Geriatrics

Aging

KNR 365

Think – Pair - Share

• What are your beliefs about aging and dementia?• Do your relatives live to be past 85? What do their

senior years look like?• How do you view your own aging? Do you look

forward to aging? What are your fears?• Do you feel comfortable being around older people

with dementia? What experiences have you had?• Do you believe dementia is inevitable and common?

Generations (Cohorts)

• G.I. Generation– 1900-1924– Current ages: 112-88 years– Events: • 1903 Orville Wright• 1912 WWI

Generations

Silent, Veterans• 1925-1945• 87-67 years• WWII / Japan bombs Pearl

Harbor• Korean Conflict• Great depression• Women’s suffrage• Swing, big bands• Epic movies

Baby Boomers• 1946-1965• 48-66 years• Vietnam• President Kennedy assassinated• Women’s movement / civil rights• Rock and roll• Beatles• TV grows in status• Sputnik / space flight• Star Trek• James Bond movies

Baby Boomers• 76 million• 26% of population• Feels 9 years younger than stated age• Doesn’t like term “seniors”• Changing services to mature adults

– Seek active leisure pursuits– Want safe places for biking & walking– Hobbies like travel & cooking– Intellectual stimulation (e.g., genealogy, art, avid readers)– Use social media

• Estimated 17.3 have a disability• Arthritis

• Impact community services & LTC• Broughton & Payne, 2011

Aging

• One of the most important trends of 21st Century is the aging of the population– Not just in the US– Unprecedented in history of human race– Global estimates:• 2000 over age of 65 = 605 million• Projected 2050 = 2 billion• Group 85 and above = highest rate of growth• Why this growth?

• Hawkins, 2009

Aging

• Differences by ethnicity• 78% of older men live with spouse or other

family member– 50% of women over 85 live alone

• Less than 5% age 65 reside in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities– Age 85 = 15.4%

• Hawkins, 2009

Aging

• Median income in 2006 was $27,798– Spend 13% on health (meds, insurance, etc.)– 35% are in low income or poverty group– Women living alone are some of the poorest

• Delaying retirement or seeking employment due to current economy– Income from Social Security, pension funds,

earnings from assets/investments• Hawkins, 2009

Most common issues of aging…(over 65, 1 and maybe 2 or more)

• Heart conditions (hypertension, vascular disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease)

• Dementia (including Alzheimer’s Disease)

• Depression• Incontinence (urine & stool)• Arthritis• Osteoporosis• Diabetes• Stroke

• Breathing problems• Falls which lead to fractures &

joint surgeries• Parkinson’s disease• Cancer• Eye problems (cataracts,

glaucoma, Macular Degeneration)

• Slowed reaction speed• Thinner skin• Weakened immune system• Diminished sense of taste or

smell

Text

Readings• Apraxia

– Pp. 17-20

• Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)– Pp. 45-48

• Dementia– Pp. 53-56

• Diabetes– Pp. 57-63

• Osteoporosis– Pp. 109-112

• Rheumatoid arthritis– Pp. 116-119

• Osteoarthritis– Pp. 105-108

Assigned• Parkinson’s disease

Continuum of Care

• Independent living in the community• Community-based services & service settings

– Adult day care • In-home care services• Continuing care retirement community• Assisted living facility• Long-term care / nursing home /skilled nursing facility

(SNF)• Acute care hospitals & rehabilitation centers

• Hawkins, 2009

• Hospice, palliative care

SIMULATION GAME

Blue Zones

• Research by Dan Buettner on people who live exceptionally long & healthy lives

• Focus on places in the world where this happens

• Major contributors– Living in an environment that encourages a

lifestyle that keeps people physically active with everyday tasks

Blue Zones

• Ate nuts on a regular basis• Have a central purpose or reason to get up

every day and be engaged in life• Who spend time with…surrounding selves

with people who eat well, live active & engaged lives, & hold values & beliefs that are congruous with healthy lifestyles

• Hawkins, 2009

Aging Well

• Walking (being physically active)– 30 minutes several times a week

• Reduce sitting• Decrease stress• Eat healthy diet & drink water• Don’t smoke• Have social/emotional support• Challenge the brain– S/B interesting, challenging, different

Brain Fitness Strategies

• Board games• Crossword puzzles• Ping pong• Word games• Learn a new instrument• Number puzzles/games• Juggling• Reading • Card games• Creative hobbies• Engage in conversation

• Puzzles• Dancing• Video games• Sequencing games• Volunteering• Learn a new language• Take a class• Learn sign language• Journaling• Travel• Sudoku

http://www.lumosity.com/

AGING WELL