Each stage of life of humans has its own special qualities and difficulties. The stages of life and age play a significant role in shaping the way individuals perceive and experience healthcare. This was evidenced by the perspective of an 80-year-old woman who was interviewed in this study and shared their insights on the influence of age in healthcare. Thus, healthcare professionals can develop more efficient and patient-centered care delivery models that improve people’s health and well-being across the lifespan by recognizing and addressing the differences during each stage of life.
From birth to adolescence, childhood is the first stage of life. Children need routine checkups and immunizations during this time to ensure healthy growth and development (Jones et al., 2018). From the patient’s standpoint, this period of life is marked by visits to pediatricians and specialty clinics. Adolescence, which lasts from 13 to 18, is the second stage of life. Adolescents undergo significant physical, emotional, and social changes at this time (Orben et al., 2020). This stage of life can be difficult for patients because they as teenagers, might feel awkward or ashamed to discuss certain issues with medical professionals.
Young adulthood, which lasts from ages 18 to 40, is the third stage of life. People in this stage are typically in good health and frequently seek out medical care for preventive care, such as regular checkups and screenings. From the perspective of the patient, this time in life is marked by a feeling of invincibility, with many young adults believing they are not at risk of experiencing serious health issues (Wood et al., 2018). Having access to preventive care, however, can assist them in maintaining good health and averting potential health issues in the future. Middle adulthood, which lasts from 40 to 65 years old, is the fourth stage of life. From the standpoint of the patient, this period of life is characterized by a greater awareness of their mortality and a requirement to take proactive measures to keep their health.
Older adulthood, which lasts from 65 years of age and beyond, is the fifth and final stage of life. People may need medical care at this stage for age-related health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. This stage of life is distinguished from the patient’s perspective by a greater need for support and assistance (Kydd et al., 2018). They might need assistance with basic daily tasks like bathing and dressing and navigating the healthcare system.
In this sense, it is critical to consider a patient’s perspective when analyzing how age affects health care. I spoke with my grandmother, who is in her 80s, about her interactions with the healthcare system to gain insight into this problem. My grandmother said that her current life stage greatly impacted how she interacted with medical staff. She claimed that she started using medical services more frequently as she got older. However, she also felt that her doctors and nurses treated her differently because of her age. She wished that the medical staff would spend the time to listen to her worries and clearly explain things to her.
My grandmother also mentioned that the people of the hospital where the staff members had the most direct contact with her, such as the nurses and therapists, were the ones most concerned with her health and feelings. She claimed that they were constantly ready to hear her out and offer emotional support. She discovered that the doctors were frequently rushed and had little time to speak with her or attend to her emotional needs.
My grandmother always wanted her family by her side when she was in or out of the hospital. She claimed it made a big difference in her experience to have someone there to support her emotionally and fight for her needs. She was grateful that the hospital let her family spend the majority of her hospital stay with her and.
In conclusion, the stage of life has a significant influence on patients’ experiences with the health care system. Older adults like my grandmother may require more medical services, and their needs may be more complex. It is essential for healthcare professionals to take the time to listen to their concerns and address their emotional needs. Additionally, involving patients’ families in their care can help provide emotional support and improve the overall patient experience. By considering the influence of age on health care from a patient’s perspective, we can create a more patient-centered and compassionate healthcare system.
References
Jones, N. L., Gilman, S. E., Cheng, T. L., Drury, S. S., Hill, C. V., & Geronimus, A. T. (2018). Life course approaches to the causes of health disparities. American Journal of Public Health, 109, 48-55. Web.
Kydd, A., Fleming, A., Gardner, S., & Hafford-Letchfield, T. (2018). Ageism in the third age. In L. Ayalon & C. Tesch-Römer (Eds.), Contemporary perspectives on ageism (pp.115-130). Springer.
Orben, A., Tomova, L., & Blakemore, S. (2020). The effects of social deprivation on adolescent development and mental health. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(8), 634-640. Web.
Wood, D., Crapnell, T., Lau, L., Bennett, A., Lotstein, D., Ferris, M., & Kuo, A. (2018). Emerging adulthood as a critical stage in life course. In N. Halfon, C. B. Forrest, R. M. Lerner, & E. M. Faustman (Eds.), Handbook of life course health development (pp.123-144). Springer.
