Theoretical Foundations

Deliverable Length:  5 pages

Aging is a natural process that begins at birth. As individuals age, they experience various medical, mental, and physical issues, ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Understanding these many issues are important elements of effective leadership in a gerontological setting.

You have been hired as a Gerontological Consultant by your county’s health department to educate the County Commissioners on aging. You have been asked to develop an executive summary that highlights the most prominent medical, mental, and physical issues affecting the population segment aged 65 and older in the United States.

Your goal is to educate these leaders on the issues surrounding their aging population. Using the electronic resources available to you, research the following data to develop your executive summary:

• County demographics (such as geographic location, population details, census details)
• Details on the population segment aged 65 and older in your selected county (such as population breakdown, residence preferences, and average annual income)
• What medical, mental, and physical issues are affecting the population segment aged 65 and older in the United States? Be sure to support your assertions with credible facts.
• Recommendations for the aging population to prepare for these issues
• Recommendations for gerontological professionals to prepare for these issues

Your submission must be formatted according to APA 6th edition standards, including the proper use of headers, citations, references, and direct quotes.  This course discusses the various medical, mental and physical issues related to aging along with social and financial issues that may evolve with an aging population. Counseling theories and methods are discussed along with a discussion of various counseling services offered. An overview of changes in the aging human body is discussed including cardiovascular and central nervous systems and their impact on mental abilities and behavior patterns.

Analyze and compare options when presented with problems and decisions demonstrating a solid understanding of policies and procedures.

Compose an analysis of the cultural environment of a long-term care facility and the social and psychological implication on residents at various levels.

Describe the various medical, mental and physical issues related to aging

Differentiate various counseling services offered and their value to the aging population

Explain how weaknesses in the cardiovascular and central nervous system impact mental abilities and behavior patterns with the impact on oversight and services provided