Maslow's Hierarchy Applied to Late Adulthood Case Study

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Overview

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs describes the general characteristics of human needs and arranges them in a hierarchical form (Vander Zanden, Crandell, & Crandell, 2007). The hierarchy consists of five levels: physiological, safety, belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization. In order to move up the hierarchy, one must first satisfy the need at the current level. Basic needs include water and food, as well as the approval of others.

The physiological need is survival — specifically for food and water. Once the survival need is met, a person becomes motivated to satisfy safety needs. The safety need is fulfilled when people feel secure and stable in their environment. This leads to the next level: belongingness and love. At this stage, people must feel loved and accepted by others. They want to be welcomed by their peers, which can be accomplished by reaching out to others with similar goals and interests, while avoiding situations in which they might feel alienated.

To satisfy esteem needs, people seek out situations in which they can demonstrate their competence and display their achievements. The final level, self-actualization, is the process of developing one's full potential and becoming fully aware of who one is as a person. Maslow's hierarchy provides an understanding of why people act in certain ways and how needs change over time (Vander Zanden, Crandell, & Crandell, 2007).

Mr. [Student] is a seventy-year-old white male who weighs 220 pounds and stands 5'9" in height. His posture suggests that he is in full control of his life and is a confident man. He does use assistive devices, including hearing aids and reading glasses.

Physical Profile and Living Situation

Mr. [Student] has been married for 45 years to a supportive Italian woman. Along with his wife, he has two grown daughters and six grandchildren whom he adores and loves being a part of their lives.

He resides in a 3,500-square-foot two-story home on the outskirts of Columbia, South Carolina, in a small country setting. The property sits on 43 acres and is shared with his wife and three dogs.

Mr. [Student] runs his own company designing parts and products for large manufacturers that produce machinery for food chains and the auto industry. He has been the sole owner of this company for over forty years. His career provides him with a comfortable quality of life, supplemented by his wife's income and his Social Security benefits.

Health History and Current Health Status

Mr. [Student] has premium health insurance provided through his wife's employer. The coverage is comprehensive, with virtually all medical costs covered.

Mr. [Student] has been a relatively healthy man for the majority of his life. However, he does have a mild case of depression and an early stage of emphysema. He was a smoker for over forty years but has not smoked in the past ten years. He was diagnosed with emphysema five years ago and currently has it under control without the use of medication or supplemental oxygen. He does not take medication for his depression, preferring instead to maintain a positive outlook on life as he ages.

Mr. [Student] firmly believes that if one is not sick, there is no need to see a doctor, and therefore he rarely visits a physician — only once a year for check-ups and hearing aid maintenance. He does have a routine eye exam once a year. He is not fond of the dentist and has not visited one in over twenty years, claiming his teeth are healthy and that fluoride in the water makes dental visits unnecessary.

Mr. [Student]'s overall health has been declining with age compared to his mid-adulthood years. His work hours have been cut in half due to his health, his age, and a desire to enjoy life. He is less active in the community than he once was, preferring to work around his home and spend time with his wife.