Chapter Nineteen Aging: A Vital Process

What Happens as You Age? Even with the healthiest behaviors, aging still occursEven with the healthiest behaviors, aging still occurs It results from biochemical processes still not fully understoodIt results from biochemical processes still not fully understood The functioning of the human body is not affected until after the age of 70The functioning of the human body is not affected until after the age of 70 The changes that do occur are due to gradual aging and impairment from diseaseThe changes that do occur are due to gradual aging and impairment from disease

How to Delay the Aging Process? Challenge the MindChallenge the Mind Develop Physical FitnessDevelop Physical Fitness Eat WiselyEat Wisely Maintain a Healthy WeightMaintain a Healthy Weight Recognize and Reduce StressRecognize and Reduce Stress Control Drinking and Overdependence on Medications Don’t Smoke Schedule Physical Exams to Detect Treatable Diseases

How to Delay the Aging Process? Challenge the MindChallenge the Mind Develop Physical FitnessDevelop Physical Fitness Eat WiselyEat Wisely Maintain a Healthy WeightMaintain a Healthy Weight Recognize and Reduce StressRecognize and Reduce Stress Control Drinking and Overdependence on Medications Don’t Smoke Schedule Physical Exams to Detect Treatable Diseases

Types of Changes That Occur With Aging Social ChangesSocial Changes Roles and Relationship ChangesRoles and Relationship Changes Increased Leisure TimeIncreased Leisure Time New Economic SituationNew Economic Situation

Adapting to Physical Changes There are some physical changes that will be inevitable such as:There are some physical changes that will be inevitable such as: Hearing LossHearing Loss Vision ChangesVision Changes ArthritisArthritis MenopauseMenopause OsteoporosisOsteoporosis

Psychological and Mental Changes As one ages, the following conditions could affect one’s mental statusAs one ages, the following conditions could affect one’s mental status Dementia/Alzheimer’s DiseaseDementia/Alzheimer’s Disease Grief and MourningGrief and Mourning DepressionDepression

Life Expectancy This is the average length of time we can expect to liveThis is the average length of time we can expect to live Current life expectancy for someone born in 2002 is 77.3 yearsCurrent life expectancy for someone born in 2002 is 77.3 years Women have a longer life expectancy than menWomen have a longer life expectancy than men Life expectancy also varies among the following:Life expectancy also varies among the following: Ethnic groupsEthnic groups Socioeconomic levelsSocioeconomic levels GeneticsGenetics Lifestyle factorsLifestyle factors

Theories on Aging The following theories are possible reasons why we ageThe following theories are possible reasons why we age –Cellular Theory based on genetic makeup of cells containing ‘aging’ genes that can duplicate so many times –Cellular Theory based on ‘free radicals’ that would undermine the integrity of cell membranes –Immune system failure to provide adequate protein synthesis causing an auto-immune disorder –Metabolic function which causes collagen to stiffen over time, creating immobility

Older Americans as a Minority People over the age of 65 (35 million) are considered a minority population in the United StatesPeople over the age of 65 (35 million) are considered a minority population in the United States The status of older Americans are improving from past years i.e. health care, economics, etc.The status of older Americans are improving from past years i.e. health care, economics, etc. However, there still are a percentage of elderly who are ill and dependent upon othersHowever, there still are a percentage of elderly who are ill and dependent upon others Many Americans still rely on Social Security, which still does not provide the essential to have an adequate retirement lifestyleMany Americans still rely on Social Security, which still does not provide the essential to have an adequate retirement lifestyle

Community Resources for Older Adults Senior Citizen’s CentersSenior Citizen’s Centers Homemaker servicesHomemaker services Visiting NursesVisiting Nurses Household ServicesHousehold Services Friendly visitor or daily telephone reassurance servicesFriendly visitor or daily telephone reassurance services Home food delivery services Adult day hospital care Low-cost legal aid Transportation Case Management

How to Change the Public’s Perception on Aging? Examine our own perceptions of what ‘aging’ actually meansExamine our own perceptions of what ‘aging’ actually means Make available arrangements for full and part time volunteersMake available arrangements for full and part time volunteers Provide re-training programs or new educational programsProvide re-training programs or new educational programs

Chapter Nineteen Aging: A Vital Process