1. Human Growth & Development

2. Growth: generally refers to changes in size

3. Development: occurs through maturation of physical & mental capacities & learning

4. Life Stages

5. Healthcare workers need to be familiar with each developmental stage in order to recognize maladaptive behavior and provide quality healthcare.

6. Infancy Birth to 1 year

7. language of newborn is the cry
usually eats every 2 to 3 hours
uncoordinated movements (learn to roll, sit, crawl and walk)
poor vision (focusing range 8 to 12 inches)
usually doubles weight by 9 months
responds to human voice & touch

8. Early Childhood 1 to 6 years

9. vocabulary and pronunciation continue to expand
great imitators (want to be just like parents)
imagination is vivid; line between what is real & imaginary is often indistinct
develops fears (common fears: fear of dark, fear of animals, & fear of death)
Safety is a common concern at this age (crossing the street, locking up medicine)
Moral values (learn between right and wrong)

10. Late Childhood 6-12 years

11. both large & small muscles well-developed
developed complex motor skills
from independent activities to same sex group activities
acceptance by peers very important
parental approval still important

12. Adolescence 12-20 years traumatic life stage for child & parent
puberty occurs
extremely concerned with appearance
trying to establish self-identity
confrontations with authority

13. Con’t. Adolescence
-Use peer group as a safety net
Mental development primarily involves an increase in knowledge and a sharpening of skills
Learn to make decisions and accept responsibility for their actions

14. Young (Early) Adulthood 20-40 years

15. physical development complete
emotional maturation continues to develop
usually learned to accept responsibility for actions & accept criticism
usually knows how to profit from errors
socially progress from age-related peer groups to people with similar interests

16. Middle Adulthood 40-65 years

17. physical changes begin to occur:
hair begins to thin & gray
wrinkles appear
hearing & vision decrease
muscles lose tone
main concerns: children, health, job security, aging parents, & fear of aging
love & acceptance still take a major role

18. Late Adulthood 65 years & up

19. fastest growing age bracket of society
physical deterioration (brittle bones, poor coordination)
some memory problems
coping with retirement & forms of entertainment
very concerned with health & finances
significant number become depressed; suicide rate is high

20. Death and Dying
Death is often referred to as “the final stage of growth” It is experienced by everyone and cannot be avoided.

21. EMOTIONAL TRANSITIONS AT LIFE’S END
Although there are many theories about the emotional transitions encountered by dying people, the best known is

22. ELISABETH KUBLER-ROSS
Landmark work entitled On Death and Dying
Identified five emotional stages experienced by dying individuals

23. FIVE EMOTIONAL STAGES Denial - or “no not me” Anger - or “why me?”
Bargaining - or “Yes, but. . .”
Depression - or “It’s me!”
Acceptance - or “It’s part of life. I have to get my life in order.”

24. DEATH CAN INVOLVE FEARS THAT ARE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL
PHYSICAL - Helplessness, dependence, loss of physical faculties, mutilation, pain
SOCIAL - Separation from family, leaving behind unfinished business
EMOTIONAL - Being unprepared for death and what happens after death

25. INTERVENTIONS FOR FEARS Hospice Healthcare Worker
Talk as needed
Avoid superficial answers, i.e. “It’s God’s will
Provide religious support as appropriate
Stay with the patient as needed
Work with families to strengthen and support