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© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
10:1 Myths on Aging
• Aging for everyone begins at at birth and ends at death
• Gerontology: scientific study of aging and the problems of the old
• Geriatric care: care of the elderly
• Health care worker must distinguish fact from myth
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Myths and Facts
• Myth: most elderly individuals are cared for in institutions (nursing homes), or long-term care facilities
• Fact: most older people are living at home, with family, or in retirement communities or facilities
(continues)
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Myths and Facts(continued)
• Myth: all elderly people live in poverty
• Fact: less than 10 percent of people over 65 are living at poverty level
• Myth: the older generation are unhappy and lonely
• Fact: many elderly individuals socialize by being involved in charity or volunteer work
(continues)
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Myths and Facts(continued)
• Myth: anyone over 65 is old
• Fact: many elderly are active and productive into their 80s and beyond
• Myth: elderly people are not able to manage their finances
• Fact: older people have lots of experience and knowledge
(continues)
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Myths and Facts(continued)
• Myth: elderly individuals do not want to work; their goal is to retire
• Fact: there are many elderly who prefer to work into their 70s and 80s
• Myth: retired people are bored and have nothing to do with their lives
• Fact: retirees are busy with hobbies, church, family, and community
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Summary
• There are many myths about aging
• Needs of elderly individuals vary
• Even though only 5% of the elderly live in long-term care facilities, this still means that 3 million people will be in these facilities by the year 2020
• Recognizing normal changes allows the individual to adapt and cope
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
10:2 Physical Changes of Aging
• Physical changes are a normal part of the aging process
• Rate and degree of change varies
• Usually related to a decreased function of body systems
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Integumentary System
• Production of new skin cells decreases
• Sebaceous (oil) and sudoriferous (sweat) glands become less active
• Circulation to skin decreases
• Hair loses color; hair loss may occur
• Methods to adapt and cope with changes
• Measures to slow or decrease changes
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Musculoskeletal System
• Muscles lose their tone, volume, strength
• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Coping with changes
• Measures to slow or decrease changes
• Providing a safe environment
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Circulatory System
• Heart muscle becomes less efficient at pushing blood into the arteries
• Blood vessels narrow and become less elastic
• Blood flow may decrease to brain and other vital organs
• Methods used to adapt and cope with changes
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Respiratory System
• Respiratory muscles become weaker
• Rib cage becomes more rigid
• Bronchioles lose elasticity
• Changes in larynx affect voice
• Methods to cope with changes
• Measures to slow or decrease changes
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Nervous System
• Progressive loss of brain cells
• Senses diminish
• Nerve endings are less sensitive
• Methods to adapt and cope
• Measures to slow or decrease changes
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Digestive System
• Fewer digestive juices and enzymes are produced
• Muscle action becomes slower; peristalsis decreases
• Teeth are lost
• Liver function is reduced
• Methods that are used to adapt and cope with changes
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Urinary System
• Kidneys decrease in size; not as efficient at producing urine
• Decreased circulation to kidneys
• Bladder function weakens
• Methods to adapt and cope with ongoing changes
• Measures to slow or decrease changes
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Endocrine System
• Increased production of hormones
• Decreased production of hormones
• Measures to slow or decrease changes
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Reproductive System
• Female: vaginal walls thin and secretions decrease; uterus can drop; breasts sag
• Male: sperm decreases; sexual stimuli is slower; ejaculation takes longer; testes become smaller; seminal fluid becomes thinner and less is produced
• Measures to cope with changes
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Summary
• Aging causes physical changes in all body systems; rate and degree vary
• Adapting and coping means fuller enjoyment of life
• Health care workers need to assess individuals’ needs
• Tolerance, patience, and empathy are essential
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
10:3 Psychosocial Changes of Aging
• Elderly individuals also experience psychological and social changes
• Some cope well, while others experience extreme frustration and mental distress
• Health care workers must be aware of this and assess changes and stresses
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Work and Retirement
• Most adults spend a large portion of their days working
• Retirement is often viewed as an end to the working years
• Many enjoy retirement
• Some feel a major sense of loss
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Social Relationships
• Change occurs throughout life
• In elderly individuals, it may occur more rapidly
• Some elderly people adjust to changes
• Some elderly people cannot cope
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Living Environments
• Changes in living environments create psychosocial changes
• Many elderly people prefer to stay in their own homes
• Some individuals leave their home by choice
• Moving to a long-term care facility often creates stress
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Independence
• Most individuals want to be independent and self-sufficient
• Elderly people learn that independence can be threatened with age
• Factors that can lead to decreased independence include physical disability, illness, and decreased mental ability
(continues)
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Independence(continued)
• Individuals may need assistance, but the health care worker needs to allow the elderly maximum independence and personal choice
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Disease and Disability
• Elderly people are more prone to disease and disability
• Diseases sometimes cause permanent disabilities
• When functioning is affected, psychological stress is experienced
• Sick people often have fear of death, illness, loss of function, and pain
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Summary
• Psychosocial changes can be a major source of stress
• As changes occur, individuals must learn to accommodate the changes and function in new situations
• With support, understanding, and patience, workers can assist individuals as they learn to adapt
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
10:4 Confusion and Disorientation in the Elderly
• Most remain mentally alert until death
• Signs of confusion or disorientation
• It is sometimes a temporary condition
• Disease and/or damage to the brain
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Dementia
• Term used to describe a loss of mental ability
• Characteristics include decrease in intellectual ability, loss of memory, and personality change
• Acute dementia
• Chronic dementia
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Alzheimer’s Disease
• One form of dementia
• Causes progressive changes in the brain cells
• Lack of neurotransmitter
• Frequently occurs in 60s, but can occur as young as 40 years of age
• Cause is unknown
(continues)
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Alzheimer’s Disease(continued)
• Terminal incurable brain disease; usually lasting 3–10 years
• Early stage
• Middle stage
• Terminal stage
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Caring for the Confused or Disoriented Patient
• Provide safe and secure environment
• Follow the same routine
• Follow “reality orientation” guidelines
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Summary
• Caring for a confused or disoriented individual can be frustrating and even frightening at times
• Perform continual assessments
• Design program to maximize function
• Practice patience, consistency, and sincere caring
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
10:5 Meeting the Needs of the Elderly
• Geriatric care can be challenging but rewarding
• Elderly people have the same needs as others
• Cultural needs
• Religious needs
• Freedom from abuse
• Respect patient’s rights
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