1. NATIVE ELDER CAREGIVER CURRICULUM NECC: 1.1 NORMAL CHANGES Caring for Our Elders: 1.1 Normal Changes

2. Holistic perspective: Growing Older through the Seasons of Life  Focus on a holistic perspective of the process of growing older  Biologically  Spiritually  Socially  Emotionally Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 2

3. Normal Age-Related Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 3  Normal to have changes in all cells of the body  As cells “get older”, then body systems get older… then WE GET OLDER  Cells are the building blocks of the body

4. “Normal” Age-Related Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 4  Each body system works “in cooperation” with all other body systems  Each body system is made up of cells, tissues, & organs specific to that system  The “bottom line” or “common denominator” is the CELL …  CELLs are the “Building Blocks”  for tissues, organs, systems of the body

5. Relationships Involved in “Building a Body” Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 5 Human body cells organssystems tissues

6. Cells are the “Building Blocks” of the Human Body Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 6 Tissues Cells make up tissues Organs Tissues make up organs Body systems Organs make up our different body systems Cell

7. Body Systems Work Together Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 7

8. What Happens to the Cells? Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 8  Two “general theories” of biological / physical aging (there are many theories, these are just 2 general ideas)  # 1: Our cells go through a lot of injuries and damage over a lifetime Cells get damaged & “used up” “wear & tear” over time

9. General Theories of Aging Continued Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 9  # 2: Our genes program the rate and changes of aging over a lifetime Cells are “pre-programmed” for how long they will last Once the programmed time is finished, the cell is finished

10. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 10  Nervous System  Decrease in number of nerve cells  Slower response time

11. Expected Changes  Sleep Patterns  Sleep less  Take longer to fall asleep  Wake more frequently during the night  Awake earlier in the morning Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 11

12. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 12  Cardiovascular System  Hard to separate the “expected changes” from “heart disease”… BUT  Overall, there is:  Increase in stiffening of arteries and heart muscle  Decreased responsiveness to nerve impulses  Slower reflex control of heart rate & blood pressure

13. Expected Changes  Pulmonary System (Lungs & airways )  Less elasticity of lungs  Stiffening of the chest wall  More resistance to air flow  Lower oxygen levels in bloodstream Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 13

14. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 14  Kidneys  Decrease in : size blood flow filtering rate

15. Expected Changes: Kidneys continued Decrease in : number of nephrons or filtering units ability to concentrate urine ability to eliminate medications from the body ability to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance ability to recognize being thirsty Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 15

16. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 16  Bladder  Increase in: Frequency of urinating (“going often”) Urgency (“have to go!”) Night time urination (“up at night”) Incontinence is not “normal” aging

17. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 17  Digestive System Mouth  Increased loss of tooth enamel, dentin, teeth  Decreased sense of smell and taste  Dry mouth

18. Expected Changes  Digestive Stomach & Intestines  Slower stomach emptying & digestion  Constipation related to decrease in mobility, fluid intake and or diet factors Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 18

19. Expected Changes Digestive Liver Decreased blood flow Decreased ability to metabolize (“get rid of”) medications in system  Gallbladder Increase in gall stones Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 19

20. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 20  Muscles  Decrease in muscle “bulk”  Decrease in muscle strength  Decrease in lean body mass We become “fluffier”

21. Expected Changes  Good News for Muscles!  We keep the ability to regenerate muscle tissue!  Strength training can prevent muscle loss! Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 21

22. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 22  BONES  Loss of bone tissue  Decreased strength of bone  More brittle bones  Decreased minerals deposited in bones

23. Expected Changes  Both men & women lose bone tissue… but  Women lose more bone  Women have faster bone loss  Loss of height due to curving & changes in the spine Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 23

24. Expected Changes  JOINTS  Cartilage becomes more rigid & fragile  Decreased range of motion in joints Due to changes in muscles & ligaments Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 24

25. Expected Changes  JOINTS  Increased osteoporosis Increase in fractures  Decreased height Changes in spine Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 25

26. Expected Changes Knee joints  are very often affected in elders & can limit walking Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 26

27. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 27  Skin  Becomes dry, thinner, wrinkled  More sensitive to ultraviolet radiation (sun)  Decrease in blood vessels to skin layers  Decrease in elasticity

28. Expected Changes SKIN  Increased risk for irritation & infection  Slower wound healing ability  Decreased ability for the body to regulate its own temperature Danger of heat stroke & hypothermia  Decreased sense of touch & pressure Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 28

29. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 29  Immune System  Slower wound healing (cuts, scratches, surgical wounds, etc)  Decreased ability to fight infections Decrease in “T” cell activity Altered “B” cell activity

30. Expected Changes Immune System  Increased risk for bacterial infections Especially lungs, urinary tract, skin  Increase in autoantibodies risk for “autoimmune” diseases  Decreased ability to fight infections Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 30

31. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 31  Stress Response  Adaptation to stress is weakened  Difficult to keep “balance”

32. Expected Changes  Reproductive System: Women  Menopause age around 51.4 years ( on average )  Reduced estrogen related to increase risk for osteoporosis & coronary artery disease Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 32

33. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 33  Reproductive System: Men  Decreased reproductive function but does not totally cease Increased number of defective sperm & decreased sperm motility  Decreased testosterone levels  Increased time for erection  Increased enlargement of prostate gland with difficulty urinating

34. Expected Changes Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 34  Blood System  Decreased iron levels can be related to anemia in elders  Decreased lymphocyte function related to decrease in immune system response

35. Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes 35