1.1 Describe types of change that may occur in the course of an individual’s life

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Describe types of change that may occur in the course of an individual’s life.

Change happens throughout a person’s life. Each type of change can affect someone in different ways. Recognising these changes helps when supporting individuals in health and social care. In this guide, we will look at the main types you might see as people move through different stages of life.

Physical Changes

Physical changes affect how someone’s body grows, develops, or ages. These changes can be part of normal development, but they can also be caused by illness, injury, or lifestyle choices.

Common examples of physical change include:

• Growth from being a child to an adult
• Puberty, where the body develops sexual characteristics
• Menopause, marking the end of fertility for women
• The effects of aging, such as wrinkles, greying hair, or reduced strength
• Illness or conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease
• Mobility changes, for example needing a wheelchair after an accident
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Treatments such as chemotherapy, which may alter appearance

Physical changes can affect self-esteem, independence, and daily activities. Some might result in the need for support, aids, or medical treatment.

Emotional Changes

Emotional changes involve how someone feels or manages their feelings. These often occur after big life events, but can also be linked to hormonal changes or mental health.

Examples of emotional change include:

• Feeling joy at the birth of a child
• Experiencing sadness or anger after losing a loved one
• Building confidence after achieving a personal goal
• Struggles with anxiety or depression after a significant diagnosis
• Changes in mood linked to puberty or menopause

Someone might have different needs depending on how they feel. For example, they may need extra support if they are going through a sad or stressful period. Emotional responses are unique to each person.

Social Changes

Social changes affect someone’s relationships, circles of friends, and role in the community or family.

Examples include:

• Starting school or university and meeting new people
• Getting a job and joining a team
• Moving house and settling into a new area
• Making or losing friends
• Getting married or starting a family
• Children leaving home (sometimes called ‘empty nest syndrome’)
• Separation or divorce
• Retirement, when someone finishes working
• Becoming a carer for a family member

Social change can make people feel excited or nervous. It might mean forming new bonds or losing old ones. It can also lead to feeling lonely or isolated, especially if someone lacks support.

Cognitive Changes

Cognitive changes relate to thinking, learning, remembering, and processing information.

Common situations where cognitive changes happen:

• Starting primary school, where new learning takes place
• Learning a new language or skill
• Trauma to the brain, which may affect memory or judgement
• Illnesses such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, which can slowly reduce memory
• Age-related changes, which might make learning slower for some

Anyone may experience forgetfulness or slower thought processes as they get older. Support is often needed for those dealing with conditions that affect memory or concentration.

Environmental Changes

Environmental change is about the surroundings in which someone lives or spends time. This can have positive or negative impacts.

Examples include:

• Moving from one home to another
• Switching from living at home to residential care
• Temporary relocation, such as being in hospital
• Changes caused by outside events, like floods or fire
• Noise, pollution, or changes in the local neighbourhood

Environmental change may lead to stress. New environments may mean new routines and rules, which take time to get used to. Support with settling in or making adaptations can make a difference.

Financial Changes

Money worries are a reality for many people and can significantly impact wellbeing.

Common examples:

• Gaining a job or starting to earn money
• Losing a job, being made redundant, or retirement
• Introduction to state benefits or changes in entitlement
• Increases in outgoings (having a child, increased bills)
• Sudden expenses, such as repairs or medical costs
• Poverty or financial hardship
• Inheriting money or managing a significant sum

Financial change may create stress, cause people to seek help, or change daily routines. Someone may need support with budgeting or claiming benefits.

Cultural and Religious Changes

Cultural changes happen when someone’s beliefs, values, or customs shift. This can be from moving countries, joining a new community, or changing personal beliefs.

Examples include:

• Moving to a country with different customs or languages
• Changing or adopting a new religion
• Joining a faith-based community
• Celebrating new festivals or holidays
• Adapting food, dress, or social habits

These experiences can be positive, but sometimes people feel out of place or face discrimination. Support workers need to understand and respect individual choices.

Developmental Changes

Developmental change refers to stage-related growth, often seen in children but continuing through life.

Some key developmental stages:

• Learning to walk or talk as a child
• Starting school and developing social skills
• Puberty and the move into adulthood
• Developing independence, such as moving out for the first time
• Midlife changes, like career development or forming a family
• Older age, which may mean accepting new routines to maintain wellbeing

Developmental changes shape personality and behaviour. They influence self-identity and relationships.

Relationship Changes

Changes in close relationships can have major impacts on wellbeing.

