Psychology

Introduction
Human development, in the context of positive aging, does not only occur during adulthood but rather, it is an on-going process of human experience which can be described in theoretical terms as an expression of human potentials. Recent studies indicate that such human experiences as well as potentials are useful in predicting arrays of elements of an individuals life such as health, life satisfaction and the degree of the old adults contributions to the society. The concept of adult development outlines that the individuals experiences are shaped by a host of conditional factors such health as well as heath care. This paper seeks to demonstrate adult education in the lens of stages of life and offer a concise description of how the concept of adult development can be applied to counseling and other psychological practices that focus on health care with regard to older people

Stages of Life and Adult Development
Psychologists have argued that adult development is the potential category of human experience that makes sense of the entire history of human endeavor. As such, it makes it possible for people to reach a newer understanding of human maturity. Stages of life are therefore a concise plan into the entire story of adult development and attempt to offers a definitive description of the potential in all human developmental structures (Hollis, 1993). . Accordingly, the concept of adult development holds that as an individual grows, learns and develops throughout his life, he transcends into adulthood which is perhaps a time with vast potential for people to chart out newer directions, lifestyles and choices.

According to Vaillant (2002), stages of life mark the sequence of adult development which moves from adulthood to old age. In the most fundamental sense, the question of development in adulthood is construed to be about getting older. With regard to issues of health care in old age, traditional psychotherapists look at how adults emotional lives as well as mindsets are a reflection of the childhood unconscious reenactment of conflicts and traumas. Various theoretical perspectives in adult development emphasis on the most fundamental element of mid life crisis in the development of an individual.  As a result, stages of life can be equated to structures within a corn, which entirely suggests all its potential stages of growth and development from seedling to sapling to a mighty tree (Hills, 2008).

Adult development has two broad landmarks which essential give a cognizance of the adult part of human life being divided into three areas of early, middle and late adulthood. Each of these areas as argued by Hollis (1993), summarizes the middle passage appraisal and are in themselves divided further into initial stages as well as culminating stages. In essence, these stages of life are structures intrinsic to the human being and they principally determine the phases of human growth.

The first three stages of life are in the primary sense associated with the gross dimension of existence. Research points out that they are the only stages in the schema with a more predictable framework. Although this phase takes on a foundational human maturity, Hill (2008) explains that they are more formative and include respectively physical development, development of sexual-emotional appraisal and the mental functions as well as the functions of the will. Successful completion of this phase of stages holds that psychological individuation full development of the will and a strong moral character oriented naturally towards the disposition of service is realized. Arguably, our seventy five year old man completed these first three stages to be a true adult and thus is an emotionally mature human being.

In a recent survey, it was argued that social factors, psychological traits and biological processes are identified as precursors for a healthy aging. The hallmark of adult development is old age and it is marked by dynamic character off ageing processes. It is imperative to outline that stages of life are defined within the parameters of three fundamental dimensions of life exemplified in gross, subtle and casual aspects as conditional human possibilities. For instance, the dimension of gross is applicable to the elemental physical body while the subtle aspect is composite of both personal and spiritual life which pervades the physical as well as the dimensions of the mind and the psyche (Vaillant, 2002). The final dimension casual aspect, becomes the deepest root structure of the conditioned human being and of attention to it self. This postulates the core sense of existence as a separate self Hill (2008) asserts that for a confrontation with personal mortality, developmental stages become the central issue in mid life development.

In the broadest sense, adult development and its philosophy inform us greatly on the whole concept of attitude towards life, emotional stability, learning as well as the health of an old adult. In a more developmental outlook, the stages of life are evidenced with middle passages which begins when one is obliged to ask a new, the question of meaning that somehow circumnutated their childs imagination but were effaced over the years. Hollis (1993) identifies that the middle passage begins when one is required to face issues that had been patched over, triggering the question of identity to come into play. For instance, if we hold a belief that people mature by passively absorbing knowledge and reacting to environment, our entire mindset about life is uniquely developed which influences adult development.

Adult development is associated closely to the idea of a social clock which sets when it is age-appropriate for certain life events to take place. In addition, it  is evident that cognitive, affective, evaluative as well as behavioral approaches within the outlook of socio-cultural development characterizes adult development and thus, the final stage of life in view of Vaillant (2002) is associated with the process identification with spiritual ascent. This is the stage of life with the ultimate process within the boundaries of the subtle dimensions of the being. This stage of life is characterized by profound spiritual as well as psychic experiences, ecstatic vision and mysticism. Marked by the transcendental consciousness, this stage is evidenced through the subjective dissociation from changes and phenomenon in the conditionally arising events in the world. As such, his loss of wife leaves him to associate his life with the casual dimensions of existence.

Vaillant (2002) outlines that the acquisition of moral principles and ideas, the development and character of ego, the changing nature of human relationships across life spans as  well as the clinical intervention in adult development, form the fundamental basis through which an individual ageing process is facilitated. The act of consciousness is central in the stages of life because, without it we may be run over by the complexies. The hero in each one of us is required to answer the call of individuation and hence the old man should turn away from the cacophony of the otherworld and be able to listen to his inner voice. Changing occur within the social constructions of entry into adulthood, and also in the social conception of the early adulthood and old age.

