Understanding the perspectives of Aging

Aging

• Aging is genetically determined but profoundly affected by a person's environment and choices.
• Prioritizing wellness during young adulthood gives you control over the physical and mental aspects of aging.

Perspectives on Aging

• Aging can be due to genetic, social, and environmental factors.
• Mindset also plays a key role.
• Aging involves a reduction in the body's potential to repair and regenerate tissue.
• Getting older leads to physical deterioration.
• Physical deteriation can be delayed by good diet, exercise, sleep, and other wellness behaviors.
• Aging involves cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur naturally over time.
• Cognitive decline can occur.
• Normal cognitive changes are mild in comparison to neurodegenerative disorders.
• As a result of aging Major life changes occur such as: retirement, changes in income, deaths in the family, moving.
• These changes happen quickly and sometimes randomly.
• These changes can result in deterioration of self-identity and social functioning.
• A more positive light is placed on viewing aging.
• Optimizing wellness from early years shows a greater chance to thrive during old age.

Life-Enhancing Measures

• Education level and mental activity throughout life improve psychological, cognitive, and physical health.
• Reading, puzzles, and learning languages are examples of life-enhancing measures.
• Someone who smokes can expect to live 10 years less than a non-smoker (on average).
• CSEP recommends 7-8 hours of sleep per night for those aged 65+.
• CSEP recommends good sleep hygiene practices, rituals, and a conducive environment.
• Obesity increases the risk for other chronic diseases.
• Daily (or almost daily) drinking peaks at age 55+ (2018 data).
• There are recommendations and guidelines made for low-risk drinking among people 65+
• Opioid and benzodiazepine overuse is common in the aging population.
• Early detection is crucial.
• Wear and tear on the body provides this.
• Cognitive decline can worsen in older adults.

Dealing with the Changes of Aging

• Retirement can be the start of a part-time job, full-time job, total retirement, or an opportunity for leisure pursuits.
• Retirement, although desirable, can also be a threat to prestige, purpose, and self-respect.
• Those who have activities outside of work usually have an easier time adjusting.
• Physical changes affect one's ability to interact with others, which may lead to depression or a sense of isolation.
• The risk for dementia doubles for older adults with mild hearing loss.
• Hearing aids are one solution, but are often resisted against.
• Joint inflammation causes chronic pain, swelling, and loss of mobility.
• Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common.
• It is a progressive disease that causes breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.
• Prevention and treatment include exercise, weight management, and avoiding heavy or repetitive use of joints.
• Bones become dangerously thin and fragile.
• Other symptoms include loss of height, stooped posture, hip/back pain, and breathing problems.
• Women are at greater risk.
• Bone mineral density testing is the most accurate way to diagnose.

Psychological and Cognitive Changes: Dementia

• Dementia is a set of symptoms associated with cognitive decline (memory, language, attention, problem-solving, decision-making).
• Evaluation by a healthcare provider is important to treat or ease some of the symptoms.
• More than half a million people in Canada are living with dementia.
• This number is supposed to double by 2030.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

• AD is a progressive brain disorder characterized by the gradual accumulation of proteins (beta-amyloid + tau) in the brain.
• These proteins plus inflammation eventually destroy brain cells.
• This leads to impairment of memory, cognition, and other brain functions and ultimately, the person loses the ability to walk, speak, and even swallow.
• AD is irreversible and eventually fatal.
• Individuals live an average of 8 years after their symptoms are clearly identified.
• Risk factors include genes (APOE type 2 diabetes, high BP, high cholesterol, and obesity).

Vascular Dementia/Vascular Cognitive Impairment

• Refers to cognitive changes that occur due to cerebrovascular disease.
• Cerebrovascular disease is a key factor.
• This accounts for 10% of all dementia diagnoses.
• It is often seen after a stroke (due to brain damage from impaired blood flow to the brain).

Lewy-Body Dementia

• This is a progressive brain disorder where Lewy-bodies build up in areas of the brain, causing changes in behavior, cognition, and movement.
• One difference from this is that those with LBD experience visual hallucinations.

Life Expectancy

• Life expectancy is the statistical average of the ages at death of a group of people over a certain period.
• Generally, women have a higher life expectancy than men.
• It has increased due to medical and technological advances.
• Maximum life span is the maximum number of years a species is expected to live
• It is the period of your life when we are generally healthy and free from chronic or serious disease.

Reimagining Aging

• Generally, the view of aging is.
• Studies show that our childhood and older years are the happiest times of our lives.
• Older people have often figured out what is most important to them and have stopped worrying about the rest.

Death and Dying

• Involves social and spiritual dimensions, not just physical aspects.
• Most individuals need some sort of care during our last days, months, or even years.
• It is important to be aware of different options to make informed and appropriate choices.

End-of-Life Care Options & Decisions

• A lot of individuals prefer a familiar setting, usually around family/friends.
• Care requires skills, medical knowledge, and physical strength.
• There are also professional at-home caregivers, but they are expensive and often not covered under benefits.
• There is also a collaborative, team-based approach to prevent and relieve suffering patients with a life-threatening illness.
  • The goal is to focus on controlling pain and relieving suffering by caring for the patient's physical, psychological, and spiritual needs.
  • It maintains the highest quality of life (QOL) while managing treatment and other needs.
• For patients with a life-limiting illness that is at an advanced stage.
• Hospice care is usually chosen when a cure is no longer likely possible.
• It specifically focuses on the period closest to death.
• There is clinician-administered medical assistance when a physician provides or administers lethal drugs (at the patients request) with the understanding that the patients plans to end their life.
  • There is also self-administered assistance in dying when one prescribes a drug that the person can administer themselves
  • Eligibility criteria must be met to do this.