Hmns10085 mod6
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This document defines different categories of older adulthood and discusses issues pertaining to aging populations. It notes that the percentage of Canadians over age 65 has been increasing and is projected to reach 18.9% by 2021 due to longer life expectancies and lower birth rates. The document also discusses health problems that are more common in older adults such as mobility issues, vision problems, and memory loss. Additionally, it examines the needs of older adults for care at home or in long-term care facilities, caregiver stress, and rights of older adults in institutional settings. Income sources for older Canadians such as Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan and Guaranteed Income Supplement are also outlined. Vulnerable groups facing higher risks of poverty
Hmns10085 mod6
- 1. Issues in Human Services (HMNS 10085) Module 6: Issues Pertaining to Older Adults
- 2. Defining Older Adulthood: • Very complex • Statistics Canada defines a senior citizen as, – “a person age 65 years or older, who is eligible to collect full pension benefits.” • Chronological age (years) • Social age (social expectation for 65 year old adults to retire
- 3. Different Categories of Older Adulthood • 3 different age groups: – “Young old” - 65 to 70 years » 53% are women – “Middle old” - 75 to 84 years » 60% are women – “Old old” - 85+ years » 70% are women
- 4. Aging Population • Means that older adults, as a group, are growing more than the growth of the population of all Canadians • Percentage of the Canadian population that was 65 years or older: – – – – 1981 - 9.6% 1991 - 11.4% 2001 - 12.5% 2005 - 13.1% • Projected that 18.9% of the Canadian population will be 65 years or older in 2021
- 5. Reasons for Aging Population: • Longer life expectancy - more older adults • The beginning of the baby boom generation have started to reach the age of 65 years (in 2011). • Lowered birth rate - fewer babies being born
- 6. Ageism: • “Any attitude, action or institutional structure that subordinates or oppresses a person or group on the basis of age.” (Hick, 2006, p. 252). • Western society > aging is feared > places premium importance on productivity >when one stops working in the paid labour force, rely on fixed income >viewed as not productive but as burdensome • Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982. >prohibited to discriminate based on age
- 7. Health Problems of Aging: • 65-74 age group: – Most remain in good health – 1/3 report some level of pain or discomfort • 75+ years: – More likely to suffer from pain - acute pain from injury or illness – Chronic pain lingering months to years – Eg. arthritic conditions, diabetes, heart disease – May lead to depression
- 8. Health Problems of Aging: • Over the age of 75 years, adults experience the following problems at higher rates: – Mobility – Vision – Memory
- 9. Health Problems of Aging: • Incidence of long term, debilitating terminals illness have increased with increased life expectancy: – Cancer – Alzheimers • Loss of independence and the fear of it • Myth > older adults all get dementia > only 4% of people aged 75+ have dementia
- 10. Need for Care: At Home • Need assistance with many of the activities they do daily: – Eg. Meal preparation Everyday housework Heavy household chores Attending appointments Financial managing Moving around the house Nursing care
- 11. Need for Care: At Home • Large proportion do not tend to receive the help they need. • 41% of older adults 65+ either received help but needed more or received no help at all. – Mobility – 42% of those aged 65+ received no help or received help but needed more. – Vision – 46.3% of those aged 65+ received no help or received help but needed more. – Memory – 50.8% of those aged 65+ received no help or received help but needed more.
- 12. Who Are Unpaid Caregivers? • Mostly women (57%) – May be an older woman themselves (16% are 65+ years, 8% are 75+ years). • Women provide assistance with personal care (bathing, toileting, dressing) – 60% of women vs. 30% of men > tasks inside the house – 33% of women vs. 53% of men > tasks outside the house • Personal care tasks and care management tasks >more frequent, daily usually
- 13. Caregivers’ Other Responsibilities: • Many caregivers provide this care while trying to maintain other responsibilities – – – – 43% of caregivers are between the ages of 45-54 Children at home 76% are married 57% are employed > only 1/3rd retired • Tends to be long term – Provide care for > 5 years – 10% providing care for > 10 yrs
- 14. Caregiver Stress • Higher level of symptoms of distress: – Depression – Anxiety – Headaches -Feeling Demoralized -Insomnia -Irritability • Can be mitigated by: – Positive interpretation of caregiving – Getting some relief from caregiving, occasionally • Considered one of the causes of Elder Abuse & Neglect.
