2. DEFINITION OF TERMS.
aging
noun
The process of growing old or maturing.
An artificial process for imparting the characteristics and properties of age.
age
noun
The length of time that a person or thing has existed.
The time of life when a person becomes qualified to assume certain civil and personal rights and
responsibilities, usually at 18 or 21 years; legal age.
verb
To cause to become old or to show the signs of becoming old.
To cause to mature or ripen under controlled conditions
3. aged
adjective
Being of advanced age; old.
Characteristic of old age.
noun
Elderly people considered as a group.
4. What is aging?
Aging has been defined as the collection of changes that render
human beings progressively more likely to die (Medawar, 1952).
Aging has also been defined as a progressive functional decline, or
a gradual deterioration of physiological function with age,
including a decrease in fecundity (Partridge and Mangel, 1999;
Lopez-Otin et al., 2013), or the intrinsic, inevitable, and
irreversible age-related process of loss of viability and increase in
vulnerability (Comfort, 1964).
5. aging is a complex process composed of several features:
1) a rapid increase in mortality with age;
2) physiological changes that typically lead to a functional decline with
age;
3) increased susceptibility to certain diseases with age.
So, aging is therefore defined as a progressive deterioration
of physiological function, an intrinsic age-related process of
loss of viability and increase in vulnerability.
Geriatrics/Gerontology is the branch of biomedical sciences that
studies aging
6. PRINCIPLES OF GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING
PRACTICE
Aging is a natural process common to all living
organisms.
Various factors influence the aging process.
Unique data and knowledge are used in applying the
nursing process to the older populations.
The elderly share similar self-care and human needs with
all other human beings.
Gerontological nursing strives to help older adults
achieve optimum levels of physical, psychological, social
and spiritual health so that they can achieve wholeness.
7. FACTORS INFLUENCING AGING
Heredity
Nutrition
Health status
Life experiences
Environment
Activity
Stress produce unique
8. The Aging Process
Aging is a process of becomings; not a state; and
seeks the opportunities for growth and experiences.
Each age group faces it own set of unique cognitive,
psychological, social and emotional set of problems,
issues and solutions.
No matter what age, vulnerability still exists. Seem
to have more patience for the needs of children and
babies in comparison to older, ill adults.
9. Your personal view on aging
Your Personal View on Aging affects your interactions
with older people, the type of programming you offer,
how the programming is customized.
Your belief systems will show in the interactions ie. Baby
talk, talking slow or loud
Think about your personal view on Aging… Do you feel
it will be a positive or negative experience? Are you
looking forward to it?
Do you subconsciously change when you interact with
seniors? Talk loudly or slowly?
10. Positive views on aging
People look forward to the “Golden Years”
Society has different standards that older people are
held to in comparison to younger people
Have more free time to spend with friends
and Family
Have the freedom to do the things that
couldn’t be done before
11. Negative views on aging
Poor view of turning 60 or 70
Older you get the worse off your health
Children like young adults
Will end up in an old age home
Age discrimination (employment, healthcare, etc)
Women aren’t as beautiful as they age
Become more cranky
Wrinkled Skin
No one wants to hang out with you unless forced to
You’re a burden to society
12. Positive stereotype on aging
Older people are nice
Warm, friendly people
Have lots of knowledge & wisdom
Older people are well off financially
Free to do as they please
Old Age is peaceful and fun
Senior Citizens Discount
13. Negative Stereotypes about Aging
Many older people are:
Sick, Disabled, Demented
Have no sexual desire or the thought of seniors having
sex is gross
Drain on the medical system
Old workers are not as good as younger people
Families will put you in a home when you become a burden
Live in poverty or cannot afford their medications
14. Changes in Views & Stereotypes
Society’s view and attitude towards seniors is changing
Changes rapidly happening because of the growth in
population
Many people in the younger generation will be
expected to care for older adults at some point in their
life ie: service providers, volunteers, healthcare
workers, policy makers, government
Has your views or beliefs started to change or shift as a
result of these readings?
15. Views and stereotypes
Each age group encounters it’s own set of challenges,
issues, and solutions.
The media plays a big role on how our opinions are
formed, tv programs, magazine ads, etc
Watching how our parents interact with their parents
influences how we think
The arguments for the positive and negative aspects of
aging are real
Views are ever changing and forming, your view can be
changed starting now!
16. Aging begins from day we are born
Everybody experiences aging differently and the
timelines are not the same for everyone
A person’s genetics ( ethnic background, parents
DNA, etc)
Changes in cell structure contribute to the growth
and decline of the body
How we treat our bodies is a major factor on how
we will age
17. Aging is normal
Changes in the body and health are not bad nor should
be considered a “Dis-Ease”
Changes include:
Sensory System
Bones, Muscles, Tissues
Digestion
Respiratory System
Brain and Central Nervous System
Metabolism
Heart and Circulatory System
18. How we treat our bodies will affect how our bodies age
Health problems occur because of misuse, overuse, and
abuse to our bodies
We can help the aging process by limiting the abuse and
taking care of ourselves.
Incorporation of vitamins, supplements, dietary changes,
exercise, anti-oxidants, detoxification, positive, mental,
emotional, and physical attitudes will help
Evidence from studies has shown that incorporating anti-
oxidants into diet will help slow down free radical damage
19. As we age, our bodies change in many ways that affect the function of both
individual cells and organ systems. These changes occur little by little and
progress inevitably over time. However, the rate of this progression can be
very different from person to person. Research in aging is beginning to find
out the reasons for these changes and the genetic and environmental factors
that control them.
