1. Chapter Fourteen The Challenge of Aging

2. 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

3. 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 Dont Smoke Schedule Physical Exams to Detect Treatable Diseases

4. 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 Dont Smoke Schedule Physical Exams to Detect Treatable Diseases

5. 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

6. 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

7. Psychological and Mental Changes As one ages, the following conditions could affect ones mental statusAs one ages, the following conditions could affect ones mental status Dementia/Alzheimers DiseaseDementia/Alzheimers Disease Grief and MourningGrief and Mourning DepressionDepression

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. How to Change the Publics 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

12. Defining Death Death has been defined as cessation of the flow of vital bodily fluidsDeath has been defined as cessation of the flow of vital bodily fluids This occurs when the heart stops beating and breathing ceasesThis occurs when the heart stops beating and breathing ceases The concept of cellular brain death involves the following:The concept of cellular brain death involves the following: –Lack of receptivity and response to external stimuli –Absence of spontaneous muscular movement and spontaneous breathing –Absence of observable reflexes –Absence of brain activity (EEG)

13. Denying vs. Welcoming Death Many people seek to avoid any mention of deathMany people seek to avoid any mention of death The saying, out of sight, out of mind appears to be the rule compared to facing death directlyThe saying, out of sight, out of mind appears to be the rule compared to facing death directly Cartoons and video games give death a two- dimensional concept which distorts realityCartoons and video games give death a two- dimensional concept which distorts reality Problems can arise when the avoidance or denial that death can happen to youProblems can arise when the avoidance or denial that death can happen to you

14. Planning For Death Accepting that death will occur allows the ability to plan for this eventAccepting that death will occur allows the ability to plan for this event Basic tasks may include:Basic tasks may include: Making a WillMaking a Will Considering options for End-of-Life careConsidering options for End-of-Life care Home CareHome Care Hospital based Care (palliative care)Hospital based Care (palliative care) Hospice ProgramsHospice Programs

15. Deciding to Prolong Life or Hasten Death Once someone is given the prognosis that life would end soon, the following decisions would have to be consideredOnce someone is given the prognosis that life would end soon, the following decisions would have to be considered Withholding or Withdrawing Treatment (passive euthanasia)Withholding or Withdrawing Treatment (passive euthanasia) Assisted Suicide (active euthanasia or physician assisted)Assisted Suicide (active euthanasia or physician assisted) Advanced Directive (document regarding treatment if you become unable to make them)Advanced Directive (document regarding treatment if you become unable to make them) Living WillLiving Will Health Care ProxyHealth Care Proxy Organ DonationOrgan Donation

16. Planning a Funeral A funeral are rites of passage that commemorate a persons life and acknowledge their existenceA funeral are rites of passage that commemorate a persons life and acknowledge their existence Funerals provide a framework that allows survivors to support one another as they cope with the loss and express griefFunerals provide a framework that allows survivors to support one another as they cope with the loss and express grief The following need to be addressed when planning a funeralThe following need to be addressed when planning a funeral Disposition of the bodyDisposition of the body Service ArrangementService Arrangement

17. Coping With Dying Charles Corr distinguishes 4 primary dimensions in coping with dyingCharles Corr distinguishes 4 primary dimensions in coping with dying Physical (satisfying bodily needs0Physical (satisfying bodily needs0 Psychological (maximizing sense of security)Psychological (maximizing sense of security) Social (sustaining significant relationships)Social (sustaining significant relationships) Spiritual (reaffirming sources of meaning)Spiritual (reaffirming sources of meaning) Contemplating these dimensions gives us a framework for considering specific tasks that need to be addressedContemplating these dimensions gives us a framework for considering specific tasks that need to be addressed

18. Coping With Dying Charles Corr distinguishes 4 primary dimensions in coping with dyingCharles Corr distinguishes 4 primary dimensions in coping with dying Physical (satisfying bodily needs0Physical (satisfying bodily needs0 Psychological (maximizing sense of security)Psychological (maximizing sense of security) Social (sustaining significant relationships)Social (sustaining significant relationships) Spiritual (reaffirming sources of meaning)Spiritual (reaffirming sources of meaning) Contemplating these dimensions gives us a framework for considering specific tasks that need to be addressedContemplating these dimensions gives us a framework for considering specific tasks that need to be addressed

19. Coping With Loss Grief is the reaction to loss and encompasses thoughts and feelings, as well as physical and behavioral responsesGrief is the reaction to loss and encompasses thoughts and feelings, as well as physical and behavioral responses Mourning is closely related to grief and refers to the process by which a person adjusts to loss and incorporates this into their lifeMourning is closely related to grief and refers to the process by which a person adjusts to loss and incorporates this into their life William Worden has identified 4 tasks when mourningWilliam Worden has identified 4 tasks when mourning Accepting the reality of lossAccepting the reality of loss Working through the painWorking through the pain Adjusting to a change environmentAdjusting to a change environment Emotionally relocating the deceased and moving onEmotionally relocating the deceased and moving on

20. Chapter Fourteen The Challenge of Aging