Essay about Sociology: Activities of Daily Living and Social Economic Status

Submitted By chadadam12345678
Words: 1591
Pages: 7
Open Document
Chad Adam
Ms. Bonfiglio
Sociology Aging
7 May 2013
Aging: Successful or Stressful?
We all have fears. Like many, we fear what we do not understand. One source of uncertainty that we all encounter, sooner or later, has to deal with growing old. Old age is a process; it sneaks up on us, as Phyllis Diller said, “Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out” (2). From this truth, I can begin to look in to the aging process and the effects on the human life course. From my observations, I will analyze and discuss social network, health aging, education level, social economic status, and daily activities in the assisted living facility for seniors over sixty-five.
When I arrived at the facility Summerhill Villa, I walked in to a building with two twelve-foot doors made of wood and glass. The lobby had marble floors and marble counter tops, with a large spiral stair case to my left. The Staff at the front desk were very pleasant; she had me sign in and gave me a tour of the facility. The main building had two levels, three common areas, and a dining hall. While on the tour, I counted fifteen staff working in the main building and three men working odd jobs. The facility seemed to be well staffed. Then I was taken over to the secondary building, which was across the parking lot, this building houses the patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The building had three floors, with three staff per a floor. The building as a whole seemed understaffed for the amount of patients. The front door had a code to get in and out of the building. The staff said, “that sometimes the patients try to leave the building to go back to their family.” When I heard that comment, I began to think about the social network of the patients.
On the first day, I was assigned to the main building to entertain in the upstairs common area. When I arrived, there were sixteen Caucasian ladies sitting in a circle staring at each other. I started to engage them with simple questions: their names, where they are from, and how their day is going. Out of the sixteen Caucasian ladies, eight were from New York, Six were local, and four were from Florida. Only three had regular visits from family. That means out of sixteen people, only eighteen percent have regular visits. Eighteen percent is a low number of people getting visits from nuclear or extended family. I feel this observation supports the exchange theory because when the family member has nothing more to offer, he/she becomes worthless and disregarded. Furthermore, later in the common area, I had some one-on-one conversation with four separate women. Out of the four only one had regular visits; in addition, two of the patients disengaged the conversation on the subject of family. I clearly saw that day that when a family member is placed in an assisted living home, the family has acted on the functionalism theory. I feel that the assisted living home has become the last resort for many of the patients.
On the second day, I wanted to focus on how the patients were aging healthy in the assisted living facility. When I arrived in the parking lot, I noticed a woman with her dog sitting in the sun, with a big smile on her face. When I engaged in conversation with the women, I found out she has a sociology degree, sits in the sun for two hours a day and she walks ten laps around the parking lot every morning. I feel the woman falls under the age stratification theory combined with continuity theory. My observation is that from the daily routine of exercise, sun light, and enjoyment of life has aided her in living a healthy life. On the other hand, later that day, when I was on rounds to wake people for dinner, a man was sitting in his chair when we opened the door the lights and TV were off, and the shades closed. The room was musty as if it had been a couple days since hes taken a shower. I asked the staff member, why she would allow the patient to live
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about Sociology: Activities of Daily Living and Social Economic Status

Sociological Perspectives On Health And Social Care

Introduction: In the intricate tapestry of human existence, health and illness are not merely physiological states but deeply embedded social phenomena. Sociology, with its focus on the complexities of human interaction and societal structures, offers invaluable insights into understanding the experience of illness and the broader dynamics shaping health and disease within society (Brown et al., 2019). At the heart of this endeavor lies a concerted effort to unravel the multifaceted layers of illness…

Words 1315 - Pages 6

Introduction to Sociology essay work in progress

Introduction to Sociology “Sociology is the scientific study of human groups and social behaviour, including its origins, development, organisations, and institutions”. (Anon., n.d.) It uses various methods of investigation and analysis to develop knowledge about social order, social disorder and social change. Sociology and psychology are both social sciences, and deal with behaviour. Sociologists focus on groups of people -- societies, including culture, religion and traditions. Sociologists…

Words 3378 - Pages 14

Case Study Essay

Introduction Modernity is a term created by sociologists in the late 19th century which describes the wide range of technological, economic, social and political changes that have taken place since the industrial revolution and shape today’s modern society. The beginning of modernity, commonly referred to as ‘the great transformation’ (Bilton 2002, p.24), saw society rapidly change through various complex and intertwined processes. In this case study I will focus on two processes, industrialisation…

Words 2248 - Pages 9

Immigration: High School and Respondents Essay

adaptation to the American society. This topic is of special interest to me because I was curious to find studies that conclude that second generation Dominicans are academically succeeding better than the first generation and have improved their economic status much more than their parental immigrants. This paper will include six sections. The introduction will follow literature review relevant to the topic and the succeeding sections will include the hypothesis, followed by the research design, analysis…

Words 4019 - Pages 17

ChildObesity GLT1 Essay

Child Obesity Lisa Moreau Western Governors University Child Obesity Child obesity is a social epidemic presenting challenges to the Government, society and the American family today. It crosses a variety of ethnic, geographic, economic and social environments. Obesity is causing an increase strain on the healthcare system, contributing to the $150 billion annual cost of healthcare provided, which is a breakdown of almost 10 percent of the National medical budget. Obesity increases risks…

Words 1533 - Pages 7

Essay about Child Labor and Academic Performance

Chapter I The Problem and Its Background A.Background of the Study Child labour is a worldwide problem regardless of the economic status of a country. This social phenomenon continues to exist both in developed and developing countries. The Philippines as one of Newly Industrializing Countries, also encounters the same (C. Diaz, personal communication, December 7, 2009). Child labour is rampant in this country due to poverty. It deprives basic right to education and health (Philippine Star…

Words 3867 - Pages 16

Article Review Of Socioeconomic Disparities In Health Behaviors

disease and avoidable mortality. In this article, the author sought to examine the socioeconomic differences of why low-SES more often act in ways that harm their health than high-SES. Behaviors such as tobacco and alcohol use are commonplace in both economic class, so there must be something more to it than that. Methods that the author used were surveys, observation, and peer reviews from other researchers. Through these methods, exploring for the underlying cause of health behavior is possible and…

Words 1260 - Pages 6

Mental Illness 2 Jan Essay

with mental disorders. The essay will also explore psychological and socio-economic factors as determinants of mental health. Evidence based research has increasingly demonstrated that mental health issues and illnesses have a cumulatively significant impact upon population morbidity, mortality and health inequalities (Webber 2008). “Mental health is a state of successful mental functioning resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships and the ability to adapt to change and cope with…

Words 2888 - Pages 12

History Of Sociology

Sociology 2001 History of Sociology (Chapter 1) Hunter/Gatherers > Villages > City > Industrial Revolution > Globalization Agricultural Revolution in combination with specialization lead to the beginning of progress Augustine Conte Observe, research, hypothesis, experiment, analyze, conclusion Different degrees of levels in experimentation whether small or large Herbert Spencer First person to use the term “Sociology” Karl Marx ( Industrial revolution) Responsible for the “Conflict Theory” Lived…

Words 4121 - Pages 17

Family Exam Notes Essay

Sociology & Family Theorizing and Researching 1. Structural Theories a) Materialism & Conflict theory Marx & Engles -changes in family lives reflect material change (ex, the mode of production, industrialization) macro-micro focus -power differences characterize society at all levels (ex, capitalism creates: exploitation of men in the workforce; oppression of women b) Political Economy -assumes the power of the one class over another (social control), capitalist relations of production -a more concentrated…

Words 8630 - Pages 35