Running head: PHILOSOPHY PAPER

Philosophy Paper Sunaly K. Yang California State University, San Bernardino

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2 Sunaly Yang November 30, 2012 Aging and Elderly: Holistic Approach

Statement My philosophy of health is to take a holistic approach in order to understand what the elderly and aging population needs to make them lead a more satisfied life (Stenger, Smith et al., 1980). This philosophy should help improve and support the lives of the aging by having family members become more involved in their lives, aside from healthcare providers. The focus of this health philosophy is for the physical, social and spiritual wellness of the elderly individuals and the involvement from their immediate family members or relatives and health care providers. Principles There are several points that contribute to the holistic model, but I will focus on the body or physical, social and spirit components. These components will also include the other factors I am not focusing on since these points are very likely to affect one another. The first is the most obvious and that is the physical well being of the elderly individual (Stenger, Smith et al., 1980). The elderly population is very likely to want to maintain their independence. However, if they arent careful they are very prone to injure themselves by accident because of their frail bodies. These injuries can be partially prevented if the elderly individual was a very active person. But in the case that an elderly individual that has a hard time moving about we should have them exercise to keep their bodies in a better condition or the family members should help give assistance. The second point is the social aspect of the philosophy. It can get lonely

PHILOSOPHY PAPER when a person doesnt have anyone to talk to or to depend on ; thus, an emotional component. The elderly population usually has tangible experience that they want to express to the younger generation. Communication is key in making the elderly individual feel loved as well as build trust and a stronger bond. The third point is the

spiritual element. According to Brewer (2011), in the East Asian cultures, the elders hold knowledge about the cultural rituals and keeps the family together. In the Western culture, prayer and faith are important in an elderly individuals well being and deeper understanding of their spirituality and connecting with other people (Brewer, 2011; Correspondent, 1999). Explanation and justification This philosophy is necessary for health because the elderly and aging population in America needs more help than they let on. Most Americans would most likely think of their elderly grandparents or parents as fiercely independent, but once it is evident that they need assistance, they should be given the best of care and support so that they can live satisfied lives. This would prevent the many costly trips and extended stay in hospitals, not to mention the equally costly prescriptions. Since the aging population is fairly active, it is a good idea to have them channel that energy into exercising and help their bodies become healthier. Stenger & Smith (2011) recommend having the aging population exercise that will strengthen their muscles which will also help make the joints more flexible. As for socializing, this can relieve their stress and give them something to look forward to. Here, Stenger & Smith (2011), advises that social interaction helps alleviate stress factors as well as getting involved in activities such as activities such as exercise [and] relaxation meditation. In regards to spirituality, the

PHILOSOPHY PAPER elderly will need this to connect with other people and as well as look into the deeper meanings of that which guides their faith (Brewer, 2011; Correspondent, 1999). However, spirituality for in the East Asian culture, elders are usually respected figures

and often are the ones teaching the younger generation how to uphold cultural traditions, unlike in the Western culture in which the aging population looks for deeper meanings in their faith and activities that they find themselves in (Brewer, 2011). Regardless of the form of spirituality the aging individual chooses as their spiritual factor, they all are connecting with others through those various forms. This philosophy is relates to and is justified in the professional Responsibilities and Competencies for Health Education for Entry Levels because I assessed the elderly and aging population by looking over scholarly journals to look for existing philosophies similar to mine and from those studies, I decided what I thought were the important factors for improving the lives of said population. This philosophy will help improve the lives of the elderly and hold the Health Education profession and its employers responsible for their actions, credibility, and preparations. Application and contribution This holistic approach has been administered mostly the in the nursing field for palliative care, home nursing care and in geriatric hospitals. This approach is also used as treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes. This approach was incorporated into another profession by the name of Health, Physical education, Recreation and Dance (HPRD). The HPRD profession was discussed in the journal from Stenger & Smith in which they evaluated the health issues of the elderly and then implemented the holistic model for the purpose of establishing a better physical and psychological plan

PHILOSOPHY PAPER for the needs of the elderly. (Stenger, Smith et al., 2011)

A holistic approach was implemented by the name of The Parish Nurse Program at Provena St. Joseph Hospital in which the holistic approach was based on the physical, spiritual and emotional needs. Since its implementation, there have been more parish nurses assigned to other churches to carry out this program with all the nurses from the same hospital. (Correspondent, 1999) Conclusion This philosophy would promote health and the health profession because other similar holistic models have already been hugely successful with their approaches and this one will help the health profession provide a more satisfied life for the aging population by appeasing to the elderly individuals physical activities, social interactions and spiritual association. This model is fairly basic in its approach, but with more time and effort and constant revising, I think it will be possible.

