Organizational Change and Theory Paper Essay Example for Free

Organizational Change and Theory Paper Essay Organizational Change and Theory Paper Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The aspect of managing organizational change is very crucial to any given organization. Organizational change is the execution of new technologies and procedures with an aim of realigning the organization to the changing demands of the firm or benefit from on the business opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how implementation of new technology of computerized charting was effectively managed in the hospital.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nurses have to deal with the new change of computerized charting though it is hardly a new technology. However, several PC-challenged healthcare experts have taken keen interest to become conversant with this new method to patient information management. Taking interest to increase personal skills and marketability as well as being proactive is likely to influence the nursing career in a positive manner. Recent research findings indicate that more institutions are investing in capturing data by electronic means. The keys to computerized charting in modern market, there are various software vendors and alternatives to choose from. In the office I use epic computer software. The use of electronic means is overwhelming at first, but an individual becomes used to with time. It is much better compared to paper charting (Richards Keogh, 2008).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Many health professionals leaned how to work with epic software in their first day of orientation. There is a lot of improvement since most nurses are able to enter their orders themselves. The epic software will enable all the nurses in the institution to use the system from the basic triage to discharge from inpatient. However, there are some resentment about the system since some nurses find it inefficient claiming that the system crashes down frequently for several hours. Others find it very difficult to use especially to the nurses working on the rapid response departments and it’s a challenge to work on a patients without their medical histories, allergies, procedures and meds. The hospital copes with this problem by having backup system. There are also computer hubs where all nurses can print up their chart, though it is also a sticky situation to be used by the entire hospital (Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarti cle/810573).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The epic program is very effective when it is working since nurses can enter their progress notes and orders. The other problem that the hospital has to deal with is that there is high probability of nurses clicking the wrong orders. The other problem is that sometimes the system is too slow. The nurses are asked to been with the system and have specific way of entering individual orders for easy identification since one click on the system shows very many orders. However, nurses are given opportunity to access any patient’s order from anywhere at any given time since they can use epic system at the same time (Retrieved from http://allnurses.com/nursing-informatics/epic-computer-program-280071.html).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The hospital’s IT department has provided enough memory and large servers which is a very significant move. This enables the nurses to make their own orders effectively without the system breakdown or becoming too slow. The epic system might be complicated at first since some nurses find it difficult to locate their flow sheets. The nurses who became used to the system are able to program their favorite flow sheets which make it effortless for the nurse to remember to fill them later. The institution has managed this change also by adjusting the system according to their needs. In the epic software many flow sheets are linked such that if nurse document important orders in one place, they will appear in every relevant flow sheet where those orders are required (Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/810573). Ð ¼Numerous cases reveal that it is not always easy to manage effective organizational change, thus organizations should find out the possible causes of the failure. There are a lot of changes occurring across the globe. The changes range from increase in competition, changes in customer preferences as well as changes in technology. Organizations are required to create new advantages, serve customers better and cope with stiff competition. To stay competitive, organizations are required to abandon the work and processes that are not fruitful or those that do not add value to the company. As the nurse head I encourage and offer assistance to the nurses who are not used to the epic software (Richards Keogh, 2008).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The epic software has various definite advantages. The system can be made effective by frequent training of the nurses on how to program their flow sheets, the IT department should also ensure that there is enough memory and large server; the institution should also adjust the epic software according to the needs of our patients. I would also propose that the flow sheets should be organized in an appropriate manner; the colors might be used to organize the flow sheets in a superior manner. These options will make the epic system to be user friendly (Richards Keogh, 2008).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In conclusion, change management is very crucial in every institution. The nurses will benefit from various advantages linked to epic software since they will be able to enter their own orders. Computerized charting is better as compared to paper charting. Institutions are called upon to give training and orientation to the nurses so that they can become conversant with this new change. Enough memory and large servers enable the system to be fast and avoid system breakdown. References Charting made incredibly easy! (4th ed.). (2010). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams Wilkins. EPIC Computer Program. (n.d.). Answers Articles and Jobs for Nurses and Nursing Students RSS. Retrieved June 18, 2014, from http://allnurses.com/nursing-informatics/epic-computer-program-280071.html Medscape Log In. (n.d.). Medscape Log In. Retrieved June 18, 2014, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/810573 Richards, J., Keogh, J. E. (2008). Medical charting demystified. New York: McGraw-Hill. Source document