Genetic and Environmental Factors
Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors
Cellular Changes Associated with Aging
Bodily Changes Associated with Aging
Changes in Height
Changes in Weight
Changes in Body Composition
Other Changes with Aging
Normal Aging and Disease
Changes in the Regulation of Body Systems
20. Genetic and Environmental Factors
The aging process depends on a combination of both
genetic and environmental factors. Recognizing that every
individual has his or her own unique genetic makeup and
environment, which interact with each other, helps us
understand why the aging process can occur at such
different rates in different people. Overall, genetic factors
seem to be more powerful than environmental factors in
determining the large differences among people in aging
and lifespan
21. Behaviors of a Healthy Lifestyle
Not smoking
Drinking alcohol in moderation
Exercising
Getting adequate rest
Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables
Coping with stress
Having a positive outlook
22. Cellular Changes Associated with Aging
Aging causes functional changes in cells. For
example, the rate at which cells multiply tends to
slow down as we age. Certain cells that are
important for our immune system to work
properly (called T-cell lymphocytes) also decrease
with age. In addition, age causes changes in our
responses to environmental stresses or exposures,
such as ultraviolet light, heat, not enough oxygen,
poor nutrition, and toxins (poisons) among others.
23. Age also interferes with an important process called
apoptosis, which programs cells to self-destruct or
die at appropriate times. This process is necessary
for tissues to remain healthy, and it is especially
important in slowing down immune responses once
an infection has been cleared from the body.
24. Bodily Changes Associated with Aging
Our bodies normally change in appearance as we
age.
Changes in Height
We all lose height as we age, although when the
height loss begins and how quickly it progresses
vary quite a bit among different people.
Generally, our height increases until our late
forties and then decreases about two inches by age
80. The reasons for height loss include the
following:
25. changes in posture
changes in the growth of vertebrae (the bones that make up
the spine)
a forward bending of the spine
compression of the discs between the vertebrae
increased curvature of the hips and knees
decreased joint space in the trunk and extremities
joint changes in the feet
flattening of the arches
The length of the bones in our legs does not change much.
26. Changes in Weight
In men, body weight generally increases until their mid-
fifties; then it decreases, with weight being lost faster in their
late sixties and seventies. In women, body weight increases
until the late sixties and then decreases at a rate slower than
that of men.
People that live in less technologically developed societies
do not show this pattern of weight change. This suggests
that reduced physical activity and changes in eating habits
may be causes of the change in body weight rather than the
aging process
27. Changes in Body Composition
The proportion of the body that is made up of fat doubles
between age 25 and age 75. Exercise programs may prevent
or reverse much of the proportional decrease in muscle mass
and increase in total body fat. This change in body
composition is important to consider in nutritional planning
and level of activity. The change in body composition also
has an important effect on how the body handles various
drugs. For example, when our body fat increases, drugs that
are dissolved in fatty tissues remain in the body much
longer than when our body was younger and more
muscular
28. Other Changes with Aging
Normal aging in the absence of disease is a
remarkably benign process. In other words, our
body can remain healthy as we age. Although our
organs may gradually lose some function, we may
not even notice these changes except during
periods of great exertion or stress. We may also
experience slower reaction times.
29. Normal Aging and Disease
Aging and disease are related in subtle and
complex ways. Several conditions that were once
thought to be part of normal aging have now been
shown to be due to disease processes that can be
influenced by lifestyle. For example, heart and
blood vessel diseases are more common in people
who eat a lot of meat and fat. Similarly, cataract
formation in the eye largely depends on the amount
of exposure to direct sunlight.
30. The aging body
Problems
Loss of elasticity
Loss of fatty tissue
Dry skin
Nails thick & tough
Hair- gray, lose
Prevention
Keep warm
Don't bathe daily
Use lotion
Watch for skin tears
Do not clip toenails
Good skin care
32. Nervous system-vision
Glaucoma-
increase pressure in eye
s/sx tunnel vision
halo around vision
Cataracts
thickening of lens
blurring and dimming of lights
Presbyopia
loss of vision - aging
Stroke
Vessel changes in eyes
33. Warning signs of vision loss
Loss of coordination
Squinting
Odd color combinations
Walking carefully
Sensitive to a glare/light
Can't see in dark
34. Nervous system-hearing
warning signs
Speaks loud
Repeats self
Doesn't react to sound
Irritable around crowds
Confused
Can't hear high pitch sounds
35. Helping a patient with hearing loss
Speak clear and slow
Face resident
Turn off background sound
Check hearing aid
37. Taste and smell
Problems
Decrease appetite
c/o food tasteless
Unaware of body odor
Prevention
Use spices
Make food appealing
Encourage hygiene
38. Nervous System
Brain
Problems
Decrease blood to brain
Loss of brain cells
Short memory
Slow to react
Confusion, dizziness
Fatigue
Short term memory loss
Good long term memory
Interventions
Maintain safety
Reorient pt
39. cardiovascular
Problems
Heart less efficient
Blood circulates with less
force-poor circulation
Can't tolerate stress,
activities
Decrease artery elasticity,
narrows
Heart has to work harder
Interventions
Rest breaks
Avoid overexertion
Moderate exercise
40. respiratory
Problems
Resp. muscle weak
Lungs not as elastic
Decrease strength to
cough and clear airway
Dyspnea
Interventions
Don't cover chest with
heavy linens
Turn q 2 hours
Elevate HOB
Encourage activity
May need O2