- 15. Relocation to Long Term Care • Due to a combination of risk factors: – Experiencing difficulty doing activities of daily living – Having a form of dementia – Recent hospitalization/health deterioration – Being 85+ – Living alone
- 16. Impacts of Move to Long Term Care • Stress • Loss of culture • Loss of community – LGBTQ • May feel relief
- 17. Impacts of Move to Long Term Care • • • • Change in habits and routines Less contact with family and friends Loss of clubs or organizations Greater difficulty doing hobbies previously enjoyed.
- 18. Rights of Older Adults:Violations • Abuse in institutional settings • Direct - individual resident is target of abuse or neglect • Systemic - policies or procedures that limit the rights or result in the direct abuse or neglect of residents (eg. restraints)
- 19. Rights of Older Adults: Violations: • Some signs or symptoms of abuse: – – – – – – Dehydration/malnourishment Untreated medical issues Missing aids (eg. hearing aids) or property Unexplained injuries Use of restraints, if frequent & to replace care Decisions made for the resident - not able to participate in decision-making – Lack of sufficient medical reasons for medication given – Family having difficulty contacting resident
- 20. Rights of Older Adults: Long Term Care Homes Act, 2007 • To improve the quality of care in Long-Term Care: • Steps to improve care: – The Home is “primarily the home of its residents & is to be operated so that it is a place where they may live with dignity & in security, safety & comfort, and have their physical, psychological, social, spiritual & cultural needs adequately met.” (Mead, 2010). – Bill of rights which includes the right not to be neglected, to have access to their personal health records – Goal of care -> independence to the greatest extent possible
- 21. Rights of Older Adults: Long Term Care Homes Act, 2007 • Steps to improve care: – Limits to restraints- resident safety – Respect of choices and lifestyle – Provide opportunity to have private meetings with partners or another person – Provide social & recreational activities > includes those who not able to leave room – Enforcement of these rights by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
- 22. Loss of Significant Relationships • Acute grief - up to ~ 6 months – Physical symptoms - headaches - dizziness… – Psychological symptoms - intense sadness - longing & yearning for deceased - Feelings of hopelessness…. --> Becomes less acute & intense - may last years
- 23. Loss of Significant Relationships • Major disruption to the life of the surviving spouse – Finding new & positive meaning in life – Developing new social roles – Relationships with friends may change – Financial loss – Housing – Transportation – Need for increased social support
- 24. Income of Older Adults: • Sources of income (beginning at age 65): – Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement – Canada Pension Plan – Guaranteed Annual Income Supplement (GAINS) (Ontario) – Over two thirds of older adults rely on OAS & CPP as main source of income – the remainder > private pension or one sponsored by an employer. – small number of older adults also have RRSPs
- 25. Income of Older Adults • Has improved > success of combined public & private retirement income system. – Seniors with low income: 1985 > 14.7% 2004 > 7.3% • Due to: – More people becoming eligible for Canada Pension Plan – Maturation of CPP - 1990s > more retirees earning full benefits – More women in the labour force
- 26. Groups of Older Adults Vulnerable to Experiencing Poverty: • Women: – 22% of all older adult women experience poverty vs. 10% of older adult men (City of Hamilton) • Recent newcomers (1991+): – 27% vs. 17% of older adults on the whole, experience poverty • Visible minorities: – 20% & 23% (Ontario) vs. 17% of older adults experience poverty • Aboriginal: – 25% vs. 17% of older adults experience poverty
- 27. Readings: 1. Mayo, S., Wetselaar, R., Bakht, L. & Camplin, B. (2011). Profile of Vulnerable Seniors in Hamilton: Summary Report. Hamilton: Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton • http://www.sprc.hamilton.on.ca/Reports/pdf/SPRC_Seni ors_Report_2011_Summary.pdf 2. Walters, Joan (2012). “The Silver Tsunami”. In The Hamilton Spectator, January 14, 2012. Hamilton: • http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/654486--the-silver-t