PHILOSOPHY PAPER References Brewer, L. (2011). Ancestors, elders, and the role of spirituality in late life. International Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Society, 1(1), 37-43. Correspondent, M. (1999). Nursing physical, spiritual and emotional needs program allows practitioners to take a holistic approach. Daily Herald, 1. Stenger, L. , Smith, C. , & ERIC Clearinghouse on Teacher Education, W. (1985). Healthy Moves for Older Adults. Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Monograph No. One. n.p.:

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For instance, I know relatives that are still very independent despite having a hard time getting from one place to another. At a time like this, its natural to help them especially if one is the elderly individuals children or grandchildren. I also understand that many aging individuals do not want to bother their busy and bustling families about their situations, but I personally think that they could benefit from a helping hand. I would rather the elderly walk across the floor than having them trip and damaging their hips or pelvis. Also, by helping, we will have to communicate. While walking across the floor, it would be much more pleasant to have a small chat with the elderly and connect with them that way. Personally, my experience with my grandmother was similar. When she no longer had the strength to sit up on her bed, my siblings or I would help her sit up while trying to having small talk. Or we would already have a conversation going; usually its a story from her younger days. It really makes her happy to tell us stories from her memories. The The family members of the elderly individual should help assist My philosophy of health is to better understand the aging and elderly population through communication so that they can receive better physical care and live a higher quality of life at their respective ages (Koop, 1982). The focus of this philosophy is to help improve and support the lives of the aging by having family members become more involved in their lives, aside from healthcare providers. I come from a community which values the elders and aging population. The younger generations are taught to give support to the elderly and that can be any such thing as helping them out physically or just chatting with them. Based on my community and cultural upbringing, I believe

PHILOSOPHY PAPER that there must be great care and respect given to the elderly, especially if they have a need that can be assisted. With that in mind, it is possible to help the aging population live a much more enhanced life by providing a holistic environment for them. Principles By taking a holistic approach in this philosophy, there are several principle components involved: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and social (Hernandez, 2011). These aspects often effect and work in conjunction with each other. Often, physical wellness is usually considered first. With the aging and elderly population we need to know how well they can still do their daily activities independent of others.

Because the elderly still want to hold onto their independence, healthcare providers and family members can suggest improved physical activities for a better life (Online Holistic Wellness, 2012). .|||. spiritual aspects can help give the aging and elderly population something to keep their minds and faith engaged. My philosophy of health is for the elderly population to have a better quality of life which nurses and family members of the elderly individuals help provide proper care in the following forms: physically, emotionally, and socially (Koop, 1982). This type of philosophy borrows from a holistic view in which the well being of the individual depends on a few components such as physical, emotional, and social well being. With these components taken into consideration, it will help provide better treatment and understanding for making the lives of the elderly population less of a bleak experience. Again, the focus here will be the elderly population. Nowadays, there are more and more cases of chronic diseases as the population live longer lives. The elderly

PHILOSOPHY PAPER individuals that haves advance stages of chronic diseases are less likely to keep leading an active lifestyle without feeling pain. Here, the families of the elderly individuals and the attending nurses need to help make these individuals life less painful and more sociable so they can at least have some good memories while enduring their disease conditions. 2. Principles There are a couple of principles that will help make up this philosophy. The first principle is Many of these principles will work in conjunction with each other. The first is the

physical wellness of the individual. In order provide better care for the elderly population, we have to assess and know how independent the elderly individual can get around and do on their own. From my experience, the majority of elderly that I have met are fiercely independent. They do not accept physical help unless they absolutely cannot help themselves. (ex, cite) The second is the mentality and social aspect of the elderly. Elderly that do not have a (ex, cite) The third is the spirituality that the individual is involved in. (ex, cite) The fourth and fifth principles are emotional and social aspects. 3. Explanation and justification This philosophy is necessary for health because it helps makes the care providers of the elderly become aware of situations that the elderly are in and with that in mind, the care providers can develop better care management for the aging population. Care 4. Application and contribution This philosophy is necessary for health because it

PHILOSOPHY PAPER 5. Conclusion

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PHILOSOPHY PAPER References

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Brewer, L. (2011). Ancestors, elders, and the role of spirituality in late life. International Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Society, 1(1), 37-43. Correspondent, M. (1999). Nursing physical, spiritual and emotional needs program allows practitioners to take a holistic approach. Daily Herald, 1. Stenger, L. , Smith, C. , & ERIC Clearinghouse on Teacher Education, W. (1985). Healthy Moves for Older Adults. Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Monograph No. One. n.p.: