Understanding the Normal Aging Process

Summary

The video script delves into the multifaceted aspects of aging, highlighting the physical, emotional, and social changes that individuals experience as they grow older. It underscores the importance of understanding these changes to support the elderly in aging gracefully. The script outlines common age-related health conditions, such as hearing loss and dementia, and discusses the impact of aging on metabolism, cognitive functions, and organ systems. It also addresses the emotional challenges of aging, including denial, stress, and depression, and emphasizes the role of caregivers in assisting with these issues. The video provides practical advice for maintaining health and quality of life in older adults, including maintaining a proper diet, engaging in physical activity, exercising the brain, and fostering a positive outlook. It concludes with strategies for coping with the emotional changes of aging, including social interaction, acceptance of change, and laughter, to ensure a fulfilling golden years.

Takeaways

• 📈 The aging process involves gradual physical and mental changes, with a higher risk of disease and is influenced by various life transitions.
• 🧠 Cognitive decline is not uniform across individuals or cognitive functions, with symptoms including slower reasoning and diminished spatial orientation.
• 🏃‍♂️ Physical activity is crucial for older adults to maintain health, relieve pain, and improve mental strength, balance, and immune system.
• 🍽️ A proper diet is essential for older adults to prevent malnutrition, with recommendations to consume lean protein, high-fiber foods, and stay hydrated.
• 🧘‍♀️ Social interaction and maintaining relationships are vital for emotional well-being and can help prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness.
• 🧗‍♂️ As physical abilities change, adaptations such as assistive devices and timely assistance can help older adults maintain independence and quality of life.
• 👵👴 Emotional challenges like denial, loss of purpose, and depression are common in aging and can be mitigated through understanding and support.
• 👂 Hearing and vision loss are common with aging, and using assistive devices can help maintain social connections and safety.
• 🦴 Bone, joint, and muscle health deteriorate with age, but supplements, diet, and exercise can help slow these changes and prevent injuries.
• 🧪 Regular health check-ups and screenings are important for early detection and management of age-related health conditions.
• 🌟 Encouraging hobbies, social activities, and a positive outlook can significantly improve the quality of life for older adults.

Q & A

What is the importance of understanding the aging process?

Understanding the aging process is crucial because it equips caregivers and individuals with the knowledge to manage the physical and emotional changes that come with aging. It promotes lifestyle choices that maximize longevity and quality of life, and assists individuals to age gracefully.

How does aging affect an individual's physical capabilities?

Aging leads to a gradual decrease in physical and mental capabilities, increased risk of disease, and ultimately death. It is associated with conditions such as hearing loss, cataracts, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and dementia. Older individuals may also experience geriatric syndromes like frailty, urinary incontinence, and falls.

What are some common emotional changes associated with aging?

Emotional changes with aging can include denial, lack of purpose, helplessness, hopelessness, stress, guilt, grief, sadness, isolation, loneliness, anxiety, stubbornness, and depression. These changes can stem from loss of independence, social connections, and physical abilities.

How can caregivers assist in managing the changes associated with aging?

Caregivers can assist by providing information, suggesting lifestyle changes, offering physical exercise to improve health, managing medications, and offering emotional support. They can also help residents maintain social connections, ensure proper nutrition, and promote a positive outlook on life.

What are some physical changes that occur during the aging process?

Physical changes include a decrease in metabolism, changes in taste and smell, cognitive decline, loss of lung elasticity, stiffening of blood vessels, weakening of bladder muscles, skin thinning, gum recession, changes in eyesight and hearing, and alterations in sexuality. Bones, joints, and muscles also weaken, leading to reduced mobility and increased risk of fractures.

How can a proper diet contribute to the well-being of older adults?

A proper diet can prevent malnutrition, which is common but often underdiagnosed in older adults. It should include lean protein, high-fiber fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and adequate hydration. Supplements may be necessary for certain minerals like calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for bone health.

Why is physical activity important for older adults?

