Issues in AgingCurriculum

Prepared for Specialty Coursework

1/09

Course ObjectivesUpon completion of this course the student

will be able to::

List and define physical, psychological and physiological changes with aging and the impact on the individual and their care giver

Identify and evaluate their own personal feelings about the aging process through their participation in experiential activities

Identify similarities and differences between cultures and be able to identify the need to provide individualized quality care based upon those findings

Course Objectives Continued: Identify the role sexuality plays in the life of an

older individual

Research and explore various methods to ensure physical and emotional safety for older individuals (prevention of falls and injuries/depression /isolation and loss/preparing and coping with death of others and themselves)

List and define the terminology associated with aging and medical issues common to aging

Course Objectives Continued: Demonstrate how to conduct a life review

program through role play and articulate how to assist an individual in leaving a legacy

Discuss ways to treat older individuals with care and respect. Discuss the concept of culture change and name 6 ways to incorporate culture change in a long - term care setting

What is Aging?

Define Aging Define Ageism

Examples? What is Gerontology

Examples of biological, economical, psychological, social and health aspects

How do We Age?

Demographics of aging Life Expectancy Aging during different times periods

Demographics

Facts 35 million people over 65

18.5 million 65 – 74 12.3 million 75 – 84 4.2 million 85 and over

In 1900 – if you were 65 you could expect to live 12 years --- 85 years old only 4 years

In 2000 – if you were 65 – live 19 years,

85 – 7 years

Why do you live longer now? Give some reasons…

What Happens as we age

40’s – 50, 50 – 60, 70 - 80 What happens

Health Family Job Social circle

80 – 90, 90 – 100+ What happens

Health Family Social circles etc

Ageism Participation in an experiential activity

about aging. Participants will articulate their feelings about the aging process though participation in one of the following activities:

Into Aging In my shoes: Growing Old Vision/hearing modifications etc

Stereotypes of Aging Positive/Negative Physical Characteristics Positive/Negative Social Characteristics Personality Traits Sexuality Ability to learn/cognition

Physical changes Sensory

Hearing Vision Taste and Smell

Skin , hair, nails Skeletal system

Everyone will have some type of change

Some more drastic than others due to outside elements

Physical Changes Physical Changes with occur with aging:

Vision Loss Color changes Driving issues

The Aging Process (Physical Changes continued)

Hearing Loss (presbycusis) Frequency and intensity Time interval changes

Smell/Taste loss

Physical Changes (Continued)

Body Sensations Touch Pain Muscle movement Vibration

Physical Changes (Continued)

Skin Dry/wrinkles

Hair Loss/gray

Hormonal changes/Menopause Loss of sexual desire? Loss of ability?

Other

Journal Entry Please write down what your feelings were in

regards to dressing up and / or using the glasses / cotton balls and popcorn in your shoes.

How do you think it is to live these types of impairments?

Illness Illness is not a normal process of Aging

The Losses we experience through illnesses

Family / friends / Your possessions Your physical characteristics

As we age – the transition of housing Home >> hospital >> assisted living >> senior

housing >> day care >> nursing home

Common Chronic Illnesses Cardiovascular disease Atherosclerosis Hypertension Congestive Heart Failure Cerebrovascular Disease

Atherosclerosis Greek words meaning

Athero – meaning gruel or paste

Sclerosis – Hardness Deposits of fatty

substances that build up in the inner lining of an artery

Risks Diabetes High cholesterol Obesity Smoking High fat diet Family history Stress

Treatment Low fat diet, control

blood pressure. Stop smoking, control blood sugars

Hypertension Individuals with a BP

of over 120 – 139 / 80 – 90 considered to be pre – hypertensive

Risks Heredity, race, age,

obesity, smoking, sleep apnea, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, salt, stress

Treatment Decrease salt intake Healthy weight Increase physical act. Don’t smoke Limit alcohol Manage your stress medication

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Heart failure Condition in which the heart cannot

pump enough blood to the body’s other organs

Causes Narrowed arteries Post heart attack – scar tissue High BP Disease of heart

(cardiomyopathy) Heart defects Infections of heart

Treatment Quit smoking Lose weight if

overweight Avoid or limit alcohol Limit caffeine Low fat, low sodium

diet Exercise & reduce

stress

Cerbrovascular Disease / Stroke A thrombosis or

embolism which completely blocks the blood supply to a part of the brain or a ruptured vessel that causes bleeding within the brain

TIA – Transient Ischemic Attack

Can cause dementia Risk factors

Hypertension high cholesterol

Treatment Surgery Drugs Hospital care Rehab

“Whisper the Women” Video sharing the stories of seven older

women who reflect upon their lives.

