Читать книгу Pathy's Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine - Группа авторов - Страница 102

It is useful to view older people as a product of life‐course events. Thus, infancy, childhood, and adolescence occur in the first two decades of life and involve preparation for a job while living at home as a dependent. Adulthood and middle age bring with them increasing involvement in work, marriage, and creating a family in an independent setting. People in old age may have experienced the departure of grown children, retirement, the death of loved ones, and increasing dependency. This may help account for the notion that the very old are, or at least perceive themselves to be, isolated and a ‘burden to society’ and have feelings of unworthiness. To maximize the quality of life in older adults, providers must understand the importance of social relationships and family structures and how they interact with individuals' health status. Providers must work with public policy advocates to combat insidious ageism that leads older adults to think of themselves as ‘others’ or a ‘burden.’ These concepts are discussed in more detail below.