Physical activity can relieve chronic pain, control weight, reverse bone loss, improve energy levels, boost the immune system, enhance posture and balance, and lower blood pressure. It also helps to keep the mind strong and alert, which is important for overall mental health.

What are some ways to keep the mind sharp during aging?

To keep the mind sharp, older adults can learn new instruments, games, or languages; engage in social interactions; participate in word games or crossword puzzles; and try new activities that challenge the brain. Joining activity groups or attending classes can also be beneficial.

How can caregivers help residents cope with emotional changes during aging?

Caregivers can help by encouraging residents to join support groups, spend time with others, schedule outings, accept changes, indulge in hobbies, and participate in spiritual activities. They can also bring in volunteers to teach new skills or organize social events to provide something for residents to look forward to.

What are some risk factors for suicide in older adults?

Risk factors for suicide in older adults include being alone for long periods, physical or emotional pain, loss of ability or decline in self-care, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, substance use disorders, a new diagnosis of dementia, and recent losses.

How can caregivers ensure the safety and well-being of older adults in their care?

Caregivers can ensure safety by checking for hazards in the home, ensuring proper lighting, maintaining up-to-date electrical and gas appliances, and scheduling regular medical check-ups and screenings. They should also be attentive to emotional well-being by providing companionship, encouraging socialization, and supporting the resident's independence.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Understanding the Aging Process

This paragraph introduces the video's focus on the normal aging process, including physical, emotional, and social changes. It emphasizes the importance of understanding aging for caregivers and the elderly, and how lifestyle choices can improve longevity and quality of life. The World Health Organization defines aging as a decrease in physical and mental capabilities, with an increased risk of disease. The paragraph also lists common conditions in older age, such as hearing loss and dementia, and touches on geriatric syndromes.

05:01

🌿 Physical Changes and Caregiver Assistance

The second paragraph delves into specific physical changes associated with aging, such as changes in metabolism, taste, and smell, as well as cognitive decline. It discusses the loss of brain structures and diminished cell function, leading to memory issues. The paragraph also covers organ functions, like the decrease in lung elasticity and heart rate changes, and provides suggestions for caregivers to prevent or mitigate these issues, including exercise, diet, and stress management.

10:03

🧒 Aging and Its Impact on Sexuality and Stress

This paragraph addresses the physical changes in sexuality, such as menopause and dysfunction, and the stress that seniors often experience due to loss, grief, and changes in roles. It suggests maintaining healthy relationships to prevent depression and improve self-esteem. The paragraph also discusses the importance of physical health in managing stress and the physical changes associated with aging, such as bone and muscle loss, and the benefits of calcium and Vitamin D supplements.

15:06

👴 Social and Emotional Changes in Aging

The fourth paragraph explores the social and emotional challenges of aging, including loss of independence, financial issues, and isolation. It discusses the importance of understanding these changes to assist older individuals. The paragraph outlines questions doctors may ask to develop a care plan, such as family relationships, living arrangements, and daily activities. It also covers emotional changes, like denial and lack of purpose, and the impact of grief and loss on the elderly.

20:06

🧗‍♂️ Coping with Aging: Physical and Mental Strategies

The fifth paragraph provides strategies for coping with the emotional changes of aging, such as proper diet, physical activity, brain exercises, regular medical check-ups, and maintaining a positive outlook. It highlights the risk factors for suicide in older adults and the importance of recognizing these signs. The paragraph also offers practical advice for caregivers on how to support older individuals, including ensuring proper nutrition, encouraging exercise, and promoting social interaction.

25:08

🤽‍♀️ Enhancing Quality of Life for the Elderly

The final paragraph suggests various activities and measures to enhance the quality of life for the elderly. It encourages social interaction, physical exercise, mental stimulation, and spiritual care. The paragraph provides a list of suggestions, such as joining support groups, scheduling outings, accepting changes, indulging in hobbies, and laughing, to help residents enjoy their later years. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing the physical, social, and emotional needs of the elderly to ensure they enjoy their golden years.

Keywords

💡Aging Process

The aging process refers to the natural biological changes that occur in living organisms as they grow older. It is characterized by a gradual decrease in physical and mental capabilities and an increased risk of disease. In the video, this concept is central as it discusses the various physical, emotional, and social changes that individuals experience as they age, and how to cope with these changes.

💡Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline is the loss of cognitive abilities such as memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills that can occur with aging. The video explains that cognitive decline is not uniform among individuals and can manifest in slower inductive reasoning, diminished spatial orientation, and declines in perceptual speed, among other symptoms. It is an important aspect of the aging process discussed in the video.

💡Geriatric Syndromes

Geriatric syndromes are health conditions that are common in older adults and are often the result of multiple underlying factors. These include frailty, urinary incontinence, falls, delirium, and pressure ulcers. The video highlights these syndromes as complex health conditions that can emerge during the aging process and impact an individual's quality of life.

💡Social Isolation

Social isolation refers to the state of being separated from social interaction and feeling disconnected from others. The video discusses how social isolation can increase with age due to mobility issues, loss of friends, and changes in family dynamics. It is identified as a significant social issue that can lead to low self-esteem and depression in older adults.

💡Physical Activity

Physical activity is any form of movement that works the body and contributes to maintaining physical health. The video emphasizes the importance of physical activity for older adults to relieve chronic pain, control weight, reverse bone loss, and improve mental strength and alertness. It provides tips for caregivers on how to encourage and support physical activity for residents.

💡Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a condition that results from a lack of proper nutrients. In the context of the video, it is identified as a significant challenge for older adults, often underdiagnosed due to its symptoms being misinterpreted as those of other ailments. The video advises on the importance of a proper diet to prevent malnutrition and maintain a healthy lifestyle as one ages.

💡Emotional Well-being

Emotional well-being refers to the state of one's emotional health, including the ability to manage emotions effectively and maintain positive relationships. The video discusses how emotional well-being can be affected by the aging process, with changes such as loss of independence, grief, and social isolation leading to feelings of helplessness and depression. It also offers strategies for promoting emotional well-being in older adults.

💡Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is mentioned in the video as a condition that can affect older adults, leading to a decline in their ability to care for themselves and potentially causing denial or resistance to medical treatment, which can further complicate health issues.

💡Independence

Independence, in the context of the video, refers to the ability of an individual to perform daily tasks and maintain control over their life without assistance. The aging process can lead to a loss of independence due to physical and cognitive changes, which can be emotionally challenging and lead to feelings of helplessness and a loss of identity.

💡Support Groups

Support groups are gatherings of individuals facing similar issues who provide mutual support and share experiences. The video suggests that joining or starting a support group can be beneficial for older adults as it helps them feel less alone, face issues, and potentially work through emotional challenges associated with aging.

💡Hobbies and Interests

Hobbies and interests are activities that individuals engage in for pleasure or personal satisfaction. The video highlights the importance of maintaining or developing new hobbies and interests as a means to stimulate the mind, foster a positive outlook, and provide a sense of purpose and enjoyment in the later years of life.

Highlights

The rapid growth of the elderly population is increasingly important to understand the aging process.

Aging is a gradual decrease in physical and mental capability, with a growing risk of disease and death.

Common conditions in older age include hearing loss, cataracts, osteoarthritis, diabetes, depression, and dementia.

Older individuals often experience several health conditions simultaneously.

Geriatric syndromes, such as frailty and urinary incontinence, are common consequences of multiple underlying factors.

Metabolic changes in aging include slower processing of food, medicine, and decreased appetite.

Taste and smell senses diminish with age, often affecting the enjoyment of food.

Cognitive decline is inevitable, but the extent varies among individuals.

Physical changes in aging also affect organ functions, such as decreased lung elasticity and heart rate slowing.

Bladder muscles weaken with age, leading to increased frequency of urination and potential incontinence.

Skin, teeth, and gums show signs of aging, such as thinning skin and gum recession.

