Aging

KNR 270

GROUP ACTIVITY

List 8-10 words to describe being old List 8-10 bad things about growing old List 8-10 good things about growing old When you are 75, in what ways will you look

like you do now? In what ways will your appearance be

different?

GROUP ACTIVITY cont.

Which of your current leisure activities will be similar to what you will do when you are 75?

Which will be different? What might you like about being 75?

AGING

Not homogeneous group Young old 65-74 Old 75-84 Old old 85+

2000: 36 million Americans over 65 yrs. (1/8) 2030: 70 million projected

Smith, Austin, Kennedy, Lee, & Hutchison, 2005

AGING

Life expectancy is 75+ Men 72 Women 79

Carter, Van Andel, & Robb, 2003

Increased numbers living to 100

Baby boomers are changing aging Only about 5% in nursing homes

General Effects of Aging

Decreased visual acuity Some hearing loss

Especially higher pitched sounds Some memory loss Some motor coordination problems Not all older people have disabilities

AGING

Increased incidences of all disabilities previously discussed

Chronic conditions Diabetes, COPD, orthopedic impairments Hip replacements Falls

What is the number 1 disease that impacts mobility? Arthritis

AGING

What are the 4 leading causes of death? Heart disease Cancer Stroke Dementia (Alzheimer’s is 1 form)

Increased depression Increased addictions

Alcohol, over-counter prescriptions, prescribed medications, laxatives

Other Potential Issues

Decreased financial resources Living on fixed income Medication/insurance costs

Lack of companionship Loss of driving privileges or limited

transportation Fear of crime Facing own mortality

Alzheimer’s Disease

Do you know anyone?

Which former President had AD?

Alzheimer’s is just 1 form of dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease

4 million Americans By 2050 over 14 million 1/10 over 65 1/ 2 over 85 ½ of all people in NH have AD

Can live 8-20 years after onset Average = 8-10 years

Effects cognitive first, then physical Death often from pneumonia

Top 10 Warning Signs Memory loss

(esp. recently learned info)

Difficulty performing familiar tasks (prepare meal, take bath)

Problems with language (substitute words)

Disorient to time & place (later person)

Top 10 Warning Signs

Poor or decreased judgment (give $ away)

Problems with abstract thinking (balance checkbook)

Misplacing things (iron in freezer)

Top 10 Warning Signs

Changes in mood or behavior

Changes in personality Suspicion, fearful, dependent on family member

Loss of interest Passive, increased sleeping

(Wandering & catastrophic reactions)

Alzheimer’s Disease: Criteria

Manifested by both impaired memory (long or short term) & learning (can’t learn new information or can’t recall information previously learned) with 1 or more: Aphasia (language disturbance) Apraxia (impaired ability to carry out motor activities

despite intact motor function) Agnosia (failure to recognize or identify objects despite

intact sensory function) Disturbance in executive functioning (e.g., planning,

organizing, sequencing, abstracting)

Alzheimer’s Disease: Criteria

Cognitive deficits cause significant impairment in social or occupational functioning & represent significant decline from previous functioning

Cognitive decline begins gradually & worsens steadily

Alzheimer’s Disease: Criteria

Cognitive deficits are not due to any of the following: Other central nervous system conditions (e.g.,

CVA, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, subdural hematoma, brain tumor)

Systemic conditions that cause dementia (e.g., hypothyroidism, vitamin B-12 or folic acid deficiency, HIV infection)

Substance-induced conditions

3 Stages

Losses & rate of progression is unique to each person

Early Recent memory deficits yet good memory for past

events Lack of awareness of personal difficulties Word-finding problems & confusion with words

that sound alike Decreases in spontaneity

3 Stages

Middle Restless at night Irritability & mood swings Wandering & pacing Mispronunciation of words & naming losses Inability to initiate a movement & gait

disturbances

3 Stages

Advanced Dependent on others for self-care needs Inappropriate outbursts & babbling Disorientation towards time, space, and people Problems like depression & aggressiveness Inability to walk

Carter, Van Andel, & Robb, 2003

Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) 1: No cognitive decline 2: Very mild cognitive decline

Age associated memory impairment 3: Mild cognitive decline 4: Moderate cognitive decline

Mild dementia 5: Moderately severe cognitive decline

Moderate dementia 6: Severe cognitive decline

Moderately severe dementia 7: Very severe cognitive decline

Severe dementia

Considerations/Accommodations

Exercise & physical activity Fitness & wellness programs

Fitness Centers Share life experience Socialize with age cohorts Step-by-step directions Consider cost of programs Consider transportation

Close parking Provide transportation

Considerations/Accommodations

Restrooms near activity site Contrasting colors & light Listen to participants Show respect Enunciate clearly

Speak in lower voice Use talents Volunteer opportunities

Considerations/Accommodations

Lifelong learning programs Travel

Elder hostel programs Intergenerational programs Nature Stress management

Thai Chi

Considerations/Accommodations

Adult day care programs Swimming Reality orientation Remotivation Reminiscence Support for caregivers Others???