Information Gathering for Geography Data Collection

Information Gathering for Geography Data Collection Introduction: During the last decade, there has been an increase of the integration of visual methodologies, with geographical research. This aspect has managed to gain an increased attention from geographic researchers. Currently, it is easy for Geographers to access the tools of visual reproduction and production. The society is heavily influenced by visual representations and images. It is easier to pass on information through visual and imagery representation, as opposed to the use of words and symbols. However, the interpretations of these visual images normally lack a critical awareness or analysis. This is because they are always interpreted on a face value. Cloke (2004) explains that visual communication normally occurs through the help of visual aids. It is described as a conveyance of information and ideas in forms that it is easy to read, understand, and look upon. Thrift and Kitchin (2009) further explains that visual communication greatly relies on vision. Furthermore, it is always expressed or presented with two dimensional images. This includes typography, signs, graphic design, drawings, animation, illustration, advertising, industrial design, etc. Visual communication, explores the concept that visual messages that are accompanied by words have great capability of educating, informing, or persuading the audience of the message under consideration (Rubenstein, 2009). Geographers mainly use visual methodology as part of qualitative method of gathering data. This paper gives a discussion on the different ways whereby geographers have managed to incorporate the various visual methods in their research. This is by using a range of examples. Some of the major visual techniques analyzed in this paper include auto-photography, and participatory video making. Auto-Photography and Geographic Research: Auto photography is an example of an ethnographic research methodology. It provides a tool used in qualitative research methods that help in understanding the qualities of an environment, and geographic locations. This tool is on most occasions used by human geographers for purposes of collecting information. This is mainly because of advances in photographic technology, it is easy to access it, and it is also affordable. Stockinger (2013) explains that auto-photography is directly related to film development, and it relies on the camera technology. In geography, the use of auto-photography is directly related to the invention of disposable cameras (Phoenix, 2010). This was a one-time user camera which could not operate without a film. These types of cameras were very popular in the 1990s, and this is because it was a new technology, and it was easy to use the cameras for purposes of taking images (Kitchin, 2009). For new researchers, and those without a substantial amount of research funds, this method of data collection was very expensive (Teese, 2008). However, with the emergence of digital cameras, it is now cheaper to use auto-photography for purposes of collecting geographic data. Furthermore, it is easy to take a large volume of photos, through the use of digital cameras (Rubenstein, 2009). Furthermore, because of a drop in the cost of equipments, geographic researchers have gained the capability of developing their own videos that consists of data collected. Under human geography, researchers have used auto-photography to study the geographic location and elements of children all over the world (Gomez and Jones, 2010). This technology is easy to use, when studying children. This is because it is easy to categorize these children into subject groups. These children might find it intimidating or difficult to understand the verbal language of research, hence the use of auto-photography. Stockinger (2013) explains that auto-photography is not restricted to the study of only children. It can be used to study and collect data on time-space geographies, human identity, and the interactions between human beings, and the environment. The early pioneers on the use of auto-photography in geography are Joan Wingate and Stuart Aitken (Stockinger, 2013). This is through their study on how the environment affects children, and how to use auto-photography to help adult researchers to understand the different views of children, regarding their environments. This work was able to incorporate the methodological approach in the children’s geographies which emphasized on the everyday and local lives of children. It further analyzed the impact of social differences like ethnicity, race and income, on the environmental mobility and experience of children (Reason, 2008). In concluding their research, the two authors denoted that children who suffered from cerebral palsy, and whose movements were restricted, engaged in taking photographs, as compared to their counter parts, who were normal (Rubenstein, 2009). Furthermore, watching other children playing was a way in which a disabled child was able to participate