Vision and hearing naturally decline with age, affecting daily activities and social interactions.

Emotional changes in aging can lead to feelings of loss, grief, and depression.

Social changes in aging include isolation, reduced finances, and altered family dynamics.

Caregivers can assist with emotional challenges by encouraging social interaction and maintaining a positive outlook.

Physical activity and a proper diet are crucial for maintaining health and independence in older adults.

Regular cognitive stimulation through learning and social interaction can help prevent mental decline.

Caregivers play a vital role in assisting older adults to age gracefully by promoting healthy lifestyle choices and managing changes.

Transcripts

[Music]

thank you

hello and welcome to adult foster care

policy training and enforcement sections

video understanding the normal aging

process

in this video we'll focus on some of the

changes we experience as we age we'll

take a look at the physical changes

emotional changes social changes and

lastly how to cope with these changes

let's begin our journey

according to the Boston University

School of Public Health the rapid growth

of the elderly population makes it

increasingly important to understand the

aging process

we all experience the aging process

either in our self or by caring for

others and we can't stop the effects of

the physical and emotional losses that

come with aging

knowing what to expect during the aging

process as well as promoting lifestyle

choices that maximize not only longevity

but also the quality of life during

aging and how to manage the changes the

body undergoes can equip caregivers to

assist individuals to age gracefully

the World Health Organization explains

aging is a gradual biological decrease

in physical and mental capability

also a growing risk of disease and

ultimately death

these changes are neither linear nor

consistent and they are only loosely

associated with the person's age in

years

Beyond biological changes aging is often

associated with other life transitions

such as Retirement relocation to more

appropriate housing and the death of

friends and partners

the Zeal for Life dwindles due to many

changes during the aging process coming

to terms with this process can be

painful physically socially and

emotionally

let's take a closer look at some of

these changes

the World Health Organization further

explains some of the common conditions

in older age include hearing loss

cataracts and refractive errors back and

neck pain osteoarthritis

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

diabetes depression and dementia

as people age they are more likely to

experience several conditions at the

same time

older age is also characterized by the

emergence of several complex health

conditions commonly called geriatric

syndromes

they're often the consequence of

multiple underlying factors that include

Frailty urinary incontinence

Falls delirium and pressure ulcers

let's further discuss some of the

physical changes listed on the screen

we'll start with metabolism as bodily

functions slow the food medicine and

drinks consumed are not processed as

quickly appetite May decrease and high

fiber foods are hard to chew and can

irritate the intestines

prescription medication and diets may

cause decreased saliva production and

difficulty swallowing

alcohol and caffeine intake may also

affect each person differently

moving on to taste and smell

the sense of taste and smell work

together a decrease in one ability can

lead to the decrease in another

the number of taste buds decrease as a

person ages with the remaining taste

buds losing mass

it's not uncommon to also experience dry

mouth more often which can affect the

sense of taste

suggest to Residents to avoid smoking

and exposure to harmful particles in the

air which can accelerate the loss of

taste and smell

also suggest to check with their doctor

that medications aren't altering the

ability to taste and smell things

have them look into products such as gas

detectors that give off alarms that can

be seen and heard if there is a concern

about being unable to smell gas leaks

during the aging process the brain loses

some of the structures connecting nerve

cells and the function of the cells

themselves diminish increasing those

senior moments

memory may become less efficient with

age and reactions to situations slow

Boston University biology of Aging

indicated cognitive decline is

inevitable but the extent to which it

occurs and how rapid of an onset varies

among individuals there's much evidence

that cognitive decline is neither

uniform among people nor is it uniform

across the different cognitive functions

of the brain

the symptoms of cognitive decline that

are associated with aging include some

of the following

slower inductive reasoning for slower

problem solving diminished spatial

orientation

declines in perceptual speed

decrease numeric ability

losses in verbal memory

few changes in verbal ability

on this slide we'll talk about some

organ functions during the normal aging

process

lungs lose elasticity and rib cage

muscles shrink which decreases breathing

capacity

maximum breathing capacity diminishes

with each decade of Life starting about

age 20. this may manifest as shortness

of breath lung infections such as

pneumonia and bronchitis low oxygen

levels which reduces the body's ability

to fight diseases and abnormal breathing

patterns such as sleep apnea

some ways caregivers can assist to

prevent these problems include some of

the following

provide information and suggest a

resident stops smoking

offer daily physical exercise to improve

lung function

and assist residents to avoid lying in

bed or sitting for long periods which

allows mucus to collect in the lungs

especially right after illness or injury

