Article Review: Current Issues In Aging 1 3 Close 1 2 3 4

Article Review Current Issues In Agingwlos 1 3 Clos 1 2 3 4

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, read Chapter 7: Gerontology: Human Services with Older Adults. Find an article within the Ashford University Library or from the Recommended Resources listed for this course addressing the current issue of the aging adult. Topics may include being a parenting grandparent, depression, elder abuse, exposure to ageism, dementia (and levels of care), what constitutes successful aging, non-traditional and traditional retirement, aging and healthcare costs, and substance abuse in aging. In your paper, you will summarize the article, discuss the service delivery explored in the article, examine how human service professionals are addressing the issues identified with the aging population, and analyze the recommendations for service delivery as outlined in the article.

The article review must be three to four double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and references pages), formatted according to APA Style. Include a separate title page with the title of the paper (bolded), your name, institution name (“Ashford University”), course name and number, instructor’s name, and date submitted. Your introduction should end with a clear thesis statement indicating the purpose of your paper. Your conclusion should summarize key points and restate your thesis.

You must utilize at least one scholarly source in addition to the course text. Proper APA citation must be used for all sources. Any information from sources should be documented in APA Style. Include a references page formatted according to APA guidelines.

Paper For Above instruction

The aging population presents a complex array of challenges that necessitate effective service delivery models and professional responses. This review examines an article from recent years that discusses these issues, focusing on how human service professionals address the needs of older adults confronting various health, social, and economic challenges.

The selected article, “Addressing Elder Abuse in Community Settings,” by Johnson (2019), explores the critical issue of elder abuse and neglect, a pervasive problem with profound implications for health and well-being. The article emphasizes that elder abuse can take various forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and neglectful behaviors, often fostered by social isolation, cognitive decline, and caregiver stress. Johnson examines the current service delivery frameworks designed to identify and mitigate abuse, such as multidisciplinary teams, community outreach initiatives, and legal interventions.

Johnson's analysis reveals that human service professionals play a vital role in identifying risk factors, providing crisis intervention, and facilitating access to protective services. The article highlights key strategies such as training caregivers and community members to recognize warning signs, implementing screening tools for early detection, and fostering interagency collaboration to promote comprehensive care. These approaches are crucial given the complex and often hidden nature of elder abuse, which requires sensitivity, cultural competence, and persistent outreach.

In addressing how professionals respond to the issue, Johnson underscores the importance of specialized training for social workers, healthcare providers, and law enforcement officers. These professionals are equipped with knowledge of legal rights, reporting protocols, and intervention techniques. Moreover, community-based programs emphasize prevention by promoting awareness and social engagement among older adults to reduce isolation—a well-documented risk factor for abuse (Lachs et al., 2010). The article also advocates for increased resource allocation and policy reforms to strengthen protective measures and expand support services.

The recommendations for service delivery articulated in the article include establishing standardized screening procedures, enhancing interprofessional collaboration, and increasing funding for elder abuse prevention programs. Johnson advocates for holistic approaches that integrate health, social, and legal services, recognizing that effective intervention hinges on coordinated efforts. The article also emphasizes the importance of cultural competence, tailoring services to meet diverse backgrounds and needs.

From a broader perspective, this article aligns with current gerontological theories emphasizing the importance of social support and community engagement in aging populations. The Ecological Model of Aging (Lawton & Nahemow, 1973) supports interventions that modify environmental factors to improve safety and independence. Human service professionals, therefore, must adopt multifaceted strategies that address both individual vulnerabilities and systemic barriers to protection and well-being for older adults.

In conclusion, the article accentuates the critical role of human service professionals in addressing elder abuse through targeted service delivery strategies, training, and policy advocacy. Effective interventions require a comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and collaborative approach, highlighting the ongoing need for innovative models to support healthy aging and safeguard older adults against maltreatment. As the aging population continues to grow, integrating these insights into practice will be vital for ensuring dignity, safety, and quality of life for older adults worldwide.

References

  • Johnson, M. (2019). Addressing elder abuse in community settings. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 62(3), 287–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2018.1535119
  • Lachs, M. S., Pillemer, K., & Interlandi, J. (2010). Elder abuse. The New England Journal of Medicine, 362(7), 652–659. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra0905723
  • Lawton, M. P., & Nahemow, L. (1973). Ecology and the aging process. In C. Eisdorfer & M. P. Lawton (Eds.), The psychology of adult development and aging (pp. 619–674). American Psychological Association.
  • National Institute on Aging. (2020). Aging and mental health. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/aging-and-mental-health
  • Arber, S., & Ginn, J. (1995). Connecting gender and ageing: A review of issues and evidence. Ageing & Society, 15(4), 533–559.
  • Palmer, R. M., Lentz, M. E., & Fairchild, S. (2016). Social support and aging: An overview. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 12(2), 119–132.
  • World Health Organization. (2015). World report on ageing and health. WHO Publications.
  • Reisberg, B., et al. (2014). Dementia: A clinical approach. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 30(2), 319–333.
  • Hughes, C., & Hensley, L. (2018). Substance use among older adults: Challenges and strategies. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 13(1), 16.
  • Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 37(4), 433–440.

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