicidal behavior, clinicians can find new ways to prevent and intervene with suicidal older individuals. The paper concludes that only a coordinated effort between different health care providers can effectively addressRead MoreThe Importance Of Diabetic Patients For Depression755 Words   |  4 Pagesimportance for screening all elderly diabetic patients for depression, as diabetes, food insecurity and depression often go hand in hand (Bot, Pouwer, Zuidersma, Van Melle, De Jonge, 2012). LaVance, Fairchild and Rosado (2015), found that diabetics are twice as likely than nondiabetics to have depression, resulting in noncompliance with diet, exercise, and medication routines, leading to poor glycemic control, poor outcomes and even death. Therefore, nurses should screen all elderly diabetics for depressionRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Frontotemporal Dementia995 Words   |  4 Pagesincrease in the number of elderlies in the United States. One of the largest generations reaching elderly status also brings an increase in curiosity on their health; particularly their mental health. With nearly 69% of practicing psychologist working with older patients, it is clear that there is a particular interest in how the elderly behave and think (Kring Johnson, 2015). This curiosity and prevalence of elderlies brings along an increase awareness of commonly thought â€Å"elderly specific† illnessesRead MoreMental Disorders Among Geriatrics Are One Of The Most Costly P ublic Health Dilemmas1055 Words   |  5 Pagesgeriatrics are one of the most costly public health dilemmas. Depression, suicidal behavior, and Alzheimer’s are just a few common mental illnesses the elderly suffers from. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention the number of older adults with mental illnesses is predicted to incline drastically. The growth of the population, has caused a burden on numerous healthcare facilities in America and many elderly individuals are less likely to seek a mental health professional. Various organizationsRead MoreChallenges of Caring for Elderly Patients1839 Words   |  7 Pagesbaby boomers goes into the older adult phase, the number of elderly individuals requiring medical services will certainly magnify (Topaz, Maxim Doron, 2013). Older patients who come to the emergency department usually have more complicated conditions than younger patients. The older persons typically have multiple co-existing diseases, take di fferent medications and present with atypical symptoms (Peters, 2010). The management of elderly patients is further complicated by numerous aging-related changesRead MoreThe Quality Of Life And The Age Of An American1540 Words   |  7 PagesAddressing this issue is so important because health promotion and the quality of life must improve for our aging population (Martin, 1991). If we continue to overlook this issue we will see tremendous set backs in not only the overall well-being of the elderly, but also a deterioration of cognitive skills as well as physical skills (Hawkins, Hoffman, Mockenhaupt, Ory Sanner, 2003). The longevity of life is only increasing in the United States. Today one in eight Americans are aged 65 or older (HawkinsRead MorePaper On Emergency Room Caretakers982 Words   |  4 Pagesweather or not they know the proper techniques to talk to their clients about suicidal thoughts. This information is important knowledge that I think everyone should be informed about. T his can lead to more open and honest conversations between family members and care takers about warning signs of suicidal thoughts within their elderly loved ones. Being able to recognition signs and behaviors related to suicidal thoughts and actions is an important skill that people should learn. It becomes especiallyRead MoreWhat Are Elder Abuse?896 Words   |  4 Pagesolder person. Abuse can take many forms such as withholding food, water, care, medication and shelter, isolating and restraining the elderly without medical reasons, it can also be intentional or unintentional neglect. 2. What are the recognized types of elder abuse? a. Physical abuse – use of intentional force that cause pain, injury or impairement in the elderly. It includes but not limited to violence such as beating, striking, slapping, pushing, kicking and pinching. It also includes inappropriateRead MoreElderly Suicides And Depression Rural Areas1281 Words   |  6 PagesElderly Suicides and Depression in Rural Areas Introduction Suicide has been a growing issue over the years, gaining more attention over time. As of 2014, it was reported that 42,773 Americans had taken their own lives, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death (CDC, 2014). Attention has always been held heavily on young adults, although statistics show that the populations with the highest rate of suicide of Americans are ages 85 and older [19.3%] and 45-64 years of age [19.2%] (AFSP, 2014)Read MoreElder Abuse in Nursing Homes859 Words   |  3 Pagessigns of sexual abuse. Sudden financial strain may be the result of exploitation. Bedsores, unintended medical care, poor hygiene and sudden weight loss can be a result of neglect. Be alert, if you notice any of these signs, or a sudden change in behavior or personality in your loved one, they may be in an abusive situation. While visiting your loved ones in a facility or at their home there are several warning signs you can look for to know whether or not you should suspect abuse. In most abuse