GRADE 12 FAMILY STUDIES

Changes through the Aging Process

Observable Physical Changes with Age:

 BEFORE AGE 50 Wrinkles Crows feet Lines that link nose

with mouth

After Age 50

Skin is less elastic (deeper lines)

Skin becomes thinner and more spread out (baggier)

Skin more vulnerable to bruising

Skin changes colorAccumulation of cartilage

will make the nose ½” longer and wider

Ears will grow ¼” longerWomen suffer from dry

skin

After Age 50

Hair Hair thins (decreases

in diameter and rate of growth)

Male pattern baldnessHeight

Males lose ½” before age 50 ¾” after

Women lose 2” between ages 25-75

Declines in Processes with Age:

Vision and Hearing http://www.lighthouse.org/about-low-vision-b

lindness/vision-simulator/ http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/demonstration.h

tm

Taste and Smell

Other Age Related Physical Changes

Depletion of back up reserves (inability to fight off diseases and germs)

Reduction of pain (elderly may not feel bruise, cut or slight heart attack)

Arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries)

ArthritisBronchitis and lung

disease (can lead to emphysema)

DiabetesHeart disease / heart

failureDepressionDrug misuseOsteoporosis

Arthritis

What is arthritis?Arthritis is due to the wearing down of

cartilage, which is the material that cushions the ends of the bones.

What are the warning signs?The warning signs of arthritis include:

pain in or around a joint stiffness or problems moving a joint swelling (sometimes) in a joint

Diabetes

What is type 2 diabetes?Insulin is produced by the body to transform

sugar into energy. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body no longer produces enough insulin, or has difficulty using the insulin it produces, causing sugar to build up in the blood. Over time, this damages your blood vessels and nerves and can result in severe complications including:

Diabetes

blindnessheart diseaseStrokekidney failureerectile dysfunctionnerve damagereduced blood supply to the limbs,possibly leading to amputation

Diabetes

What are the warning signs?Many people have diabetes for years before they’re

diagnosed. This is especially true for older adults, whose symptoms can be slight or not apparent at all. Symptoms include: unusual thirst frequent urination weight change (gain or loss) extreme fatigue or loss of energy blurred vision cuts and bruises that are slow to heal frequent or recurring infections tingling or numbness in hands and feet for men, trouble getting or maintaining an erection

Heart Attack / Heart Disease

As you grow older, your chances of developing heart disease increase. Coronary heart disease accounts for the greatest percentage of cardio-vascular deaths in seniors, half of which are attributable to heart attacks.

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle itself is severely reduced or stopped due to blockage, resulting in damage to that part of the heart. if this happens in the brain it results in a stroke.

Heart Attack / Heart Disease

The main symptoms and warning signs of heart attack are:Chest pain

tightness, discomfort or crushing heaviness, pressure or squeezing fullness or burning

Pain from the centre of the chest spreading down one or both arms up to neck, jaw, shoulder or back

Other signs shortness of breath paleness, sweating or weakness nausea, vomiting and/or indigestion anxiety or fear denial, refusing to admit that anything is wrong

Heart Attack / Heart Disease

Who is at risk?Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be

altered, while others can be modified by lifestyle changes.

Major risk factors you can’t change include age and family history.

Risk factors you can change or control include: smoking, high blood pressure, high “bad” cholesterol (LDL) levels, lack of physical activity, diabetes and obesity.

Osteoporosis

What is osteoporosis?Bone is a living tissue, constantly renewed through a

natural process in which new bone replaces old bone. As we age, the process becomes less efficient and we begin to gradually lose bone. In someone with osteoporosis, bone loss occurs more rapidly, causing the bones to become very thin and weak over time.

When bones become severely weakened by osteoporosis, simple movements – such as bending over to pick up a heavy bag of groceries or sneezing forcefully – can lead to fracture. Wrist, spine and hip fractures are the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis

Women are most at riskPrevention

Include calcium in diet Enough vitamin D Be active

Weight bearing activity makes bones stronger Don’t smoke Try to prevent falls

Most Prevalent ChronicConditions in Later-life

1. Arthritis2. Hypertensive Disease3. Heart Disease4. Hearing Impairments5. Musculoskeletal impairments6. Chronic Sinusitis7. Diabetes8. Visual Impairments

Most Feared Conditions in Later-life

1. Alzheimer’s Disease - Dementia2. Stroke/Cancer3. Physical disability that prevents

independence and autonomy of “normal” life (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease)

4. Heart Disease/Chronic Pulmonary Disorder5. Deafness/Blindness      

Alzheimer’s Disease / Dementia

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, which causes thinking and memory to become seriously impaired. It is the most common form of dementia. (Dementia is a syndrome consisting of a number of symptoms that include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood, behavior and communication abilities).

