Questions

Answers should be at least 200-300 words and reflect critical thought. Also respond to classmates responses. Whenever possible, please try to relate the course content to real-world applications from your work experience. Be sure to cite all sources as well.

1. What are some cognitive, physical, or socioemotional changes you might see in older populations?

Respond to classmate:

2. I would say depending on the age range of the older population, there could be onset of Alzheimer's or forgetfulness; I have also noticed that there are a lot of older individuals who seem to be very set in their ways and not always open to new things, ideas, etc. They may have that mindset of how things were when they were younger.

Physically they start to slow down. They may not be as active, tire easily, metabolism changes. Their relationships with friends may be less. They may have a smaller, particular circle or at least one close friend outside of family.

This is mostly if there is a lack of social connections. A majority of those who are in a profession that is social typically belong to or attend events and gatherings for others in that same profession such as doctors, counselors, etc. There are also more stressors on retirement and increasing health issues.

3. How can counselors prepare individuals for retirement? What aspects of retirement are necessary to include in planning, e.g., income/expenses, cost of living, transition from work involvement to retirement?

Respond to classmate:

4. Retirement in the air force can be completely different from retirement in civilian life. So I would like to tackle that concept. My dad "retired" from the Air Force as a Major after serving 22 years. When he retired he did not give up work, he still works but works his own kind of schedule. Once her retired he told me that it was like getting out of jail.

You have to relearn how to be a civilian. Living on base (much like in jail) housing is paid for, utilities are paid for, medical care is relatively in expensive. You are taken care of to the point that when you leave you have to relearn how to be a civilian. All of a sudden he has pay a mortgage and utilities and medical care. I think counselors from many different areas are should be a form of out processing for many service members, from general life counseling to financial counseling, these issues should all be introduced.

5. Introducing another factor to consider as part of this discussion of preparing for retirement, what new challenges do those approaching retirement have to consider in light of the political climate directly affecting seniors?

For example, there is a great deal of focus on reducing social security and Medicare benefits "to balance the budget." Programs that benefit seniors are being cut or eliminated, e.g., Meals on Wheels.

Notwithstanding your own political position -- a consideration that should NOT be a factor within therapeutic relationships -- what additional challenges will clinicians potentially face in working with people approaching retirement?

6. What factors contribute to people's discomfort about facing death, talking about death, and talking to children about death? Describe the challenges that families encounter with a family member approaching the end of life.

Respond to classmate:

7. I think the hardest aspect in discussing death, especially with family members, is coming to grips - first - with one's own mortality. While I am closer to 60 than my 30's, I still feel like I did in my 30's. How I feel, however, does not change the chronological facts! I think people struggle with the idea that they are not going to live forever in bodies that will wear out.

Many people have a fear of death because they do not know what comes next; is there an after life? Is this all there is? Do we make a few spins on this big blue marble and then we're done and gone? Others, however, have a faith system which they stand by and anticipate after their lives on earth are through. How comfortable a person feels about their own mortality will ultimately determine the manner in which they discuss death with their family members - even children.

End of life challenges can be many. Depending on the health of a person and how much time he or she may have to prepare for their end of life is a major consideration especially if the topic had never previously been given much thought. Some things to consider would include a living will - how much effort is to be given to keep a person alive and where does that line get drawn? Organ donations should be a consideration.

An executor of a will should be chosen as well as a will written. Another challenge is how to pay for medical expenses should a person be faced with a long term illness. Finally, another perhaps more difficult, challenge may be for people to make peace with estranged family members.

With each person living, there are any number of variables to consider when approaching one's end of life. The decisions which need to be made should be given with the attention, consideration, and respect one would give the person's whose journey is ending.

Respond to classmate

8. Message expanded. Message read Counseling for Continued Career Development After Retirement: An Application of the Theory of Work A
After reading this article Counseling for Continued Career Development After Retirement: An Application of the Theory of Work Adjustment and studying late adulthood stage in class.

I believe that retirees that want to work after post retirement should talk to an career counselor to pick the right job or career is best for them. Most post retirees are in their early 60s and may have healthy issues that prohibit them from doing strenuous jobs but still have the desire to work. As an example my father was layed off from the Auto zone company after working there for 13 years because the company started out sourcing to Mexico. Even though my dad received an service package with money it still left him without a job for an year or two. He thought Auto zone was going to be his job until he retire because he was paid well and had excellent benefits.

So he started to working at Fed Ex for two years but end up getting fired for no reason at all. I think his manager did not care for him because he was older and spoke his mind. Then he started working at a warehouse for a year but had to take some leave because he was hurt on the job. Once he became well, he returned back to work the company but the company filed bankrupt and he end up loosing his job. It took him a while to find another job because of his age, and the feeling of the unknown.

He started to going to the career center in our community for guidance to find another job. But in our community there is a lot of people without jobs and only a few career counselors. This makes it hard to monitor their caseloads and some people I feel get overlooked. I still believe the right career counselor is very resourceful and can guide a person to the right job. As of now he start to work at Lowe's, as an family we thought this will be good for him because he loves to go there during his spare time. I tend to ask him do he likes his job, he reply that he like it but they expect a lot from the workers. I just hope he can endure a little longer.