in the playing activity. Auto-Photography is not only used in the geographic study of children. It is also possible to use it in studying time and space. This is better depicted in a study by Johnson, May and Cloke (2008) on the geography of homelessness. Under this research, the researcher were analyzing the various strategies in which homeless people use for purposes of protecting themselves, and maintaining their areas of residence, i.e. space. This is because the homeless are always vulnerable to intimidations and exploitation, and when they are found in wrong places, people would chase them. Johnson, May and Cloke (2008) believes that aut o-photography is an important source of getting information. It is far much more useful that traditional sources of information such as books, and newspapers. It complements these sources of information. Furthermore, auto-photography has been used in accelerating the spatial development of Urbanization on Guangzhou (Phoenix, 2010). This is a province located in China. For example, in the year 2000, Guangzhou began a series of spatial expansion. This was after its merger with the districts of Huadu and Panyu. To effectively develop the province, there was a need of proper urban planning and development (Kochak, 2006). The use of auto-photography was essentially in this aspect. Urban planners of Guangzhou took a series of photographs, of various locations of the province. This was for purposes of studying them, and hence coming up with a better policy, on how to plan the province. Policy formulators were able to use these photos for purposes of planning to build an extensive road network that connected the province of Guangzhou and Foshan (Chiang, 2005). This is clearly depicted on the North Western border of the provinces of Guangzhou and Foshan. The construction land between the borders of these two provinces is directly connected with one another, and road network has approximately sixty intersections (Loo, 20 09). This is for future expansion. Participatory Video Making and Geographic Research: Participatory video is a process in which the participants work together for purposes of creating a video in regard to their common experiences. It is also a way of making an inquiry of the various challenges that affect the lives of the participants (Kitchin, 2009). This concept is widely used in the collection of data when studying human geography. Due to the immense benefits that participatory video making has, geographers have emphasized on its use in the collection of data. Under participatory video making, the participants and the researcher are joint owners of the data that emanates from the research (Rubenstein, 2009). This research emphasizes that social action is an important part of a research. Furthermore, social action is exploratory, relational, and unpredictable. Participatory video making is therefore seen as an opportunity for empowering geographers with social skills that can help them to efficiently interact with the participants of the research (Chiang, 2005). Don Snowden was the first person to engage in participatory video making (Kitchin, 2009). He pioneered the use of media for purposes of enabling the community to develop various solutions to their problems. In his research, Snowden was able to work Colin Low a film maker (Kitchin, 2009). He carried out a study of Fogo Island, which was a small fishing community in Canada. His main aim was to identify the various challenges and opportunities that are experienced by the residents of this community. In this research, Snowden managed to develop a film on different villages in the Island (Hueber and Alderman, 2011). These films illustrated various challenges that they were facing, and the ways of overcoming these challenges. By watching the videos of each village, the different villagers in the island were able to realize that they were facing similar problems (Bergman, 2010). On this basis, they had to come together for purposes of ensuring that they develop a solution to the problems that were facing them (Hueber and Alderman, 2011). Politicians were also able to view these videos. On most occasions, politicians were very busy, and unable to visit the Island, and learn on the different problems that the Islanders were facing. Furthermore, the Island was far away from the main land of Canada. As a result of the production of this video, the government was able to change its policies regarding the Fogo Island (Hueber and Alderman, 2011). This is by improving the welfare of the people of Fogo Island through education, and building of infrastructures that could enable them carry out their fishing practices in an efficient manner. Furthermore, people within the Island began collaborating with each other for purposes of finding a solution to the problems that affected them. This technique was so successful that other geographers began using participatory video making in collecting data. Hester Parr examines the use of participatory video making in a mental health institution. Parr (2007) believes that it is possible to use participative video making for purposes of helping to change the manner in which the society views people with mental problems or disability. Furthermore, she explains that video making is useful in helping to hold important data about the effects that arts has on the mental health of another person. Parr (2007) argues that participative video making is a collaborative process that requires the cooperation of all the parties involved in it. This would therefore make it possible for the participants to provide an in-depth data regarding the problems of the research. On this basis, Parr (2007) explains that participative video making is an important aspect that can help in solving the problems of a society. For instance, Parr (2007) explains