Historical and Contemporary Perspectives of Aging in the Work Place Research Paper

Historical and Contemporary Perspectives of Aging in the Work Place - Research Paper Example Such classifications also tend to associate individuals of the same groups with particular characteristics ranging from physical to social characteristics. This inherently leads to different perspectives held by the society concerning aging; and is particularly inherent in the workforce. Individuals of different ages are perceived differently in the workforce and the perceptions significantly vary across history, with the historical perspective of aging differing from the contemporary perspectives (Armstrong-Stassen & Schlosser, 2011). The United Nations indicated that the world’s elderly population exhibits the fastest growth rate ever. The projections indicated that by the year 2050, more than two billion people will be aged 60 and over (Brooke, Taylor, Mcloughlin & Biase, 2012). The aging populations particularly in the workforce have been described by terms such as ‘old age tsunami’ and ‘demographic time bomb’. The apocalyptic language indicates that historically, the elderly population has been small compared to the contemporary society. Those who are 60 and above are hugely talented, have the relevant experience as well as the necessary skills and knowledge. The most likely challenge that will arise in the future will, therefore, be how to maintain and capitalize on the potentiality of this age group without disposing them away in retirement. This has seen efforts by countries such as Germany and France to increase the retirement age to 62 from 60 by 2018 (Brooke, Taylor, Mcl oughlin & Biase, 2012). Historically, the elderly in the workforce have been largely subjected to voluntary or forceful retirement and entrenchment. This was in effort to accommodate the growing youth populations with better talents, skills and knowledge and who have undergone better training and educational courses. In the contemporary society, the then youthful population is now increasingly making up the elderly population. With their essential capacities, the

Assessment and Recovery from Mental Distress Essay

Assessment and Recovery from Mental Distress - Essay Example The common causes of mental illness and distress are chemical imbalances in the brain, stress and everyday problems, and exposure to severely distressing experiences such as loss of a relationship, job, death of a family member, sexual assault, killings, and violence, among others. However, some mental health experts claim that mental illness can also be inherited. There are different types of mental distress: anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, manic depressive distress, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, and many more depending on gravity and description. People who suffered from these distresses were seen with various symptoms. The person could experience upset, feeling restless, sleeplessness, tremors, nightmares, extreme sadness or despair, loss of interest in doing anything, loss of appetite, irritability, impulsiveness, depression, inability to perform daily tasks, hopelessness, sense of guilt, extreme mood swings, feeling worthless, sen se of guilt, extreme mood swings, violence, and suicidal tendencies (Borg and Kristianssen, 2004). Being mentally distressed is difficult. Some even deny they have such illness because of the prejudice and discrimination of people around them. But, having the illness is not anybody else’s fault or a sign of weakness and not something to be ashamed of (Mental Health Commission, 2007). It has been suggested that the treatment must not be delayed in order to prevent it into more severe stage. However, it has been found that conventional or traditional treatments had not been successful for many patients. If a person is seen with early stage symptoms of mental distress, it is not only a prompt treatment that must be provided to be able to recover the patient more quickly but the proper one and, there could be similar or different methods for every patient’s case. It should be noted, however, that early detection and treatment helps the patient to restore his/her respect, d ignity, and confidence, and live a full, quality life (Borg and Kristianssen, 2004). Those mentally distressed can recover, provided they seek and provided the appropriate treatment and support. The treatment can be medication, therapy, support and counseling, lifestyle adjustment, support group meetings, and, provision of an inner strength that â€Å"†¦can come from any number of places, these former patients say: love, forgiveness, faith in God, a lifelong friendship,† (Carey, 2011, P 8). Discussion A. Mental Health Nursing Mental health nursing was described as â€Å"an ‘artistic’ interpersonal-relations tradition which emphasizes the centrality of nurses’ therapeutic relationships with ‘people’ ‘in distress’ and a ‘scientific’ tradition concerned with delivery of evidence-based interventions that can be applied to good effect by nurses to ‘patients’ suffering from ‘mental illness’,à ¢â‚¬  (Norman and Ryrie, 2009, 1537). The task employs two different methods that are either integrated or complementary in order to deliver quality care to patients. It should be noted that one method is free and independent of any outlined procedure while the other is systematic and depends on evidence for its implementation. It should be also highlighted that a third factor is the â€Å"interpersonal relations†