Older Adults in Canada - Demographics and Ageing

Older Adults in Canada

• Aging demographics in Canada are changing, with a growing proportion of older adults.
• Older adults are the core demographic for healthcare, but few healthcare professionals are specialized in gerontological nursing.
• 60% of medical-surgical patients are older adults, and 46% of critical care patients are older adults.

Ageing in Canada & Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

• Factors like income, social support, education, physical environment, personal health, coping skills, healthy child development, employment, culture, gender, and biology/genetics play a major role in aging populations.

Terminology

• Older Adult is a general term.
• Societal markers like the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security are included.
• Age classifications include Young Old (65-74), Middle Old (74-84), and Old-Old (85+). Centenarians are a subcategory of Old-Old (aged 100+).

Older Adults in Canada - Demographics

• Graph 1 and 2 display the proportion of children under 14 years old and people aged 65 and older in Canada, showing the projected increase of the senior proportion in comparison to young population.
• Life expectancy varies by location in Canada; British Columbia has the highest, while parts of the territories and Newfoundland & Labrador have the lowest. Female life expectancy is higher than male's. This trend exists where women often live alone after widowhood and men often marry again.

Gerontological Nursing

• Specialization in gerontological nursing is needed due to the increasing older adult population.
• The Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association (CGNA) promotes the development of gerontological nursing competencies and standards of practice.
• The CGNA has created standards including relational care, ethical care, evidenced informed care, aesthetic care, safe care, and socio-politically engaged care.

Practice Activities

• Students will be divided into groups.
• Discuss how older people are portrayed in popular media (TV, movies, commercials).
• Participants will define aging and share what needs to be done to improve the quality of life for older adults.

Theories on Aging

• Biological theories are used to understand the process of aging.
• Stochastic theories (error-based) explain aging as the accumulation of errors over time in DNA/RNA.
• Non-stochastic theories (programmed) suggest aging occurs at the cellular level through a pre-programmed process.

Physiological Aging

• Each body system undergoes significant changes with aging.
• Slides mention Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal/Urological, Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, and Neurological systems.

Communicating with Older Adults

• Ageism is prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypical thinking directed towards older adults.
• Elderspeak is a form of communication with older adults where simplified language and tones are used that are non-judgemental and thoughtful in expression.

Sensory Impairments

• Sensory impairments are a common communication concern with older adults. Hearing (sensorineural and conductive) and visual impairments are discussed in detail.
• Strategies to improve hearing and vision include hearing aids, assistive devices, cochlear implants, and low vision aids like telescopes, electronic magnification.

Neurological Disorders

• Neurological impairments (like aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive impairment) can have major effects on reception, perception, and articulation.
• Ways to interact with older patients with neurological impairments emphasized careful communication, observation of body language, and patient sensitivity.

Reminiscing

• Reminiscing activities that encourage recalling past experiences, cultivates a sense of security, improves social relationships, and can help with depression.

Evolving Case Study

• Students will develop their patient's profile in one note, following outlined instructions. Information includes patient demographics, medical history, current diagnoses, allergies, code status, and communication considerations.