that the use of a video referred to as Recovering Lives was successful in positively depicting the mentally ill people in Dundee. The filmmakers were able to collaborate with the mentally ill individuals in coming up with this video. They had an opportunity of telling their experiences and challenges that they face while living with this disability (Hay, 2010). On this basis, the filmmakers succeeded in explaining the different problems that mentally ill people face. Conclusion: Currently, most geographers are involved in gathering information through the use of visual methods of data collection. The most prominent of these methods are auto-photography, and the use of participative video making. Auto- Photography has been made possible because of the emergence of digital cameras. This makes it easier for geographers to take as many photos as possible. It is also a cheap method of collecting data, because digital carry are easy to afford. On the other hand, participative video making involves collection of data through film. Under this method, the geographer would collaborate with the population, while gathering data concerning a particular area of their research. These methods are used by geographers to solve a particular social problem. They are widely used in the area of human geography. Bibliography: Bergman, B. J. (2010). Making the Most of Your Video Collection: Trends in Patron Access and  Resource Sharing. Library Trends, 58(3), 335-348. Chiang, T. (2005). Historical geography in China. Progress in Human Geography, 29(2), 148-164. Cloke, P. J. (2004). Practising human geography. London: SAGE. Gomez, B., Jones, J. P. (2010). Research methods in geography: a critical introduction.  Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell. Hay, I. (2010). Qualitative research methods in human geography (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford  University Press. Hueber, A. M., Alderman, D. H. (2011). Analyzing resident place satisfaction in a tourist  destination through auto-photography the case of Southern Shores, North Carolina.  Greenville, N.C.: East Carolina University. Johnsen, S., May, J., Cloke, P. (2008). Imag(in)ing ‘homeless places’: using auto-photography  to (re)examine the geographies of homelessness. Area, 40, 194-207. Kitchin, R. (2009). International encyclopedia of human geography. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Kochak, A. K. (2006). Development Indices: A Comparative Study of India and China. China  Report, 42(1), 57-68. Loo, B. P. (2009). An overview of transport geography in China. Journal of Transport  Geography, 17(5), 419-420. Parr, H. (2007). Collaborative film-making as process, method and text in mental health  research. Cultural Geography, 14, 114-138. Phoenix, C. (2010). Auto-photography In Aging Studies: Exploring Issues Of Identity  Construction In Mature Bodybuilders. Journal of Aging Studies, 24(3), 167-180. Reason, P. (2008). The SAGE handbook of action research: participative inquiry and practice  (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, Calif.: SAGE. Rubenstein, J. M. (2005). The cultural landscape: an introduction to human geography (8th ed.).  Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Stockinger, P. (2013). Digital Audiovisual Archives. London: Wiley. Teese, B. (2008). Making Use of Video Interlacing. The Physics Teacher, 46(L1), L1. Thrift, N. J., Kitchin, R. (2009). International encyclopedia of human geography. Amterdam:  Elsevier.

Using Science to Understand God :: Science and religion

In this day, there continues to be a great deal of hostility promoted from the pulpits, the media, and visible scientists around the world in the area of science and religion. Some preachers suggest to their congregations that science is evil and opposed to morality and belief in God. Some visible scientists suggest that religion is an out-of-date mythological belief system that opposes progress and enslaves people to a lifestyle that brings them harm. The media seems to take delight in vilifying religion and promoting the inconsistencies of those who claim to be religious. Why do so many otherwise good believers in God and otherwise good believers in science get caught up in the science versus religion debate? Science is science, and religion is religion. Creationism is neither. Using bad science to back up bad literal Biblical translations is not scientific and not religious. How religious or scientific are you really when you have to use crap science (lies) to back up your religion? How religious or scientific are you really when you have to deny the facts of good science to support your religion. I don't see how changing the way you think about the Bible when science gives you a good reason to do so makes you any less or any worse of a Christian. In fact, I think it makes you a better Christian. Some scientists will tell you that discovering things about the Earth does not mean that God didn't create it. And some scientist will tell you that discovering things about the nature of the Earth does not prove that God doesn’t exist. A lot of religious scholars can tell you the same thing. Both will tell you that if God loves us as much as the Bible says so, then He doesn't want us to forever remain ignorant. If you find things in the Bible and read them literally to justify your refusal to use the reasoning abilities that God has so graciously provided for you (the same reasoning used in science), then you are the one going against God, not the scientists. Science is a gift from God to help us understand the world around us. Those who seek to unlock the secrets of the natural world around us through science are being led by God. Exploring our natural world to gain a greater understanding of it and to find better uses for the things around us is what God wants us to do.

