14 PowerPoint ® Lecture Outlines prepared by Dr. Lana Zinger, QCC  CUNY Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Life’s Transitions: The Aging Process

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Redefining Aging  Aging Traditionally described at patterns of life changes Chronological – life-cycle stages

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Redefining Aging  Gerontology and age characteristics Biological age – person’s organs and bodily systems Psychological age – adaptive capacities (coping abilities and intelligence) Social age – habits and roles relative to societal expectations Legal age – based on chronological years Functional age – ways in which people compare to others of similar age  How do you see yourself as you age?

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Redefining Aging  Successful aging Characteristics Young-old, middle-old, old-old  Older adults By the year 2030, estimated 71.5 million people age 65 and over  In what ways does our society attempt to delay aging?

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Figure 14.1 Number of Americans 65 and Older (in Millions)

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Health Issues For An Aging Society  Health care costs Out-of-pocket cost has risen by 58% since 1994 Uninsured/underinsured Housing/living arrangements Ethical and moral considerations  What challenges will the health insurance industry face as the number of older Americans increases? What other solutions exist for older Americans?

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Theories of Aging  Biological theories Wear-and-tear theory Cellular theory Autoimmune theory Genetic mutation theory

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Psychosocial Impacts on Aging  Developmental model Progression through 8 critical stages during a lifetime Theory of personality development/adaptation and adjustment

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Changes in the Body and Mind  Typical physical changes The skin Bones and joints The head The urinary tract The heart and lungs Eyesight Hearing Sexual changes (men and women) Body comfort

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Changes in the Body and Mind  Typical mental changes Intelligence Memory Adaptability Depression Senility Ageism Alzheimer’s Disease Dementias

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. ABC News: Healthy Aging  Discussion Questions What kinds of illnesses are thought to benefit from stem cell research? Discuss the pros and cons of embryonic stem cell research. Play Video Play Video | Healthy Aging

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Health Challenges of Older Adults  Alcohol use and abuse Men tend to have higher risk of alcoholism than women  Prescription drug use Overuse Polypharmacy (multiple meds) Rising costs  Over-the-counter remedies Cheaper than prescription Medicare coverage becoming less adequate

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Strategies for Healthy Aging  Develop and maintain relationships Social bonds and support  Enrich the spiritual side of life Developing bonds with nature, environment, or higher being  Improve fitness Sarcopenia: loss of muscle mass

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Strategies for Healthy Aging  Eat for health Calcium Vitamin D Protein Healthy diet should help meet all other nutrient needs  Are you beginning today to prevent problems with bones and muscles, heart and mental health later in life?

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Caring for Older Adults  Comorbidity  Respite Care  Understanding death Defining death Dying is a process Brain death Denying death  What euphemisms do we use to deny death in this culture?

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Understanding Death  Dying The process of the decline in body functions that results in the death of an organism  Death The final cessation of vital functions  Brain death Irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brainstem  Denying death People do not like to deal with the concept of death and certain avoidance behaviors are practices by many people

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. The Process of Dying  Coping emotionally with death Five psychological stages 1) Denial 2) Anger 3) Bargaining 4) Depression 5) Acceptance

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. The Process of Dying  Corr’s Coping Approach Model Physical Psychological Social Spiritual  What do you think? Is it important to help a person get through all these stages?

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. The Process of Dying  Social death Person not treated as active member of society Loss pf being valued or appreciated by others Denying a person normal social interaction  Coping with loss Bereavement Grief Mourning  “Normal” grief Symptoms

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Figure 14.2 The Stages and Tasks of Grief

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Coping with Grief  Worden’s Model of Grieving Tasks Accept the reality of the loss Work through the pain of grief Adjust to an environment in which the deceased is missing Emotionally relocate the deceased and move on with life  Have you experienced a death among family or friends? How did you grieve?

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Life-and-Death Decision Making  The right to die Refusal of artificial life support techniques Living Will - important to write down your wishes Be specific Get an agent Discuss your wishes Deliver the directive  Rational suicide Active euthanasia Passive euthanasia

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. ABC News: Dying and Death  Discussion Questions Do you feel it is right that the government attempted to get involved in Terri Schiavo situation? Why or why not? If Terri would have had a written living will, do you think the controversy over removing her from life support would have existed? Play Video Play Video | Dying and Death

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Making Final Arrangements  Hospice care Goals of care  Pressures on survivors Making decisions quickly  Making funeral arrangements Many different customs

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Making Final Arrangements  Organ donation  Wills Intestate Holographic will Testator  What do you think? What can you do to ensure that your wishes will be carried out at the time of your death?

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings. Figure 14.3 Uniform Organ Donor Card