Successful Aging Terri Waldman Copper Canyon

What is it? Successful Aging: Does it mean that you have aged successfully if you are disease free? “What are the components of quality life when you are young? When you are older?

Definition of Health “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” “Salutogenesis” means the origin of health. Shift attention to what creates health rather than what causes disease World Health Organization (Mayo Clinic Newsletter January 2014)

Studies/Statistics % of Americans 65 and older has tripled in the last 100 years and is now 13% of the population Research shows that 85% of older adults are satisfied with their lives Life satisfaction is strongly related to health, socioeconomic status and relationships with family and friends Research is difficult because it is all based on individual perceptions that are complex and varied Older women who live alone are more likely to be poor than couples or older men 59% of minority older women over 85 years are poor 43 million Americans possess no health insurance and millions more have inadequate coverage All persons do not have equal chances to age well based on lack of access to services and opportunities along the life cycle

Influences on Aging Process Physiological Changes Disease and Disability Cognitive and physical functioning Psychological Changes Staying involved with life and living Financial Status

Physiological Changes with Aging Heart rate slows with aging Blood vessels lose elasticity and narrow and harden Less blood flow to kidneys (40’s) Lungs become less elastic, weakening in breathing process and decrease in ability to cough Less blood to intestines, stomach juices more acidic, slowing of digestion

Physiological changes cont….. Skin changes Lower iron in blood Bones more porous and brittle Joints become enlarged and stiff Sensory loss Brain and nervous system slow down reflexes

Disease and Disability Risk of disease increases with age. Early intervention and lifestyle choices increase chances of prevention/treatment and/or cure Some Diseases that increase with age include Cancer, Heart Disease, Stroke, Osteoporosis and Dementia

Risk Factors for Disease Smoking Drinking Sedentary lifestyle Eating Habits Access to healthcare Vaccinations Hygiene issues Lack of Social and familial relationships Lack of Cultural/spiritual involvement Inadequate Finances Mental Health Issues

Prevention of Disease/Disability Exercise Nutrition Hydration Social Involvement Spiritual Activity Medication Management Access to Services

Cognitive Functioning Activity Involvement with people who bring meaning and support Fears of learning new things Social Interaction Independence and support Safe decision making and trust in designated representative Temperament

Psychological Challenges Retirement Loss of independence Memory Loss and death Life review

Emotional Reactions to challenges Grief Guilt Loneliness Depression and anxiety Sense of helplessness Rage

Involvement in Life and Living Daily interaction/checks Meaningful socialization Productivity Independence Outlets for Creative Expression

Finances Appropriate Early planning Access to advisors Trust in representative Personal beliefs about spending, finances and future Gender, Culture

Components of Successful Aging Physical Health Financial Security Productivity Life goals Independence Staying involved in meaningful activities Creative Expression and Spirituality

Aging is a Process Live Life in the Present, mindfulness is helpful (Antonovsky 2014) Move forward, don’t dwell in the past. Social supports and life experience are predictors of how well this will work for an individual Try to make sense of an ever changing world through multigenerational relationships, study, counseling and support of all kinds

Questions???? Terri Waldman