Component High Distinction
Component High Distinction
85-100% Distinction
75-84% Credit
65-74% Pass
50-64% Fail
Below 50%
Introduction
5% Well written, succinct, and clear introduction. States the purpose of the essay.
Outlines all the main points being covered. Well written and clear introduction.
States the purpose of the essay.
Outlines most of the main points being covered. Clear introduction.
States the purpose of the essay.
Outlines some of the main points being covered. Introduction is present but unclear.
States the purpose of the essay.
Limited outline of the main points being covered. Little to no introduction present.
Does not states the purpose of the essay.
Little to no outline of the main points being covered.
Analysis of the chosen topic
40% Exemplary grasp and analysis of key issues, theories, and debates pertaining to the chosen topic.
Key terms are all defined.
All key concepts are discussed and applied insightfully. Excellent grasp and analysis of key issues, theories, and debates as they pertain to the chosen topic.
Key terms are mostly defined.
Most key concepts are discussed. Good grasp and analysis of key issues, theories, and debates as they pertain to the chosen topic.
Key terms are somewhat defined.
Some key concepts are discussed. Satisfactory grasp and analysis of key issues, theories, and debates as they pertain to the chosen topic.
Key terms are defined in a basic manner.
An attempt is made to discuss key concepts. Insufficient grasp and analysis of key issues, theories, and debates as they pertain to the chosen topic.
Little to no key terms defined.
Little to no attempt is made to discuss key concepts.
Critical Analysis of relevant literature
40% Insightful, comprehensive analysis of the relevant literature.
Compare and contrast of relevant literature well-balanced and comprehensive. Comprehensive analysis of the relevant literature.
Compare and contrast of relevant literature well balanced. Good analysis of the relevant literature. Compare and contrast of relevant literature evidenced soundly. Satisfactory critical analysis of relevant literature. Compare and contrast of relevant literature attempted. Little to no critical analysis of relevant literature. Little to no evidence of compare and contrast of relevant literature.
Conclusion
5% Well written, succinct, and clear conclusion. Excellent summary of the content.
Shows originality and creativity. Well written and clear conclusion. Most of the content is summarised. Clear conclusion. Some of the content is summarised. Conclusion is present, but unclear. An attempt is made to summarise the content. A new point not covered in the essay is presented. Little to no conclusion present. Incoherent and lacking significant detail required of an essay conclusion.
Presentation
5%
Academic and Professional Presentation Exemplary reading and application of academic literature / Exemplary professional presentation / Exemplary writing skills (grammar, spelling, structure, clarity, etc.) Excellent reading and application of academic literature / Excellent professional presentation / excellent writing skills Good reading and application of academic literature / good professional presentation / good writing skills. Satisfactory reading and application of academic literature / beginning professional presentation / satisfactory writing skills. Insufficient reading and application of academic literature / unprofessional presentation / poor writing skills.
APA Style
5%
APA 7th ed. Style All APA style citations, references, and formatting are correct with no errors. Almost all APA style citations, references, and formatting are correct with minor
Late adulthood (old age) is notably considered to begin at about 65 years of age and older. During this time in life older adults are more inclined to be confronted with increased physical decline, loss of loved ones, decline in friendship and social interactions, increased health problems and death anxiety.
According to Erik Eriksons (1950) concluding psychosocial conflict theory, ego versus integrity older adults come to turn with ones own life. Integrity versus despair is defined as, the process in which individuals reflect on their life journey to make sense of their success and failures (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2019, p. 580). Older adults come to a phase in their life where they reflect on their adjustments that resulted in successes or losses, that are all inevitable parts of ones life journey. For instance, the outcomes of special relationships, parenting, career, friendships, financial decisions, and community participation all play an important role in reflection (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2019). The capability to fully views ones life experience with ego integrity contributes to emotional stability and satisfaction that achieves integrity. Compared to despair, where older adults view their life choices as mistakes, and they negatively communicate their regrets to self and others. Negative views prevent older adults from entering the mindset of ego integrity, and without ego integrity they struggle to accept death is near. In addition, they sense feelings of hopelessness, no joy in their daily life and therefore become unmotivated to do things that results in feeling happy and satisfied with life (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2019). In a study that consist of 88 older adults between the ages of 55-88 years researchers explored the relationship between strengths use, meaning in life, mental wellbeing, self-perception of ageing and socio-demographics characteristics of older adults. They report that coming from a positive strength-based mindset is critical for positive mental health and the process of healthy ageing in later life (Braumann & Eiroa-Orosa, 2016). Older adults who are high in ego integrity they uphold honourable moral behaviours by displaying kindness and trustworthiness towards self and other that promotes healthy social interaction and wellbeing (Brambilla & Leach, 2014). Therefore, it is imperative for individuals to reflect on their life with positive meaning and satisfaction, instead of, reminiscing on faults that create feelings of bitterness and disillusion, as this helps to resolve the conflict of integrity versus despair.