Alzheimer’s Disease / Dementia

Warning signs Memory loss that affects day-to-day function Difficulty performing familiar tasks Problems with language Disorientation of time and place Poor or decreased judgment Problems with abstract thinking Misplacing things Changes in mood and behavior Changes in personality Loss of initiative

Seniors and Chronic Diseases: Some Facts and Figures

Senior women are more likely than men to have arthritis/rheumatism, cataracts/glaucoma and back problems. Rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, the effects of stroke, and Alzheimer's disease/dementia are higher among senior men (Gilmour and Park, 2006).

Between 10 and 15 percent of seniors in the community suffer from depressive symptoms and/or clinical depression (Conn, 2002).

Late-life dementias, which include Alzheimer's disease, affect 8 percent of seniors over the age of 65 and more than 25 percent of those over the age of 80. Dementia is considered to be one of the greatest public health challenges of the coming generation (Canadian Study of Health and Aging Working Group, 1994).

Aging and Nutrition

Nutritional Needs of the Elderly

As we grow older, nutrition needs change: Total energy needs decrease due to changes in

metabolism and physical activity Need for nutrients does not decrease; it increases

Women tend to be low in calcium, riboflavin, thiamin, iron and Vitamin A.

Men tend to be low in calcium, riboflavin, vitamin A and C.

What problems can poor nutrition cause?

Nutritional Needs of the Elderly

Poor nutrition in older age can result in many adverse effects. Poor nutrition exacerbates declines in immune and

sensory functions (such as macular degeneration), and worsens symptoms related to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer.

Inadequate intake of B vitamins may also have a negative effect on cognitive functioning and even dementia among older adults.

Skipping meals or not eating enough can cause dizziness and weakness, which, in turn, can precipitate falls with sustained injuries that may eventually lead to a loss of independence.

Nutritional Needs of the Elderly

Problems: Limited income

Unable to afford nourishing meals Programs available to aid this

Difficult shopping May receive assistance through churches, grocery stores,

city Meals on Wheels

Loneliness Eating is a social activity therefore making meals difficult Services available community centers etc.

Social Changes

Retirement May be difficult if a person’s sense of worth and self-

esteem have been tired to work

Needs met through company

Needs met at retirement

Recognition Responsibility

Status Titles Position

Work Environment

Tenure Benefits

Salary Pay

Continuing Education Self Employment

Hobbies

Volunteer Work

Family

Financial Planning

Pension RRSPs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs and the Aging Adult

Social Changes

Gender Roles Roles may blend

Friendships Often more important Grown children move away

Emotional Changes

May experience loneliness or depressionNeed to balance activity and involvement

Cognitive Changes

Difficulty with memory and/or problem solving

Speed may decrease but skill in logic and understanding are often improved

May need to work longer and harder but will learn more thoroughly

Mental simulation is necessary to keep older adults thinking effectively.

Concerns in Later Life

Concerns of Older Adults

Finances: Where will my money come from?

1. The Government OAS – Universal (everyone gets it) CPP – You contribute while you are employed GIS / SPA – Need

2. Private Pension Plans Company Pension Plans 70% of salary Personal Pension Plans

3. Personal Savings and Investments Savings GICs – Guaranteed interest certificate RRSPs – Registered Retirement Savings Plan Stocks and Bonds

Concerns of Older Adults

Medical Care Many adults older adults need more medical

care due to aging or chronic illness. Over medication is another problem. Dangers of mixing drugs

Concerns of Older Adults

Living ArrangementsMost older adults want to remain

independent as long as possibleSelf worth is often measured in how well they

can care for themselves

Living Arrangements of Seniors

Population of Age 65+ 3 710

000 100%

In Private Households 2 899 000

91%

With Relatives2 008 000

63%

With Husband/Wife and/or Children

1 776 000

56%

With Other Relatives232 000

7%

With Non-Relatives73 000

2%

Living Alone818 0026%

Elderly Men190 000

6%

Elderly Women628 000

20%

Collective Households (nursing

homes/hospitals) 271 000

9%

Living Arrangements and Wellbeing

Although there are many factors are associated with happiness it was found that compared to seniors living with a spouse or with other persons, those living alone are less likely to describe themselves as very happy.

In 2003, more than half of seniors aged between 65 and 74 and living with their spouse described themselves as very happy (53%), compared to 39% of those living alone, and 37% of seniors in other types of living arrangements.

PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

Assignment Choices

Film Review Essay:

Review a film where the main characters are elderly

Then compose a 1-2 page essay discussing how topics research discussed in class coincide with characterizations or themes expressed in the film. You CANNOT pick “The Notebook”

Interview an Older Adult: Conduct a semi-structured interview of an

older adult and provide a case study discussing how your understanding of the person coincides with topics discussed in class.

  Our learning goal is to find practical

application of theory and research to “real” lives and experiences, and further our understanding of various aspects of adult development and aging.