These may include:

• Birth or adoption of children
• Marriage or civil partnership
• Friendships changing or ending
• Separation, divorce, or breakups
• Bereavement (loss of a loved one)
• Meeting new partners or making new friends
• Reconciliation with long-lost family members

Relationship changes may bring happiness, sorrow or stress. Support with communication, mediation, or emotional expression can be valuable.

Health Changes

Health changes can happen suddenly or over time. These may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting).

Some examples:

• New diagnoses, such as cancer, diabetes or asthma
• Long-term conditions worsening
• Changes in ability, such as losing sight or hearing
• Recovery after surgery or treatment
• Catching short-term illnesses such as a cold or flu
• Developing mental health conditions (anxiety, depression)

Health changes influence daily life, affecting physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Some people need information, support, or equipment to manage these changes.

Employment and Education Changes

Work and education often shape identity and daily routine. Changes in this area might include:

• Starting or finishing school, college, or university
• Getting a first job or promotion
• Redundancy or retirement
• Changing careers
• Going back into education as an adult
• Facing discrimination or difficulties in the workplace

Employment and education changes may result in new skills, personal growth, or stress. Some may face barriers to work or training, based on health or social circumstances.

Technological Changes

Changes with technology are more common today. These may affect how individuals communicate, get information, or manage health.

Examples:

• Learning to use smartphones or computers
• Accessing telehealth or online appointments
• Keeping up with digital services (banking, shopping)
• Adapting to social media as a new form of communication

Some people struggle to adapt to new technology due to cost, skills, or accessibility. Others gain independence through assistive technology, like voice-assisted devices.

Legal Changes

Legal situations can affect people in ways they might not expect.

Some examples:

• Turning 18 and reaching the legal age of adulthood
• Immigration status changes
• Being discharged from hospital and needing to meet care standards
• Changes with guardianship, power of attorney, or legal capacity
• Court orders or criminal record

Legal changes often require advice, advocacy, or support to understand new responsibilities and rights.

Unplanned or Traumatic Changes

Unplanned change happens without warning. Traumatic events can have strong emotional and physical effects.

Examples of unplanned or traumatic change:

• Sudden illness or accident
• Death of a loved one
• Job loss
• House fire or burglary
• Being a victim of a crime
• Natural disasters

Such events can leave people vulnerable, in shock, or grieving. Immediate support and long-term care may be needed.

Positive and Negative Changes

Not all changes are negative or difficult. Some bring happiness, pride, and hope.

Positive change examples:

• School achievements
• Birth of a child
• Falling in love
• Promotions or pay rises
• Improvements in health

Negative change examples:

• Redundancy
• Divorce
• Poor health diagnosis
• Loss or bereavement

Each person responds differently. Some find positive change stressful, or negative change motivating. Support must be personal, accepting, and non-judgemental.

Impact of Multiple Changes

Sometimes, changes happen together or one after another. Managing several changes at once is challenging. For example, someone might move house, start a new job, and lose a relative in a short period.

Impacts include:

• Fatigue or tiredness
• Trouble making decisions
• Anxiety or worry
• Lack of motivation
• Difficulty settling into new routines

Workers support people by listening, giving practical help, or signposting to other services.

Life Transitions

A transition means moving from one stage or type of life to another. It often involves several types of change at the same time.

Common transitions:

• Starting school
• Transition to adulthood (turning 18)
• Becoming a parent
• Retirement
• End of life

Transitions usually involve planning, support, and time to adjust. Some people cope well on their own, but others need more help.

Supporting Individuals through Change

People react to change in unique ways. Some feel excited and welcome new things, while others feel fear or loss.

To support someone through change, you can:

• Listen without judgement
• Offer emotional support and encouragement
• Help them to find solutions to practical problems
• Share information in plain language
• Provide routine and structure
• Include them in decisions about their care
• Help to access peer support or specialist organisations

Understanding the types of change that may occur helps you to recognise what each individual is experiencing. Responding with empathy and practical support can make a real difference to someone’s wellbeing.

Final Thoughts

People face many types of change at different stages of life. Change may be physical, emotional, social, cognitive, environmental, financial, cultural, developmental, in relationship, health, education or legal status. It can be planned or unplanned, positive or negative. Everyone experiences change differently. Good support focuses on the person, listens to their needs, adapts care, and helps them to manage the impact change has on their life. Your role is to notice, understand, and respond to change with support and respect.