Cancer Lung Colorectal (colon) Stomach Prostate (men) Breast (men and

women) Skin (melanoma)

Treatment Smoking cessation Sun avoidance Primary interventions

Screenings Mamograms Colonoscopy

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Reduced flow and slow forced emptying of the lungs

Do not change over the course of several months

It is a lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible

Different types of COPD’s Chronic Bronchitis Emphysema Pulmonary Fibrosis Asthma

Treatments STOP SMOKING Inhaled Steroids Vaccinations O2

Bronchodilators Pulmonary rehab

Diabetes Type 1

Pancreas does not produce insulin

Insulin dependent Juvenile diabetes

Type II Pancreas produces

some insulin but not enough

Most common type of diabetes

Highest incident found in Hispanic and African Americans

Diabetes and the function of insulin Blood sugar rises

Pancreas detects the rise Pancreas pumps out insulin into the blood Insulin helps the uptake of glucose into muscles

and other cells This causes the blood glucose level to fall to its

normal set point and Pancreas detects the fall and switches off insulin

production

Diabetes Treatments

Dietary changes NCS, complex carbs Weight loss Exercise Medications

Oral, insulin

Complications Vision loss Kidney failure Cardio failure Neuropathy

Limb sensation

Osteoarthritis (OA) Degenerative joint

Disease Cartilage in your joints

wears down over time Causes swelling, pain

and loss of motion in the joint

Most will experience by the age of 80

Causes Aging Joint injury Inactivity Excess body weight Heredity

Treatment Weight loss Low impact exercise Heat Medication Joint replacement

Osteoporosis Reduction in bone loss

due to depletion of calcium and bone protein

Predisposes a person to fractures

More common in older adults

Risks Age Low calcium intake Low body weight Smoking, alcohol Family history Sedentary lifestyle

Treatment Increase calcium and

vitamin D (younger the better)

Weight bearing exercises

Journal Entry Please explain how you fell about the losses

you experienced during today’s class.

Fear of Aging Media

Magazines Movies Advertising Greeting Cards

Personal Feelings Cultural influences Impact of caregivers attitudes

Physical Issues: How can we help?

Fall prevention Prevention of injuries common to an older

individual Modifications for home

Attitude Other safety issues

Restructuring the environment Clutter Issues Safety Issues

Physical activities

Physical issues: How can we help?

Nutrition Medications Wellness Exercise

Aging Process (Physical Changes)

Physical disabilities Diseases Disorders Medications Impact of the symptoms on an individual Impact of the symptoms on a caregiver

The Aging Process (Sociological Changes)

Social Roles Cultural Life Roles Adaptation of Roles in Society Aging and Changes in Social Context

Theories of Psychosocial Aging

Disengagement Theory Activity Theory Life Course Theory

Psychosocial Changes

Behavior Social Interactions Impact of Aging on Leisure

Sociological Changes- How can we help?

Depression Suicide

Highest rate of any age group More “successful” when they try to kill themselves

Isolation Cultural differences Impact of Aging on Family Members Sexuality Dealing with Difficult Individuals

How Can We Help? (continued)

Loss Family Friends Home Freedom Identity Other

Aging Process (Psychological Changes)

Adult Development Aging and Specific Physiological Functional

Changes Loss, Death, Widowhood, Bereavement Counseling Spirituality Medications

Psychological Changes-How can we help?

Control Psychological well being Life Satisfaction:

Zest Resolution and Fortitude Completion Self-Esteem Outlook

Improving Quality of Life

Home/family Long Term Care Turning negatives into positives

Respecting and Valuing the Aging Individual

Life review Incorporating Culture Change into a long

term care facility Leaving a legacy

My favorite things… Write five favorite things

Those who are important to you Family, friends, pets, etc.

Possessions Physical characteristic Residence

Being home, hospital, assisted living, day care, nursing home

Will take one away