Gerontology is a relatively unexplored field compared to the whole of human civilization. Because we are in the early demographic stages of old age, it is said that we are still in a phase of societal and cultural exploration of old age. Therefore, what we are witnessing today, as old age, has not yet settled into a stable culture or environment. Instead, in the years and decades to come, the facts and processes related to old age will likely experience rapid changes in their cultural and behavioral representation. Although some individuals reached old age before the 20th century, almost 50% of the population today reaches the age of 75. Like the rest of the developing world, Australia is experiencing a rapid increase in the proportion and absolute number of older people. Using the traditional retirement age of 65 as the reference point marking the start of "old age", approximately 12.1% of the Australian population, or 1.85 million people, fall into this category, the group the fastest growing population aged 80 and over. (Baltes & Graf, 1996; Browning, Gething, Helmes, Luszcz, Turner, Ward & Wells, 2000) Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay Aging is not simply a biological phenomenon experienced identically by everyone, nor are it necessarily stages or states of being distinct ones that simply “arrive”. The aging process must be represented as a social, physical, psychological and spiritual process in which individuals have created or imposed themselves. Older people experience and make sense of their aging within the constraints of specific material conditions (e.g., issues such as housing, income, and access to relevant services) and social conditions (e.g., issues such as ageism and age discrimination; gender, race and empowerment); cultural and linguistic diversity). The experiences of past and future cohorts will likely be very different from those of current cohorts. Care must therefore be taken when communicating current data to future populations. Older people have many experiences in common with other age groups and share many of their interests. For example, people may experience homelessness, poverty, or homeownership in various cohorts. Current studies on aging show that aged care and rehabilitation policies and practices reflect a pessimistic and negative view of old age – a form of ageism characterizing older people as useless and dependent. , allowing the younger generation to see older people as different from themselves, and thus subtly stop identifying with their elders as human beings. Ageism, like all prejudices, influences the self-perception and behavior of its victims. Older people tend to adopt a negative definition of themselves and perpetuate stereotypes directed against them, thereby reinforcing society's beliefs. Social expectations regarding old age and older people tend to be negative, and older people are particularly vulnerable to the expectations expressed by others during interactions. Research on conversations directed at older people indicates that caregivers tend to modify their speech more in terms of stereotypical communication needs than in terms of real, individual needs ofspecific elderly people. In turn, the tendency to over-accommodate one's speech is exaggerated when individuals show signs of disability or dependence. Although older adults who are institutionalized or suffering from cognitive confusion are the most likely recipients of condescending or infantilizing speech, healthy older adults in the community also complain about this type of behavior. (Ryan, 1991) Pratt and Norris (1994) state that evidence regarding understanding of speech sounds in adulthood generally suggests that healthy older adults perform as well as younger groups on such tasks in optimal conditions. However, an important issue in older populations concerns the role of sensory functions. Impairments, particularly hearing and visual impairments, increase sharply in late adulthood. There are also a number of physiological changes in the vocal tract that accompany aging, as well as changes in the rhythm and clarity of speech, which may form the basis of this identification. Thus, the production of speech sounds in older people is somewhat unique, especially among those in poor physiological condition. However, there is little evidence that this seriously impairs the comprehension of older adult speakers. On the other hand, there is ample evidence that younger listeners judge speakers with “older” vocal characteristics as less competent, likely due to stereotypical expectations about aging. (Pratt & Norris, 1994, Ryan, 1991) Social service professionals and older people's organizations play a key role in developing strategies that reflect and advocate positive approaches to aging, taking care to avoid dangers advocacy that reinforces negative stereotypes, such as being elderly. sick and fragile” and young people being “normal” as if they were universal. Previous studies have the negative effect of comparing older people as normal or disabled. Fontaine and Solomon (1995) believe that as people live longer and more fully, negative views of aging and old age are replaced by evaluations of the aging process and older people emphasize alternatives and choices. The concept of aging well does not ignore the fact that many older people face disability, illness, poverty and isolation: a person can age well despite adverse circumstances. Understanding how people acquire the services they need, maintain social support, and create a subjectively positive reality in the face of adversity can lead to public policies, programs, services, and a social environment in which more people can age well. (Fontaine and Solomon, 1995; Browning et al, 2000) Ryff and Essex (1991) argue that there is an implicit negativism in many previous approaches to psychological well-being in later life and that this research has been conducted with measures of “disease” rather than measures of well-being. Current research equates “well-being” more with the absence of “disease” (subjective versus objective research). As reinforcement, the Australian Psychological Society (APS) provides a positive article (Browning et al, 2000) as a contribution to the International Year of Older People, reflecting on how to promote successful aging among older people. The APS document develops the impact and policy responses to population aging,independence and self-sufficiency, aging and healthy attitudes, lifestyle and community support. (Browning et al, 2000; Ryff & Essex, 1991) Theoretical perspectives on the positive psychological functioning of older adults include Maslow's (1968, cited in Ryff & Essex, 1991) view that self-actualization is the final phase development; he describes this phase as strong feelings of empathy and affection for all human beings and capable of greater love, deeper friendship and fuller identification with others. Theories of adult development such as that of Erikson (1959, cited in Ryff & Essex, 1991) also emphasize achieving intimacy with others and receiving advice and guidance from others. The importance of positive relationships with others is repeatedly emphasized in these conceptions of psychological well-being. Lifespan theories also explicitly emphasize continued growth and confronting new challenges or tasks at different periods of life. Thus, continuous growth and self-realization is also an important theme in the aforementioned theories. The integration of these theories highlights convergent aspects of positive psychological functioning. (Ryff & Essex, 1991) The current approach to aging advocated by the Australian Government and presented as a major theme of the International Year of Older People (IYOP) is that of 'successful aging'. Aging well involves maintaining mental, physical and social health. It is closely linked to quality of life. Butler (1991, cited in Browning, 2000) defines it in terms of four forms of fitness: physical, intellectual, social and purposeful. Fitness refers to body strength, resilience and abilities. Intellectual fitness refers to keeping the mind engaged and active. Social skill involves forming and maintaining meaningful personal relationships. Fitness refers to having positive feelings of self-worth and control over one's life. Battersby (1998, cited in Browning, 2000) also agrees with Butler's definition to express the importance of having a positive outlook on aging and aging. Previous cohorts were largely willing to accept unequal relationships between “expert” professionals and “passive” clients or patients. But many older people are now less willing to be passive recipients of care and firmly believe that service providers have a responsibility to listen to them. They believe they are entitled to opportunities for choice and control over their lives, and in theory this belief is supported by government policy emphasizing consumer rights. (Browning et al, 2000) Failure to listen to consumers has been shown to have a negative impact on their well-being. For example, research carried out by Gething, Fethney and Blazely (1998, cited in Browning, 2000) at a major Sydney aged rehabilitation hospital found that older people and health professionals were unaware of the client objectives. Older adults reported that they did not feel consulted about their needs and that the treatment they received did not meet those needs or prepare them for a successful return to community life. It is important to recognize the impact on well-being and freedom of choice of government policies and professional practices whose methods appear to be in the interest of the older person, but which, if implemented without consideration, 2000)