Hey! Gerontology Happens A guide for better understanding the challenges faced by older adults

Old age is not a disease

Fact or fiction? Old people are all alike. Old people are all alike.

Fact: There is more variability among elders than any other segment of the population!

Fact or fiction? Aging makes elderly people demanding and irritable. Aging makes elderly people demanding and irritable.

Fact: Great changes in personality do not normally result from aging.

Fact or fiction? Most elderly people are confused or disoriented Most elderly people are confused or disoriented

Fact: Confusion or disorientation affects only a small number of elderly people.

Fact or fiction ? Elderly people aren’t interested in sex. Elderly people aren’t interested in sex. Fact: At ages 60+ about 50% are sexually active.

Fact or fiction ? Retired people “have it made”.

Fact: old age is a time of great loss for many elders. the loss of loved ones the loss of health the loss of physical appearance and strength the loss of value to society

Changes that may be associated with normal aging... Bone Bone Heart Heart Nervous system Nervous system Eyes and ears Eyes and ears Nose and tongue Nose and tongue Muscle Muscle Skin Skin General General

Changes in vision Lens thicken Lens thicken Lens less elastic Lens less elastic Blurred or dim Blurred or dim Yellowing Yellowing Impaired night vision Impaired night vision Cataract Cataract

Changes in hearing Lifetime of noise Lifetime of noise Social isolation Social isolation Family frustration Family frustration Misjudged as senile Misjudged as senile

Sensitivity to medications

Depression Grief Grief Fear Fear Loss of independence Loss of independence Limitation of physical senses Limitation of physical senses Loss of role Loss of role

Tips for visiting a person with special needs... Hearing impaired: Hearing impaired: –Speak more clearly, not louder. –Maintain good eye contact –Sit so that person can see your lips –Watch facial expressions to make sure you’re understood

Tips for visiting a person with special needs... Unable to speak or understand well (often due to stroke) Unable to speak or understand well (often due to stroke) Give the person plenty of time to speak Ask questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no” Use gestures or point to objects Don’t talk about the person to others in front of them

Tips for visiting a person with special needs... Blind Blind –Use vivid descriptions –Offer to read newspapers, mail, etc. –Encourage the person to use other senses...hearing, touch, smell.

Share a caring touch Shake hands (don’t squeeze hard). Shake hands (don’t squeeze hard). After asking and receiving permission, hug when you greet each other and at the end of your visit After asking and receiving permission, hug when you greet each other and at the end of your visit Place your hand gently on the person’s arm or shoulder while you are speaking. Place your hand gently on the person’s arm or shoulder while you are speaking.

Facts about older Americans Life expectancy Life expectancy – yrs – yrs – yrs There are currently estimated to be 50,000 to 75,000 Americans who are over 100 years old!

1998Life Expectancy All Black White All Black White All76.7 yrs.71.3 yrs.77.3 yrs. All76.7 yrs.71.3 yrs.77.3 yrs. Men73.8 yrs.67.6 yrs.74.5 yrs. Men73.8 yrs.67.6 yrs.74.5 yrs. Women79.5 yrs.74.8 yrs.80.0 yrs. Women79.5 yrs.74.8 yrs.80.0 yrs.

Facts about older Americans 80% of older adults who need long-term care in our country receive that care not in nursing homes but rather in their own homes or in community settings from informal caregivers (family or friends).

May you live to experience a healthy and active old age!