Frankenstein Essay -- English Literature

Frankenstein In the novel ‘Frankenstein’ Mary Shelley Portrays a Monster. The view of the monster is hideous. In the beginning he was childlike, kind and helpful but with the time he gains knowledge he becomes miserable. Mary Shelley writes about the monster to express her views about knowledge and the changes it can bring. In the 19th century with the industrial revolution there were negative effects. At the time there was a lot of development in Science and technology causing people unsettled. The people died because diseases spread. When people felt unsettled they wanted to know why are these changes happening so, they turned towards religion or the supernatural. That’s why stories about supernatural became popular. ‘Frankenstein’ is one of the typical examples of that time which portrays the effects of these changes. As we read more we get to know that Victor Frankenstein described the monster when he first came alive. The monster was ‘hideous’ with his ‘yellow eyes’, ‘pearly white teeth’ and ‘scarcely skin’. Here Shelley wants us, as readers, to be repulsed by what we see. She wants us to know that knowledge is dangerous: the monster is a symbol of Victor’s knowledge to the monster by running away. This Quote â€Å"I rushed of the room, and continued a long time transversing my bedchamber†, shows that Victor is distressed by his creation. As we readed more we observed that the monster is described as Childlike, for example, when he came across the fire and was excited by it’s ‘warmth’. Here Shelley is telling us that the monster has started to feel his senses. He is naà ¯ve and we feel sorry for him. Mary Shelley then introduces the monster as a narrator because she wanted us to know the truth, in ... ... the girl’s friend injured him because he thought that the monster is hearting her. The monster remained in Switzerland with his pain and agony for a couple of days. Then he reached Geneva after all. We feel that the knowledge has turned the monster into an Evil. Mary Shelley wants us to know that knowledge can be dangerous and can lead to the lowest dejection; if somebody knows a lot about everything he can become unsatisfied. In my conclusion I would say that the monster changes as he gains knowledge. In the beginning he was kind and helpful, but became dangerous and horrible as he gained knowledge. Mary Shelley describes about the monster to create an image of those circumstance in our head. She also tells us that knowledge can be dangerous. We feel that the monster was innocent and Victor Frankenstein is responsible for everything that has happened.

Mohandas Ghandi Essay -- Biography Biographies

Mohandas Ghandi Satyagraha. Meaning "force or firmness of truth, Mohandas Gandhi worked and lived by this word. By peaceful, non-violent demonstrations he little by little took hold of the people of India's love and honor and freed them from British rule. This is his story: On October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India, a region of Queen Victoria, Mohandas Gandhi was born to Kaba Gandhi and his wife. Although his father, Kaba, was the chief Minister for the Maharaja of Porbandar, he and his family lived in a small house and belonged to a Hindu caste of merchants called "banjas." As he grew, Mohandas became a small, shy and skinny boy, afraid of others' opinions. He never spoke out, but although he was never a clever child, others were surprised by his gentleness. At the age of thirteen, he was married to Kastaurbai, a pretty yet strongwilled girl of the same caste. He would now live with his wife, instead of his mother and father whom he had cared for for so long. Before this, Mohandas had told lies, had smoked, and had eaten meat, which was strictly forbidden of Hindus. Now, suddenly, he felt guilty and that he had hurt himself and in some ways those who he cared for. So, in desperation, he told his father, and they cried together. One year later Kaba Gandhi died. Mohandas was sixteen. At eighteen he traveled to England to study law and secretly to see for himself what made the English so powerful. He enrolled in a college of law but quit after one term. He felt that he didn't fit in, so he studied the " Standard Elocutionist" for use and knowledge of proper ettiquitte. After a while he quit this also because he saw no use anymore. Quitting became a popular theme in his early life. Sometimes he quit because he was bored with something and just grew out of it, or sometimes when he just couldn't accomplish anything. For example, he took English dancing and violin lessons to become more distinguished, but he was very clumsy and quit after six lessons. He did not quit every thing though. He worked at some things if he thought that it would in some way help him. He studied material on Common & Roman laws and had to pass major exams on it. Despite all of the quiting and studying, he became a lawyer. He was not a very distinguished or even good one at first, but later became respected by his friends and clients after his work on a case in South A... ...he was killed though, all of that changed. Everyone was sad, and the Hindu people were ashamed that it was one of them who had killed him. People began to worship Gandhi in the ways that he had hated. They knew that if he would have been able to speak a few words before he died he would have said to the people to "have mercy on the misguided Godse", but knowing this, they still hanged his assassin. Gandhi once said: "I have no strength, save what God gives me. I have no authority over my country men, save the purely moral." And he more than anyone knew how weak that authority could be. Over time, Mohandas freed India from the British rule, earning rights and respect for his people and a lasting place in history. In my opinion, like everyone else's. he was a great man putting others ahead of himself, but above all else wanting, hoping, and dying for peace. BIBLIOGRAPHY Franda, Marcus and Vonetta J. " Gandhi, Mahatama." The New Electronic Encyclopedia. 1991, Grolier Electronic Publishing. Iyer, Raghavan. " Gandhi, Mohandas." The World Book Encyclopedia. 1989 ed. Reynolds, Reginald. The True Story of Gandhi, Man of Peace. Chicago: Children's press, 1964.

