Peter: An Essay On Old Age And Health.

Peter's Life

Peter as an individual has lived in Australia for more than 60 years and has a wife of 60 years along with two children who are aged 38 and 39 years respectively. He came to Australia from Tibet as a young boy along with his mother, father, elder sister and elder brother. However, when he was merely 16 years old, he lost his mother due to respiratory issues. Further, his father died of old age in 1980 while his elder sister passed away in 1986 due to cervical cancer. Later in the year 2021, he lost his elder brother due to old age related health issues. Prior to his retirement, he served as a teacher for a local high school and is a very well known member of the community as he is very helpful in the neighbourhood as well as is socially active. Furthermore, he has a diverse friend circle and is seen hanging out with them quite often usually while playing cards.

Peter is seemingly healthy for an individual his age but has hypertension as well as diabetes. Upon being asked of family history concerning the same, he stated that his parents were unaware of it due to lack of medical facilities. He had an accident in 2010 that led to him cracking his “patella” and he had to undergo through surgery to fix the same. He states that during the winter months, his affected area aches a bit but does not pose any major issues such as lack of mobility or unbearable pain for which pain medication is to be consumed.  To manage his hypertension he takes “Olmetor -20” everyday around 8 o’clock in the morning and takes his herbal concoction for diabetes every night before bed. He does not have any major issues apart from the mentioned ailments.

The idea of healthy ageing and related concepts (e.g., happy ageing, productive ageing, pleasant ageing, ageing well, and ageing constructively) have changed through time as a result of population demographic shifts. Healthy ageing is the process of acquiring and maintaining the ability to engage in things that bring you delight as you age. The World Health Organization (2022) (WHO) defines health as more than the absence of sickness or harm. It encompasses more than bodily and mental health; it is a state of total physiological, psychological, and social well-being. Rudnicka et al., (2020) state that World Health Organization (WHO) encourages people to consider healthy ageing, which it defines as when people of all ages may live a healthy, safe, and socially equitable living in their older years. Health and social care are not the only factors that affect an individual's health and well-being; various others do as well. The programme requires participation from all sectors that have an impact on health determinants. A life cycle perspective is also considered, which explores how experiences in a person's early life affect how they mature throughout their lives (Marsman et al., 2018). Therefore, aligning the same with Peter’s case, he is a jovial individual who has his entire family by his side in the ripe age of 72 years. Even though he has ailments concerning hypertension and diabetes, it has not exceeded the danger limit and is staying in check due to the consumption medication as well as medicinal elements. In terms of his financial condition, he is secure as he was a teacher prior to his retirement. Furthermore, his social circle is also present with him undertaking leisurely activities post retirement and he has positive views concerning ageing.  He is also considered to be one of the most respectful members of the community. Along with these aspects, he is also regarded as Moreover, his cognition is also good and healthy.

References

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