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There is very little information regarding aging perceptions of the elderly, but clearly there's a negative consensus about growing old. Aging adults are perceived as having deteriorating health issues, loss of cognitive abilities, as well as other physical aliments. They're also seen as burdens, and needy people. While some of the negative perceptions of aging may have some validity, "Scientific evidence on successful aging revels that such beliefs maybe inaccurate." (Rowe and Kahn;1998.) Never the less negative perceptions of the elderly in society have adverse effects on there mental, and physical health; ultimately effecting their self-esteem, and self-concept. the stress hormone Cortisol when imbalanced has been linked to mental instabilities in the elderly. This can bring upon depression, memory loss, and confusion, leading to the perception that aging is the cause of some mental health problems. The elderly when confronted with such issues will either look to the positive perceptions of aging in society like the wisdom of their life experiences, or dwell on the negative, and develop their own self perception of aging. The elderly's own psychological perception of aging affects each individual differently according to their life experiences, and social expectations. Comprehensive studies have been conducted regarding this subject. It been said that A large part of the aging process is effected by self perceptions; a negative feeling about oneself can exasperate non-desirable health consequences, and the exact opposite when dealing with positive perceptions. (Levy, Slade, and Kasi; 2002.) (Levy, Slade, Kasi, and Kunkel; 2002.) Indicates the basis of self perception of aging are contributing factors of healthy, and unhealthy life styles. As people enter into their later stages of life, those with children, and are in need of support, look towards their adult children to provide for there needs. The elderly's expectations of support from their children vary according the gender of the parent, and the child. Aging adult females prefer to live with their children more so than their male counter parts, and the perception of the elder adults is that their adult female child would be a more likely suitable care giver, than a male child. The aging adult also perceives the determined level of treatment received from their child to be in accord with their moral compass. An adult child's perception of the elderly parent is different. They see a reversal role. They begin to feel obligated, and expected to take on full responsibility for the parent as if it where their own child. These new responsibilities sometime manifest negative perceptions of the elderly by the care giver. They may view their parents as burdens, financial issues may arise as well as medical obligations. There are societal perceptions regarding the elderly as well. In a study conducted by medical students in the health care field, the elderly where considered challenging, and difficult when providing for their physical need, and deteriorating health as well as psychological needs like, loss of cognitive abilities, Alzheimer disease. There are problems with communicating with the elderly, feelings that aging adults don't have the skill set to articulate their needs. A lot of these negative perceptions can be overcome with programs educating health care providers, and family members in societal institutions like nursing homes, as well as clinic, and hospitals; about caring for aging adults. How to interact with the elderly and familiarize them with the scope of their needs. Helping to ease some of the negative perceptions and promote more positive outlooks for the aging societies, so they can have a better quality of life experiences as they age.

REFERENCES

Aging Parents and Adult Children: Research Themes in Intergenarational Relations, Jay A. Mancini, and Rosemary Bliesener. Journal of Marriage and Family. Vol. 51, No 2(May, 1989), PP. 275-290

Children Perception of the Elderly, Tom Hickey, Louise Hickey, and Richard A. kalish. The Jounal of Genetic Psychology. Volume 112, No. 2(Sep. 2012), Pages 227-235.

Depressive Symptoms, Cortisol, and Cognition During Human Aging; the role of Negative aging Perceptions. Sindi S., Juster, R.P., Wan N., Nair, N.P.V., Ying Kin, N. Stress: The International Journal on the Biology of Stress (Mar. 2012), vol. 15 Issue 2, p. 130-137