How the poet expresses His views concerning time in the p�em “Rising Five Essay

The poem â€Å"Rising Five† deals largely with the theme of time and our rather disturbing attitude towards it. We are constantly looking ahead, into the future, seeking the next stage of our lives and failing to enjoy each moment as it comes. The poet seeks to express the importance of living in the present through his use of imagery and structure, which emphasise the dangers of always looking ahead through the seasons of our lives and almost wishing away our time here on Earth. The structure of the poem moves us from the innocent, seemingly trivial outlook of a child to the wider issue of wishing our lives away. The repetition of the word â€Å"rising† to connote almost or nearly there begins to suggest a positive outlook as the small boy is â€Å"rising five† or almost five and this is shown as a childish impatience to grow up and be older than he really is. On the other hand, this phrase is repeated, each time growing further ahead and rushing through time as in â€Å"rising June†, â€Å"rising night† and then finally â€Å"rising dead†. This last line is deliberately shocking and underlines the poet’s concerns that we rush through our lives at too fast a pace and almost run towards death before we have had a chance to live. The language moves from a description of the young boy â€Å"brimful of eyes† with â€Å"toffee-buckled cheeks† at the beginning of his journey through life. His large eyes suggest a wide-eyed innocence and a fresh outlook on life, while the â€Å"toffee-buckled cheeks† is an image which reappears later in the poem with a more serious and threatening tone as the poet describes our attitude to youth â€Å"like a boy throwing away his toffee wrappers†. This simile emphasises the casual way humans desire to be grown up and moving onto the next stage of their lives, throwing away time as if it is rubbish or litter to be wasted. Furthermore, the writer chooses natural imagery to describe the passage of time. The use of rhymes such as â€Å"bubbled and doubled† along side the personification and alliteration of â€Å"buds unbuttoned; shoot and stem shook out the creases†¦Ã¢â‚¬  suggests a sense of joy and excitement as nature literally dresses up in her Spring finery. The irony being that we do not stop to enjoy each season, rather we look forward to the next month, the next stage of the year. The last section of the poem reflects a more sombre tone and the vocabulary becomes increasingly serious and more complex. The imagery of the â€Å"dust dissected tangential light† reflects the poet’s ultimate message of â€Å"new buds pushing the old leaves from the bough†, a metaphor which expresses the human desire for change and perhaps a lack of respect for age and wisdom. Finally the natural imagery is used to express how our hasty attitudes lead us to find only â€Å"the rot in the fruit† where the fruit represents our lives in their negative aspects as they run out and we run out of time. Overall, the poem is concerned with human responses to time and delivers a powerful message that we need to stop rushing ahead, seeking the next experience and the next thrill and start to appreciate the here and now, before it is too late.