as age progresses heart rate slow and

blood vessels and arteries may become

stiffer causing the heart to work harder

this can lead to high blood pressure or

hypertension and other heart problems

a caregiver can offer an exercise

program and suggest that the residents

participate

provide a healthy diet

and provide ways to assist residents to

manage their stress

bladder muscles weaken causing frequency

to urinate impossible incontinence

women are more likely than men to be

incontinent

increased frequency and urination is

common with age as the bladder muscles

relax without warning during infection

or irritation

damage to nerves and other causes

individuals are more susceptible to

urinary tract infection or a UTI as they

age

a caregiver can assist residents with

timely assistance using the bathroom and

encourage residents to ask for

assistance sooner rather than waiting

till it is a dire need

on this slide we'll touch on skin teeth

and gums eyes and hearing during the

aging process

the skin may become thinner and more

elastic or fragile individuals may

bruise easily or notice the skin has

become drier or easily tears

cuts and bruises will take longer to

heal pressure ulcers from immobility are

common

when assisting with bathing take more

precautions by bathing in warm and not

hot water and use mild soaps or

moisturizers

ask the resident to use sunscreen and

protective clothing when Outdoors

teeth and gums

the gums may pull away

or recede from the teeth with age

certain medication can also cause dry

mouth leaving teeth and gums vulnerable

to Decay an infection

suggest or assist if in the Resident

care agreement the resident brush and

floss daily and keep regular checkups

with the dental hygienist

eyesight changes

peripheral vision decreases as well as

depth perception which may affect daily

activities such as reading watching

television or walking

individuals may also experience a

decreased Clarity of color perception

suggest regular vision and exams

hearing

loss of hearing as age progresses

decreases the ability to distinguish

sounds when there is background noise

Additionally the loss of the ability to

hear sounds at the higher end of the

spectrum such as women and children's

voices is very common

there are a number of assistive devices

besides hearing aids to help maintain

quality of life

telephone amplifying devices

TV and radio listening systems and

emergency alerts for doorbells smoke

detectors and alarm clocks that can

signal visually and with vibrations

the next physical change is sexuality

men and women experience physical

changes such as dysfunction and

menopause

stress is common among seniors and tends

to stem from loss and grief the older an

individual becomes they lose

Independence

closeness and affection with the loss of

a partner may have less finances

less or no privacy and lose more people

or pets which can get emotionally and

physically painful

pressure among seniors may also result

from lack of a purpose associated with

retirement

children leaving home

or the change in the child parent roles

and physical changes occurring in their

bodies

older people that continue to have

healthy relationships can help prevent

depression and improve self-esteem and

physical health

share the following suggestions from the

Mayo Clinic with residents

take care of yourself and stay as

healthy as possible and Beyond a healthy

diet exercise not smoking or drinking

too much alcohol or caffeine take time

to socialize laugh

think positive

practice gratitude try new activities

George Bernard Shaw got it right in his

quote

you don't stop laughing when you grow

old you grow old when you stop laughing

the last physical changes we will

discuss are our bones joints and muscles

as we age

somewhere around age 35 bones begin to

lose minerals faster than they are being

replaced

bone shrink in size and density as you

age which makes them weaker and

susceptible to fractures

vertebrae shorten resulting in a shorter

stature

muscles become stiff lose strength and

flexibility

you may become less coordinated with

decreased Mobility

reactions are slower and falls in injury

are more likely

calcium and Vitamin D supplements will

promote healthy bones muscles and joints

exercise diet and assistance to move

will help prevent bone loss and loss of

muscle strength

so far in this series we've discussed as

we age physical issues hinder our

ability to do activities and disorders

and disabilities are more prevalent

beyond the physical changes as we age we

also face social issues which impact our

risk of illness physically and

emotionally

we'll discuss a few of those social

issues here

lack of difficulty with Mobility affects

socializing

it's harder to move and get around

without assistance

we stop driving

we choose not to go out because it's too

hard or we don't want to bother anyone

to transport us somewhere

social activities

our social networks dwindle due to loss

of friends closing of facilities such as

senior activity Halls Etc

we stop doing those activities or

projects that we used to enjoy

we stop going to meal times with others

as chewing and swallowing becomes harder

our finances

we may have a reduced or fixed income

making it difficult to purchase items or

go on outings and we don't want others

to pay our way

isolation

social relationships change or Fade Away

family and friends stop visiting

we tend to stay in and separate from

others as we feel we're a burden causing

us to have low self-esteem and

depression

relationships

friends die

and as Retirement years roll on

co-workers stop reaching out

family roles change children become the

caregivers and visit less and less

as a caregiver encourage residents to

talk with their doctor about these

social changes doctors can often conduct

