Older Adult Life in New Zealand: Assignment

Running Head: Older adult life in New Zealand.
Older adult life in New Zealand
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Older adult life in New Zealand
Introduction
The quality of life of a person is the perception of that individual in regards to the position
they hold in life, this position is viewed on the perspective of value systems and the culture of
their location in relation to their expectations, goals, concerns and standards. The world’s
population is aging with many people being 65 years and above as compared to the whole
population. According to the Help Age Foundation and the United Nation Population Fund, there
is a predicted increase in the expected life expectancy for global life (Lorna et. al, 2014).
The aging process is complex since it involves external physical changes, a decline in
dexterity and mobility, lower sensory acuity and a decrease in stamina or strength. This essay is
aimed at discussing the positive life experiences and factors influencing quality of life for old
adults in New Zealand. This quality of life in older adults is influenced by factors that include
healthy lifestyles, environment, socioeconomic and mental health.
1. Healthy lifestyles.
A healthy lifestyle influences better quality of life for older people, the much physical
decline that is experienced during old age is mainly caused by inactivity rather than the process
of aging. Furthermore, every year 7,800 deaths are reported in New Zealand and they result from
heart disease, diabetes and cancer attributed to lack of physical activity. Engaging in physical
activity can reduce the prevalence of diseases and the risk factors associated with lifestyle
diseases such as high blood pressure and obesity. Physical exercise helps in maintaining and
building healthy bones, joints and muscles thus reducing the risk of falling. Furthermore, it
improves the ability of older people to perform tasks. These activities including swimming,
gardening, use of wheelchairs and walking (Ministry of Health, 2012).
2. Socioeconomic and mental health

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Older adult life in New Zealand
A good social, emotional, and mental health positively affects the lives of older adults. In
contrast to this, poor mental health affects ageing negatively. It is believed that later life
sicknesses is somehow eased with a mindset that positively embraces life since it promotes mind
consciousness which makes people confident their health status. Mott and Riggs & Mott (2004)
concluded that many old adults with several diseases had a perception of positive health mainly
because they believed they were individually in control of their lives (p.125). Another finding
based on a study on lifestyles and health of the old Maori adults had results similar to this (Te
pumanawa , 2007).The involvement of old people in activities that are meaningful ensured
health was generally better ( Seedsman, 2008).
3. Income.
Personal income influences the quality of life of an individual in old adults in a two-way
link. A low income hinders the ability to purchase healthcare, health insurance, purchase of
essential goods and access to appropriate housing that helps in maintaining proper health.
Furthermore, poor health of an older adults limits their opportunities to income earning. Older
people in New Zealand have a low income. The main source of income for the older people is
superannuation (Ministry of Social Development, 2016).
Paid work is also another additional source of income for older people. Women in late
fifties have an upward trend in participating in labour force for the last decade. Those in early
sixties have experienced a significant increase over the last four years. A source of income that is
promising to the older people is selling the larger homes that they own and moving into smaller
homes that they can afford ( Seedsman, 2008).
4. Environment factors