1. Issues in Aging Class 5 Improving the Quality of Life of an older individual

2. Improving the lives of Elderly Pretest – In Your journal… – Write on how can we improve the lives of Our elderly nursing home residents Our own family members

3. Improving the lives of Elderly Nursing Home Give choices – Bed time, food, friends, activities Well rounded Leisure time – Physical, social, emotional Quality Care – Educated, quality, competent staff – Caring individuals Proper medical care – Medications, hospital Listen – Often residents are communicating in many different ways – Visual, tears, pain, UTI, anger At Home Remain independent – Cleaning, cooking, driving Frequent visits – Family visits 2 – 3 x a week Quality, appropriate meals – Appropriate consistency – nutritious Doctors visits – Are they going? Remove cluttered areas – Throw rugs, laundry, boxes, pet Provide assistance – Lawn care, neighborhood kids

4. Reasons to love being 50 Because of grandchildren Because you have the guts to change careers Because you’re free to do what you want now Because you can live alone and still be happy Because you are secure enough to take advice and also able to give it Because you have seen the world change dramatically and have changed with it Because you grew up before the age of video games and… Because we know how to be fit Because we are living longer

5. Then and Now Eating blueberries in the wild Climbing trees Walking with friends on the train tracks “Be home by dark” Summer camp Skinned knees Will this make our seniors better prepared? Lunchables Having allergy tests Having your parents lead you around on a leash “Call me with your cell phone” Fat camp Carpal Tunnel

6. Seven years later Video of how life has changed in seven years Thoughts of each family – How parents treated children – How children treated parents – feelings

7. Assisting our Families Talk to them – Tell them what happened today – Bring out the best in them Invite them to be involved in care – UP TO A POINT!! Give examples – Pick out clothes Have them help out in programs Become a volunteer – In other areas not related to their loved one – Have them assist others Encourage them to attend a support group

8. Stress in the elderly Residents and families Causes of stress – What are they? – What are your stressors True or False – Stress is not a factor with the elderly

9. Stress management Relaxation Work with the problem Find a stress relief – Exercise, family, travel, hobby Ask for assistance Follow the Grief ‘rules’ – acceptance of illness Support groups

10. Reducing the effects of Aging How can we stop it? True or false??? – Exercise will only make things worse

11. Reducing the Effects of Aging Exercise – Aerobic 20 minutes a day, 3 x a week – Anaerobic Strength training – Increase muscular endurance Sustain work over a period of time Ability to do own transfers, lift out of w/c – Cardio vascular endurance Elevate heart rate, lower cholesterol, increase metabolism

12. Types of exercise for the elderly Walking - #1 Bowling (no beer) Gardening Swimming Light aerobics Light hikes Dancing Obviously changes and is modified as we age

13. Problems with the elderly Suicide – No money, friends, family, – Illnesses increase Most at risk for minor depression – Usually can deal with problems as they arise Money – SSI dependent, pensions??, increase in cost of meds, food, heating, etc

14. Stress in your life Identify a stressful part of your life or a caregiver at your facility – Journal entry Describe ways that you are helping yourself or your caregiver – Journal entry

15. For next week… test (post test) & written journal Four changes – Physical – Social – Psychological Ageism – is everything negative as we age? – Successful aging Improving the life of elderly Different cultures --- changes Successes in nursing homes

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