a social history to gain insight and

develop a plan which we'll discuss on

the next slide

doctors can use the social history to

help the older person and caregivers

make plans for care and social support

doctors may ask some of the following

questions

who are the family members and the

relationship between the older person

and the family members

what is the individual's marital or

companionship status

what are the relationships with people

that they see regularly

what is the individual's living

arrangements financial status work

history or education

what are the typical daily activities

for example how are meals being prepared

what activities add meaning to life and

where are problems that may be occurring

is there a need for an availability of

caregivers

what is the history of losses and

traumas for example patterns of Family

Violence episodes of sexual assault or

lifetimes of racial oppression

and the coping strengths born out of

this adversity

what is the history of substance use and

legal issues

what is the older person's own

caregiving responsibilities

for example they may be caring for a

family member and reluctant to report

their own symptoms which may interfere

with their caregiving

what is the individual's concerns about

home

neighborhood transportation

or access to good and services

are there other specific worries or

stresses in the individual's daily life

we'll move on to emotional changes as we

age Dr Rebecca Reddy PhD stated in her

article printed in Psychology today

changes in emotions with age are complex

older adulthood is not simply a time of

emotional well-being and tranquility

strong emotions exist and reactions to

important life events May increase with

age rather than diminish

with this in mind as a caregiver

understanding these emotional challenges

can Empower you to assist residents and

offer the Positive Solutions that we

will discuss later in this presentation

we've discussed aging is a stage of life

that we can't stop and each person

adjusts to aging differently

those that fight and try to resist the

physical and social changes of Life can

develop emotional issues

foreign the first emotional issue we'll

discuss is denial

choosing to ignore the aging process and

changes that occur can lead to further

complicated health issues

the next change lack of purpose and

identity helplessness and hopelessness

the individual may feel they are useless

helpless and overwhelmed by physical

problems changes in living arrangements

or negative events

this can lead to loss of Independence

and is closely connected to our sense of

identity

we can't do things we love by ourself

anymore

such as driving cooking or doing things

that we used to do

we feel like a burden and have low or no

stamina to carry on day to day

the next emotional change is stress and

guilt which are common

physical losses such as our possessions

social losses and the guilt that

accompany aging can be very difficult

emotionally

loss of people and things loss of our

spouse or significant other

close friends a beloved pet our vehicle

home or familiarize surroundings

feelings of guilt that we could have

prevented the situation if only

grief and sadness are normal reactions

to such situations and we can't Stamp

Out These reactions in ourselves or in

older individuals

the next change isolation and loneliness

emotional well-being is rooted in

socializing and having relationships and

interaction

love affection and intimacy is needed

throughout life

as we age we may isolate ourselves as we

are no longer able to experience real

world outings such as shopping

dinner

social gatherings

less interaction with family and friends

brings on a sense of uselessness

powerlessness and hopelessness

the next change is anxiety

anxiety is an emotion we experience when

we're not sure we can handle the future

it is then manifested into anger toward

those closest to the individual such as

family and the caregivers

which can lead to further conflict

another resistance mechanism is

stubbornness

a way of taking back some control with

Defiance and resistance

which leads to difficulty having a good

relationship with others in the home or

caregivers and family

a new diagnosis of illness or dementia

as we age we may dwell on how things

were and yearn for those days again

refusing to accept change

a new diagnosis may lead to denial or

choosing not to accept doctor

recommendations and leaning on home

remedies causing further complications

and if left without proper treatment can

lead to jeopardizing health and life

the last emotional change depression

loss of a loved one former Lifestyles

relationships Health Vision hearing

capability levels Mobility or

Independence can lead to depression

as a caregiver helping the individual

understand these feelings can be normal

and get help if the feelings continue

for an extended time or interfere with

their daily living

if these issues are not addressed the

risk of feeling of suicide May develop

let's review the suicide risk factors

as a caregiver knowing the risk factors

of suicide is key

in the article older adults and suicide

what you can do to help found in

Psychology today the following risk

factors were identified as being the

most significant for increasing the risk

of suicide in older adults

one being alone for long periods of time

and having a sense of isolation

a caregiver can help older adults stay

socially connected

to

physically ill

ensure the individual has met with their

doctor for proper medication and care of

the illness

three pain

physical or emotional pain

encourage the individual to seek

professional assistance from a doctor or

therapist

4. loss of ability or decline in a

person's ability to care for themselves

a caregiver can encourage provide timely

assistance with needs and assurance

5.