During late adulthood a majority of older adulthood many older adults rely on spiritual and/or religion views for wisdom and comfort. Spiritual wellbeing refers to transcending to a dimension to gain wisdom that positions one to think and behave positively towards self and others, as well as, to gain a stronger sense of identity, inner peace, integrity, and goals and direction in life (Velasco-Gonzalez & Rioux, 2013). Whereas religion is a set of institutionalized system of religious, attitudes, beliefs and practice that invites one to have a relationship with God, Jesus and the holy spirit who provide higher knowledge that strengthens and guide ones thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in their life journey. Furthermore, according to Turesky & Shifts (2010) as people progress through each of Erikson psychosocial developmental stage, older adults shift from a material and physical outlook to a more inner transcendent source, such as God or a higher power for support. In fact, both religion and spirituality have been found to be positive predicators of personal wellbeing, even though studies results are not consistent across all research (Villani et al., 2019). Spirituality and religiosity both improve individuals character and sensibility as well as provides a source of comfort, security, and emotional support. However, older adults who do not believe in religion or spirituality rely on their own cultural worldviews and unhealthy expectations. During time of crisis older adults struggle in their decision making, that results in, feelings of despair. In brief, older adults who have gained wisdom and emotional stability connect well with others, compared to, unbelievers who rely only on their cultural worldview beliefs and values and expectations. Resulting in, relying on others rather than seeking what resonates with them, which may lead to conflictual relationships. Therefore, in brief, it is wise for older religious, spiritual, and non-believers to connect and to socialize with like-minded individuals for healthy social wellbeing. 274
Older adulthood is a time when older adults benefit from participating in strength-based physical activity and mental activity as to continue to be remain independent in their daily and social activities for as long as possible. Strength-based exercise, such as, weights, yoga, water-aerobics, walking, tai-chi, and biking riding, all support good strength muscle tone and mental activities, such as, card games, bingo and arts and crafts. In addition, strength-based exercises also improve psychological wellbeing in people by increasing the heart rate, which pumps oxygen to the brain, which triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin that improves mood and self-efficacy. Resulting in, an overall good health status. Moreover, psychological scientist suggests actively participating in a variety of unfamiliar activities provides excitement and can promote a more youthful brain (Nyberg & Pudus, (2019). In brief, pleasurable activities not only alleviate stress, they also allow older adults the opportunity to socialize, to learn, and to nurture one another.
In later life many older adults experience a change in their social relationships and interaction through death or psychological and physical illness, that can cause periods of loneliness (Thompson et al., 2022). Social relationships with partners, siblings, relatives, friends, and associates are important to older adults level of social wellbeing, and especially adult value sibling relationships because they want to be a special part of their life so that they can share their life stories for them to be passed to the next generation. Interestingly, between 30 to 75 years of age, older people select an average of around ten people as close friends in their life (Powell, 1998). A recent study by Thompson et al., (2022) explored the relationship between several close friends and loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress found that by having a reasonable number of friends is associated with better self-reported mental health. More precisely, for instance, two close friends is associated with depression and the threshold of two people is associated with stress; three close friends is associated with anxiety, whereas four close friends resulted in a decrease in loneliness. Moreover, Carstensen and colleagues they propose a life-span theory of socioemotional selectivity, that argues social contact is motivated by a variety of goals, including information seeking, self-concept, and emotional regulation (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2019, p. 521). Furthermore, they discovered that young adults focus on information seeking by exploring their environment and trying to figure out where they belong in society. Whereas older adults focus more on the emotional aspects of their life, where they become more selective in their choices and prefer to remain close to the people they already know (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2019). 1077
Social support
Social support.Many older people come down with some from illness that prevents them
According to the 201718 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) National Health Survey (NHS), an estimated 3 in 4 (74%) older Australians (aged 65 and over) reported their health as good, very good or excellent including:
42% who reported their health as being very good or excellent
32% who reported their health as being good (ABS 2018).