Current trends in the appraisal of adult development follows the suit of the growing number of older adults especially those aged eighty and above which has resulted in the redefining later adulthood. With many researchers approving the stability of personality at old age, older adults are viewed in the lens of public policy as the most vulnerable group that requires protection of their best interests. A society in which the developmental needs of adults are better understood or rather met, generatively attempt to fill their roles in the health care institution. Evidently, adult education compliments the psychotherapy field by providing the rationale for mid life transition as well as a measurement of the success achieved in integrating polarity as an element of affectionate curiosity about the old age.
Hill (2008) asserts that the concept of positive ageing describes the adverse effects of age on the lifetime of units. New theoretical frameworks for understanding the concept of ageing, especially as related to counseling application to health care of old adults, originate from the study which showed that positive ageing is associated with the need to find satisfaction in life regardless of the existent personal circumstances. Ideally most ageing adults tend to adopt affirmative lifestyle choices, coupled with positive spirituality for him to be able to age well.

This innovative approach to ageing as argued by Hill (2008) is designed in the promotion of well beings in the later life and provides seven strategies of aging spelt in the ability to learn, discover wisdom, strengthen relationships among others, as ideal blends to the general life paths in to keys of staying upbeat during challenging times. For example, the old man who is susceptible to health issues, efforts to get a better health program, thus demonstrating the assurance of sources of happiness that are inherent in the process of growing old. In other words, positive ageing, which is a factor in the stages of life, should not be confused to be how well individuals manage to dodge their infirmities but rather lies in the ability to focus on what makes life more worthwhile in old age in spite of the mental, emotional and physical challenges that may arise.

Psychological Practices on Health Care with Older Adults
Research points out that societal attitude can widely affect how old adults are perceived in the society thereby undermining the counseling practices that focus on health care with the adults (Vaillant, 2002). In addition, how the adults with health problems or in pursuit of health care considerably view themselves depending on the theoretical frame works with the fundamentals of adult development. For example, Hill (2008) surveyed inactive nurses in rural areas where the adults and the aging are located and found out that some of those nurses are themselves aged and thus undermine the health care system as well as the counseling activities such as psychotherapy. It is a matter of fact that these work without giving any other qualifiers.

Counseling psychology and other psychological practices are built around the foundations of researched adult development. According to Hollis (1993), efforts to facilitate the personal and the interpersonal function with regard to adults and their health care approaches are complimented by theories of adult development. This chiefly focuses on the emotional, social and health related developmental concerns. Counselors who largely use psychotherapy work on the guiding principle of all the models constructed by clinical psychologists with a succinct concern on adult development. Accordingly, their interventions towards treating their aged patients are bettered and made more effective.

Comparatively, it is noted that the traditional counseling focused a great deal on the normal developmental issues as well as stress rather than the psychopathology which addresses more extensively the issues of old age in the light of the dynamism in the society and human experiences. Vaillant (2002) further points out that the present psychotherapist apply methodologies of counseling concisely factoring n the question of supportive intervention and approaches for adults.

It is equally relevant to discuss that the body of research into the phenomenon of adult development has paved way for the psychological practices to operate on the paradigm of institutionalization and the field of ethical mandate to promote human health care. Hill (1993) underscores that the boundaries of these application have been broadened to accommodate the uniqueness of experiences that are characterized with theories of adult development. As such, these practices are based on a more foundational and transformative approach that is applied to a wide array of health care focusing on older adults.

Physical activities are among the examples of opportunities psychotherapist offer the older adults in a bid towards extending their active years as well as functional limitations. Hill (2008) identifies the many psychological practices for promoting physical activities in older adult. Focusing on older adults with chronic health issues, the approaches adopted include, a multidimensional activity program that includes endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training, which is optimal for health and functional benefits, management of risk by beginning at low intensity but gradually increasing to moderate physical activity which has a better risk.

Moreover, the principles of behavior change including social support, self-efficacy, active choices, health contracts, assurances of safety, and positive reinforcement, enhance adherence and emergency procedure plan that is prudent for community-based programs and monitoring aerobic intensity most important for progression and for motivation. As a result, regular participation in physical activity is one of the most effective ways recommended for older adults within the precincts of counseling practice and health care and it extends to adults with disabilities. Perhaps, it aim at helping to  prevent chronic disease, promote independence, and increase quality of life in old age.

Conclusion
Adult development includes issues through which the adult grows in to an old person through the gradual accumulation of knowledge from a vast experience. It is evident that interactions between personal characteristics, individuals behavior, and social contexts such as environment impact heavily on the concept of adult development. It is important to note that the development of adult is marked with the inclination towards satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment but the many recent human life portend certain influx of dissatisfaction in life. Through the theoretical perspectives into the stages of life and the research done on adult development, the sense of failure that is characterized by stress, physical ailments, health issues and depression is able to be coherently addressed through the counseling practices with special focus on the old adults.