mental health conditions like depression

anxiety alcohol and other substance use

disorders a new diagnosis of dementia

a caregiver can ensure that medication

is passed correctly and on time

also advise the administrator if you

notice medications in the residence room

that need to be verified with the doctor

and added to the med list

as a caregiver it's important to empower

the older person on how to cope with the

emotional changes of Aging in order to

prevent further development of more

severe physical and mental issues

so what can you do as a caregiver

knowing what to expect as you and those

you care for age is the best way to

prevent mental and physical health

problems and to adopt Healthy Lifestyles

to make golden years comfortable and

enjoyable

let's further discuss each of the

following

proper diet

physical activity

exercise your brain

regular visits to physician

and positive outlook laugh

proper diet reports from the World

Health Organization indicate that

malnutrition is a significant challenge

for people age 65 and above

however it's under diagnosed since its

symptoms which include lightheadedness

muscle weakness and weight loss can

easily be interpreted as symptoms of

another ailment

proper diet is therefore important in

ensuring a happy and healthy life

here are some tips to guide residents on

a healthy diet as they age

eat lean protein and high fiber fruits

vegetables and whole grains

fiber helps the slow down digestive

system and keeps an individual feeling

energetic

encourage residents to seek advice from

their health provider regarding

supplements they may not be able to

consume all the minerals the body needs

through diet certain minerals such as

calcium and vitamin D which are

essential for healthy bones can be

absorbed in the form of supplements

suggest to drink plenty of water

even when a resident does not feel

thirsty

with the normal aging process a resident

may not feel thirsty as often as the

body still needs the water

if a resident herein is dark and cloudy

that could be a sign that they are

dehydrated

nutritionalists recommend seniors drink

three to five glasses of water each day

recommend eating with a friend a

neighbor or a family member

this will allow the resident to spend

time with others and connect and also

ensures eating well and not skipping

meals it's also fun and more enjoyable

than eating alone

physical activity a study conducted on

older sedimentary Americans aged 70 to

89 found those who met to walk around a

track twice a week under supervision

where 28 percent less likely to be

persistently disabled physically as

opposed to those who did not walk

this study indicates that it's not too

late to begin and shows the importance

of physical exercise

the benefits of exercise include some of

the following it helps relieve chronic

pain brought about by conditions such as

arthritis pinched nerves or osteoporosis

it helps keep weight under control which

prevents obesity diabetes and some

cardiovascular diseases

exercises like muscle training and

resistance help reverse bone loss which

comes with age and gives a strong back

and shoulders

it feels good after a workout and energy

levels go up

sleep is better after exercise

boosts the immune system

posture and balance are improved

it assists in keeping mentally strong

and alert

it lowers blood pressure

here are a few tips for a caregiver to

share with residents

consult with a health care provider

before signing up for an exercise

program

start slowly and increase the pace and

frequency as stamina improves

identify an interesting exercise to look

forward to doing

this could be swimming

walking with a friend or a pet

or even yoga

exercise with a friend to motivate each

other

or join a class

exercises for the brain

there are ways to keep the Mind Sharp

starting with eating a healthy diet and

maintaining an exercise program

with old age comes forgetfulness and

