GER503: Improve your Competency in Understanding the Relationships Between the body, the mind and the Spirit in Older Adults, and Enhance your Ability to Construct Critical Connections: Lifespan Development and Psychology of Ageing Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Question 1

The aims of this question are to improve your competency in understanding the relationships between the body, the mind and the spirit in older adults, and enhance your ability to construct critical connections between physiological and psychological changes in the ageing process.

Please follow the following guidelines and address the following:

a. Start by scanning the literature pertaining to the relationships between the mind, the body and the spirit. Develop a list of at least 10 references that relate to the above focus area. You may begin by searching in ‘OneSearch’ for keywords or phrases such as ‘elderly’, ‘older adults’, ‘ageing’, ‘spirituality’, ‘mind-body spirit’ etc. and refining your search by year.

Please do not use literature earlier than the year 2001. However, if some significant studies were published earlier than 2001, it is acceptable to use and cite them.

b. From your 10 references, summarise the key findings related to this focus area. discuss the relevance of the key findings related to this focus area in Singapore’s socio-cultural context.

c. From the findings, construct critical connections between physiological and psychological changes in the ageing process.

Question 2

Interview three older adults aged 60 or older, preferably English speaking, and request their help with this study, as part of your assignment. Each interview should last for at least 60 minutes.

a. Assess their psychological states using the Geriatric Depression Scale (uploaded on Canvas). Attach the results in the appendix.

b. Based on the information gathered from your interviews, the literature reviewed in Question 1, assigned readings and materials presented in class, analyse the psychological issues and challenges that accompany late life stages and the possible impact on them.

Geriatric Depression Scale (short form)

Instructions: Circle the answer that best describes how you felt over the past week.

1. Are you basically satisfied with your life?
2. Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?
3. Do you feel that your life is empty?
4. Do you often get bored?
5. Are you in good spirits most of the time?
6. Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?
7. Do you feel happy most of the time?
8. Do you often feel helpless?
9. Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing things?
10. Do you feel that you have more problems with memory than most?
11. Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?
12. Do you feel worthless the way you are now?
13. Do you feel full of energy?
14. Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?
15. Do you think that most people are better off than you are?