Older men and women self-assessed their health similarly. Around 2 in 5 older men (41%) and older women (43%) reported their health as very good or excellent, and 1 in 4 older men (27%) and women (26%) reported their health as being fair or poor (ABS 2018). Older people aged 6574 were more likely to report their health as very good or excellent than older people aged 75 and over, and less likely to report their health as fair or poor (ABS 2018) (Figure 3A.1).
Figure 3A.1: Older Australians self-assessed health status by sex and age group, 201718
The stacked column graph shows the percentage of people with a self-assessed health status as fair or poor increased with age. 22% of people aged 6574 assessed their health status as fair or poor compared with 36% of people aged 85 and over in 201718. However, on average people aged 65 and over were more likely to have an excellent or very good self-assessed health status (42%).
from being fully independent however dependent on others to have all their needs meet.
Strokes may cause several difficult psychosocial challenges whereby the survivor is unable to independently meet their own needs and therefore rely on family members and community health services to assist the stroke victim with their personal needs. Specialized involves human resources such as interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary services play a major role in helping older adults to regain social wellbeing by providing specialised care. For example, community-based home service involve visits from occupational health therapist (OT), social workers, neuropsychologist, speech therapist, and physiotherapist and dietitian.
Family members need to be educated about strokes and with how to support their older adult during rehabilitation as to regain mental and physical strength the best way possible. And
, . Specialized care will assist stroke victims to sort a new way of living to have their personal needs meet, as independent as permitted.
Analysis
The prevalence of disability among older Australians has remained relatively stable in recent years, at 51% in 2015 (ABS 2019).
The rate of disability increased with age in 2018, rising from 36% of people aged 6569 to 85% of those 90 and over (Figure 3A.2). The need for assistance at older ages is likely a trigger for needing formal support services such as aged care.
Older people experience different levels of disability. The severity of disability is defined by whether a person needs help, has difficulty, or uses aids or equipment with 3 core activities of communication, mobility or self-care, and is grouped for mild, moderate, severe and profound limitation. In 2018, nearly 1 in 5 (18%) older Australians (aged 65 and over) had severe or profound disability (that is, they sometimes or always needed help with self-care, mobility or communication) (AIHW 2020).
In 2018, 49% of older men and 50% of older women had disability, and 15% of older men and 20% of older women had severe or profound disability (ABS 2019; AIHW 2020).
For men, coronary heart disease was the leading cause across all older age groups. For women aged 6574, the leading cause was lung cancer and for all other older age groups, it was dementia including Alzheimers disease (AIHW 2022a).
Acording to NCBI (2018) Approximately one third of older adults report depressive symptoms and 20% report anxiety during the first months or years following a stroke (ncbi.nim.nih.gove> pmc Promoting psychological wellbeing being following a stroke:study protocol for 3 April 2018).
References
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Bailly, N., Martinent, G., Ferrand, C., Agli, O., Giraudeau, C., Gana, K., & Roussiau, N. (2018). Spirituality, social support, and flexibility among older adults: a five-year longitudinal study.International Psychogeriatrics,30(12), 1745-1752.
Brambilla, M., & Leach, C. W. (2014). On the importance of being moral: The distinctive role of morality in social judgment.Social Cognition,32(4), 397.
Carr, K., & Weir, P. L. (2017). A qualitative description of successful aging through different decades of older adulthood.Aging & mental health,21(12), 1317-1325.
Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2019). Human development: A life-span view. (8th ed.) Cengage.
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Nyberg, L., & Pudas, S. (2019). Successful memory aging.Annual Review of Psychology,70, 219-243.
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Velasco-Gonzalez, L., & Rioux, L. (2013). The Spiritual Well-Being of Elderly People: A Study of a French Sample. Journal of Religion and Health, 53(4), 11231137. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10943-013-9710-5.
Villani D, Sorgente A, Iannello P and Antonietti A (2019) The Role of Spirituality and Religiosity in Subjective Well-Being of Individuals With Different Religious Status. Front. Psychol. 10:1525. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01525
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Derek G. Turesky & Jessica M. Schultz (2010) Spirituality Among Older
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