other mental challenges

here are some ways to help residents

stimulate the mind

learning a new instrument game or

language

adding variations in usual activities or

join an activity group color paint or

draw

join a cooking class or read a book

playing word games or crossword puzzles

and advancing to harder ones to increase

the challenge

social interaction and carrying on

conversations are mentally stimulating

encourage residents to attend social

functions movie night bingo Church

working on a puzzle with a friend or

invite a family member for ice cream

preventative measures

it's important residents see a physician

often and go for screenings and testings

as recommended

some of these may include checking blood

pressure

screening for cancer

pelvic exams

screening for diabetes

eye tests hearing tests

mammogram

screening for prostate cancer

dental exam

it's also recommended to get

vaccinations for tetanus flu and

pneumonia

protective measures to take in the home

may include

check for loose wiring and remove

extension cords check for frayed carpets

or loose rugs that could cause a fall

ensure electrical and gas appliances are

up to date

ensure proper Lighting in all rooms

remove furniture or things that can

obstruct a resident's path and could

cause a fall

have a positive outlook some of the ways

caregivers can assist residents to deal

with the painful emotional challenges

that come with old age are

one suggested to join a support group or

start a support group in the home

interacting with individuals who have

gone through similar experiences help

others feel less Alone face issues and

possibly work through them

two recommend residents spend time with

at least one other person a day this

could be a neighbor a friend or a family

member

physical interactions are more enriching

and helps ward off feelings of

loneliness and depression

three

schedule outings the residents can

attend visit a museum go shopping maybe

go to lunch

go to a concert or a park

four

travel or create a travel experience in

the home to a place where residents have

always wanted to go

it doesn't have to be expensive it could

be going to a national park in town that

residents want to visit or create a

Hawaiian luau for everyone to enjoy

five encourage acceptance of the changes

that have happened in each person

instead of trying to resist them

getting old and losing loved ones is

inevitable it happens to everyone

share the information we've discussed

today with residents once residents

accept and enjoy what they have they

will be free to live a happier life

six proposed residents indulge in a new

hobby like golf biking or baking or pay

attention to an old one set up croquet

in the yard offer a cooking class or

crafts or painting class

Etc

seven

bring in volunteers to offer to teach a

new language or a sport or even a

musical instrument

eight

schedule church services or meditation

to take care of spiritual needs this

will lead to a more relaxed life

9. bring in volunteers this is a great

way to meet people who share the same

interests as residents and gives the

residents something to look forward to

each week

10. help residents write a memoir

reflect on lessons struggles and

victories of their life to share with

the world

11.

laugh

give residents a reason to laugh

look through old photos in the

hairstyles and how beautiful or handsome

they thought they looked

watch old TV shows and critique what

used to be good acting or how old those

actors are now

help residents enjoy life and as the

saying goes laughter is the best

medicine

providing for the physical social and

emotional needs of residents will ensure

they will enjoy their golden years

thank you for joining us today for our

discussion on the normal aging process

on the next slide we have provided

resources used in this presentation and

for you to further explore the topic of

Aging

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