Abandoned Senior Citizens

Are Americans prepared for the increasing numbers of elderly population? In the next century the oldest of old will be the fastest growing population in the nation. According to The AGS Foundation for Health and Aging (2005), the size and character of the elderly in the United States is rapidly changing. Since the 1900 most of the US population was under the age of 65, but this drastically changed over the course of the century. In fact, the senior citizen population grew from 3. 1 million to 33. 2 million from 1900 to 1994. Furthermore, by the year 2030, â€Å"one out of every five Americans will be a senior citizen. † Our society must prepare to handle the increasing number of elderly that are abandoned by family or have no family to care for them. As a result, the elderly are those who stand to suffer the most due to the lack of proper care. Longer life spans and infertility is creating a serious unbalance in ages. Moreover, with the continual growing numbers of the age group 65 and above, Americans may not be ready to handle the burden that will come with supporting the elderly. Senior Citizen Population is on Brink of Explosion in World and in United States. This shift in the age structure of the world’s population poses challenges to society, families, businesses, health care providers and policymakers to meet the needs of aging individuals† according to the Census Bureau, (2009, Para. 6). To further illustrate the major impact Americans will experience due to the over growing e lderly population, the Division of the U. S. Census Bureau published middle- series projections that gives a good demonstration of growth percentages from 1990 to 2050 by race. Figure 1. 0. Statistics of The Elderly Population Projections of the United States, by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin The worst is yet to come for the elderly frail as an unbalanced society cannot or will not provide a helping hand. â€Å"In fact, while children are projected to still outnumber the older population worldwide in 2050, the under 15 population in the United States is expected to fall below the older population by that date, increasing from 62 million today to 85 million. † Census Bureau, (2009, par a. ). These shocking numbers should be a wakeup call to our society to prepare for the impact on the financial strain the elderly will poses to their families. Consequently, children or families of the elderly will carry the burdens of making difficult decisions to help or to turn the other cheek and walk away. Moreover it will be the elderly who will suffer the most from being abandoned and forgotten in the care of hospitals, nursing homes, halfway homes, or hosp ices for someone else to worry about. The sad and unfortunate reality of what lurks beneath the decisions to leave frail and aging parents with others is the desire to be free or rid of the responsibility of caring for one’s elderly parents themselves. In time, the once young and viral independent adult who were able to contribute to society, have withering bodies that become sick, disabled, or suffer from decease and are considered too old and too much trouble to deal with. When the elderly are left alone; they experience health risks, mental instability, social isolation, loneliness, and depression (Saul, 1983). Truly one cannot image something worse than watching an elderly person’s mind slowly deteriorate due to lack of stimulation, emotional support, or love a lonely elderly craves. Typically, dementia or loss of memory sets in to the point that an elderly person cannot remember what happened from one day to the next. Eventually, the despondent elderly becomes sicker, or worse disabled from a fall or a non- curable decease like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, which leads to helplessness, disorientation, bitterness, and anger because they cannot remember or help themselves. In truth, it can be a rude awakening witnessing one’s parent turn into a different person in what seems like overnight. The wonderful vivacious spirit that one loved about a parent or family member has become this empty shell of a person. Indeed the experience spoken of comes from one who has become the parent of a parent diagnosed with Parkinson’s two years ago, and who knows that any illness or disability can be could be seriously reduced with the proper medical attention, nutrients, and most of all the nurturing love an elderly person earns for. Mind blowing, yet all too true are the statistics piling up in hospitals that have no family to pick them up; or left alone in nursing homes hoping for family to come for them, or worse left alone in their homes with no one to turn to (Pek Yee, 2009). Specifically one such story happened to a friend’s brother in law who lost his mother to a horrible and tragic death when his father died three years ago. Shortly after his father’s death his mother became distraught and depressed and started visiting him and his family frequently because he lived the closest to her apart from his sisters, so he wanted to help his mother through the pain of her loss. During her visits it seemed his mother was pulling through her depression, but she often had heavy bouts of deep sadness accompanied by anger and hostility. In truth the son and his family experienced mental abused by the mothers enraged hostility; however, his family managed to suppress the desire to lash back at her because they knew she did not live with them permanently. Eventually, the mother became more despondent and asked her son if she could live with him, so she did not have to live by herself anymore. Although; she did have two other daughters, they both lived in another city and never made an effort to see her or have her come visit them. In spite of the mother’s sadness, the son denied his mother from living with him mainly because he believed her negativity would be too hard to live with. Since, she was in good health her son did not see a reason for her to move in with him because this would add