I decided to interview someone I did not know well before the interview to understand their experience better. As such, I decided to visit the senior center for the interview, and I knew the setting would provide me a deeper insight into my interviewee’s emotional, physical, and social experiences. With the help of the nurses at the center, I identified and sought the permission of an 81-year-old lady who was cognitively capable of answering my questions. She agreed to have the interview that took only one hour with very interactive conversations.
I had numerous stereotypes and misconceptions regarding aging before the interview. First, I believed that it must be extremely boring and lonely to be old. Besides, I did not understand why families chose to commit their relatives to such centers and nursing homes when they aged. I believed that it could be because it is difficult to live with them at home. Secondly, I believed that the aged are too needy and demanding. Why else would they be forced to live away from their loved ones? Thirdly, the elderly are always ill and in need of constant health care. Lastly, I thought that they must be disappointed with others for turning their backs on them. Generally, I even feared getting old because of the perceived experience.
Some of the stereotypes and misconceptions were negated during the interview, although some were justified fears. First, I learned that the elderly feel a loss of their productive days and even believe that they are a burden to society. However, my interviewee acknowledged that she was somehow satisfied with her accomplishments in life and that she has very few regrets. Secondly, I learned that the decision to go to the center was largely hers since she needed her family to continue with their normal life without overburdening them. In fact, they still love her a lot and visit regularly. Although medical problems increase as people age, they are as normal as medical problems affecting the general population. Besides, some individuals have a very healthy life regardless of their age. Lastly, although the aged lose some of their friends as they age, they gain new relationships. According to my interviewee, she is content with the friends she has made at the center. The interview provided a chance to learn more about the aged adults.
I had several surprises in the interview. While I expected to find old and frail individuals at the center, I was surprised to learn that some were very healthy and strong regardless of their age. Like my interviewee could walk uprightly without the support and told me that she rarely takes medicine. Another thing that surprised me in the interview was the kind of accommodation for diversity evident at the center. My interviewee surprised me by acknowledging that they lived in harmony regardless of cultural, racial, and other differences. I was also surprised to learn the value of friendship and leisure at the center. The management encourages a normal life for the residents.
I have not considered focusing on gerontology as an area of practice since I did not understand aging and the aged. I realized that I had a lot to learn in this area if I decided to focus on it in practice. However, the interview has changed most of my prevailing views about the individuals. As a result, this is an area I would be interested in learning more about and potentially practicing in the future.
The assignment provided numerous lessons about older adults. First, I learned that they are an important part of society and need love and care. While my interviewee was healthy and strong, I encountered others who needed medical and physical support to continue their daily lives. Secondly, I learned that the center is not necessarily isolated because society does not care. In fact, it is a source of the necessary support for the elderly to have meaningful end-of-life care. The centers provide the social support that is lacking at home, where everyone is working. Finally, I discovered that elderly adults crave social connections as they age and lose their connections while younger. Thus, they are one of the groups in our society that needs our attention and support.
The COVID 19 pandemic has had a major toll on the aged, especially in nursing homes. The event has created deeper knowledge regarding the need for better ways of handling emergencies in such settings. First, such facilities should be equipped with better medical facilities and emergency services, such as ambulances, for a speedy response. Secondly, those handling the medical needs of the most vulnerable in society should be adequately trained to handle emergencies. Thirdly, the most vulnerable should be sensitized to call for help in case of emergencies if they are cognitively able. Finally, there should be adequate counselling for medical professionals and the vulnerable to overcome the negative effects of such pandemics.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