more responsibility for him and definitely create tension for his family. As a result of the denial, the mother felt rejected, sorrowful, and heartbroken and became detached from everyone and began wondering off from time to time without letting anyone know where she would go. Finally; one day his mother called and said she was going away for a while but again without word of where she planned on going. Sadly and one week later was found face down in a creek dead about 10 miles from her home with only her purse in hand. The authorities who found her said she had been dead for four days and ruled her death a suicide. In short, they said she probably wondered off in distress and decided to take her life rather than be alone and without someone to care for her. Unfortunately, the son will have to live with knowing he rejected her and the possibility that he caused her to take her life, which can be terrible weight to carry for the rest of one’s life! It stands to reason that children will experience the pain and guilt of knowing either they help their aging parents or resort to disassociation. In fact, the brutal reality is that children are becoming the parents as their aging parents are vastly becoming the children to support. Indeed the experience of having time and money stripped away from the children who care for their aging parents, along with baring the extra responsibilities of caring for them, all take a toll on a family’s emotional and physical health. At first, one wants to believe that once their elderly parent is placed safely in a nursing home the responsibility of caring for their parent is lifted form them and shifted over to the care workers, but in reality this is not true at all. To begin with, the parents finances need to be take care of; regular visits to the doctor, supplies like clothes and hygiene products, and most importantly regular checks with the nursing home to make sure the parent or family member is not mistreated. Of course, nursing homes will feed them three meals a day, bath them, administer their medicine routinely, and take care of the everyday task of making sure they do not hurt themselves. However, if a medical emergency should arise and a family member is not there to help, the nursing home just ships the elderly family member off to the emergency room, for someone more equipped can help them, which can be a horrifying experience if the elderly person is left to go through the experience alone. Typically if an elderly person does not have a family member to pick him or her up at the hospital after they are discharged, the hospital’s social worker will be assigned to place them in State facility or arrange to dropped him or her off at his or her home, even if the elderly person is not equipped to take care of him or herself. It is no wonder that elderly living alone have higher risks of increasing functional disability and much broader clinical detections of social loneliness and depression (Shu-Chuan, 2004). Thus, both the elderly and their families suffer in some form or another. Once upon a time aging gracefully was respected and adorned, but today aging has become a frightening look at the future and a sad end to one’s youth. Why is becoming old such a scary place to go for so many, perhaps because the awareness people have that they too could end up sick, alone, and abandoned. A prime example of why people are so afraid would be how our nation’s nursing homes have become a dumping ground for the elderly. One only needs to venture into a States nursing facility to witness what elderly are experiencing. Underneath all the hype that the elderly are well taken care and respected, lays the ugly truth of decreased standards of living conditions. To begin with, elderly are left in their soiled underwear for hours at a time, or sometimes left lying in their beds all day long without food or drink. If an elderly person is sick and incapable of doing for him or herself, or a family member does not take the time or appropriate measures to stand up for the parent or family member staying in nursing home, terrible things can happen. Moreover, health care providers are increasingly becoming more abusive, neglectful and defiant, which is aiding in destroying the health and the very fabric of our elderly generation. Regretfully the aging frail have no other choice but to submit their selves to whatever care they can receive leaving them helplessly in the hands of retirement or nursing workers who do not care about them. As time progresses more senior citizens are feeling the aches and pains of growing older and abandonment, but this does not seem to matter because he or she continues to wait patiently and hope someone will come visit or care for them [pic] Figure 2. 0. An Alone and Hopeful Elderly Women Patiently Waits for Someone to Visit Her. Someone needs to care for and help the elderly, despite the implied burdens. In the forefront of people’s mind that have had to give up or change their lives to accommodate the aging parent or family member, there lies a desire to help in some way. However, if the surface were pulled back underneath would lay admissions of oppressions of too much to bear. Thus, the uglier side of the naked truth is revealed, which is less and less the children of the elderly refuse to take on the responsibility that comes with caring for the elderly. Out of sight, out of mind is all too often the guiltless fall back for families unwilling to help. Surely, someone needs to care for and help the elderly, despite the implied burdens. Helping the elderly might be burdensome, but life is life regardless of age. Of course, helping the elderly is a heavy burden to some but life is life, regardless of age. With this in mind, it stands to reason that our nation needs to wise up and instill the proper support structure to our badly needed aging society to create balance. So that families need not look at growing old as a scary road to venture down; or aging as a strain or burden, but rather as a gift to be grateful for.