Health and Aging PDF

Health and Aging 1  Objectives ▪ Define aging ▪ Describe biologic, psychological, social, legal, and functional age ▪ Discuss the biological and psychosocial theories of aging ▪ Describe the major physiological changes that occur due to the aging process ▪ Describe the maj...

Health and Aging 1  Objectives ▪ Define aging ▪ Describe biologic, psychological, social, legal, and functional age ▪ Discuss the biological and psychosocial theories of aging ▪ Describe the major physiological changes that occur due to the aging process ▪ Describe the major psychological changes that occur due to the aging process ▪ Define the various types of death 2 What is Aging? Aging is the characteristic pattern of normal life changes that occur as humans get older; generally a decline in body function and physiological changes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShmemfpkVLQ 3 Aging in Canada Living in an aging society: ❖ Older adults are the fastest-growing age group in Canada; number of seniors ≥ 65 now surpasses the number of children 0-14 ❖ Women comprise a larger percent of Canadian older adult population; life expectancy is 84 compared to 80 for men ❖ Genes contribute only about 30% of rate and ways we age; as much as 50% of physiological decline commonly attributed to aging due to sedentary lifestyle and can be reversed ❖ Reasons for aging Canadian population: - Low fertility rates - Increased life expectancy - Effects of baby boom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7acVX2j3QI Types of Aging How old we are in calendar years measured by time such as Chronological years and months. Relative functioning of our bodies controlled by the Physiological interactions between physical and chemical bodily states. Individual perception of how ‘old’ a person feels, based on Psychological an individual’s behaviour (cognitive/emotional) function. Combination of chronological, physiological, and emotional Functional ages; way we compare to others of similar age. Determined by how people cope with social roles; cultural Social expectations about when major events ‘should’ occur. 5  Categories of Theories on Aging Senescence refers to the phase of old age in which there is much deterioration of body functioning; theories of aging are broadly categorized as follows: Center on the physiologic processes that change with aging; considers Biological how aging manifests at the molecular level in the cells, tissues, and body systems. Focus on changes in behaviour, personality, and attitude as we age; Psychosocial characterized by transitions related to personality or ego development and accompanying challenges associated with various life stages.  Biological: Wear & Tear Wear-and-Tear Theory states that: The human body simply wears out. For instance, High impact activities such as jogging may predispose people to premature bone and joint injuries in later years, particularly in the lower back, hip, and knee areas. The more one abuses the body the faster it will wear out.  Biological: Cellular Theory Cellular Theory states that: At birth we have a static number of usable cells, which are genetically programmed to divide or reproduce a limited number of times. Once these cells reach the end of their reproductive cycle, they begin to die and the organs they make up begin to deteriorate. The rate of deterioration is individual, and the impact of the deterioration depends on the body system affected.  Biological: Autoimmune Theory Autoimmune Theory attributes aging to: The decline of the body’s immune system. Health behaviours like too much stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, inactivity, etc. contribute negatively to fighting disease. The immune system sometimes appears to turn its protective mechanisms inward, attacking a person’s own body. Although autoimmune diseases occur in all age groups, some researchers believe that they increase in frequency and severity with age.  Biological: Genetic Mutation Theory Genetic Mutation Theory proposes that: The number of cells exhibiting unusual or different characteristics increases with age. Proponents of this theory believe that aging is related to the amount of mutational damage within the genes. The greater the mutation, the greater the chance that cells will not function properly, leading to eventual dysfunction of body organs and systems. Psychosocial Biological Stages of Personality Development Theory suggests that personality develops in eight sequential stages with corresponding life development tasks; for example, the eighth phase of “integrity versus despair” is characterized by evaluating life accomplishments; challenges include letting go, accepting care, detachment, and physical and mental decline. Physiological Changes with Age https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSt8aKtpDCA 12  Pyschological Effects of Aging Depression Substance Use Dementia declining health, Drug interaction is A group of disorders that social isolation, common result in progressive brain physical limitations Drug misuse e.g sleeping impairments that pills, tranquilizers, pain interfere with memory medications, laxatives and intellectual Problems remembering, functioning concentrating, and thinking Alcohol increases mental confusion memory problems risk of falls, fractures, accidents 13 Changes in Brain with Aging → Psychological Effects Dementia is a general term used to describe a group of disorders that result in progressive brain impairments that interfere with memory and intellectual functioning. Signs may include (but are not limited to) problems with: ▪ Memory ▪ Attention ▪ Communication ▪ Reasoning, judgment, and problem solving ▪ Visual perception beyond normal age-related changes Comprised of >50 disorders but 60 to 80% of all dementia cases are classified as Alzheimer’s disease; around 10% are vascular in nature. ❖ Around 400,000 Canadians ≥ 40 years are currently living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. ❖ Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive deterioration of mental capacity (nerve cells stop communicating); may lose ability to carry on conversation and respond to the environment around them. ❖ Often avoid social contact because unable to remember how to function; brain can lose capacity to regulate body functions → die of malnutrition, dehydration, infection, or heart failure. ❖ More common in women; by 85 years ~30% of women have it. Death Is the process of decline in body functions resulting in the Dying death of an organism. Is the final cessation of the vital functions and the state in Death which these functions are incapable of being restored. 16 Types of Death End of all vital functions (e.g., heartbeat, Functional respiration). Gradual end of all functions at cellular level (e.g., Cellular metabolic processes) once the heart stops beating. Cardiac Moment when the heart stops beating. End of all brain activity; indicated by absence of Brain electrical activity and lack of reflexes. Moment when the soul, as defined by many Spiritual religions, leaves the body. 17 Considerations when preparing for death Would I prefer to receive or refuse any specific treatments if I were unconscious or incapable of voicing my opinion? Would I like my bodily systems to be kept functioning by extraordinary life-sustaining measures, even though my natural systems had failed? Would I like the province to decide how to distribute my property, or would I rather name the recipients of my estate? Would I like to decide how to handle my funeral arrangements? 18 What Are Advance Directives? Used to specify the kind of medical treatment individuals want in case of a medical crisis Help physicians make decisions about life-extending treatments for terminally ill patients if family members are not available Healthcare proxy: An advance directive that gives someone else the power to make decisions on your behalf Do-not-resuscitate (DNR): Indicates that you do not want to be resuscitated if your heart stops beating Copyright © 2021 by Nelson Education Ltd. Care for the Dying Palliative care is a specialized, compassionate form of health care for people with serious (often terminal) illness who are nearing the end of life; is used to help people feel better, whatever the diagnosis. Services include: ▪ Care co-ordination and consultation ▪ Pain and symptom management ▪ Psychological, social, and/or spiritual needs ▪ Community nursing and rehabilitation services ▪ Home support ▪ Respite for the caregiver ▪ Residential hospice care 20 Care for the Dying Medical Assistance in Dying occurs when an authorized doctor or nurse practitioner provides or administers medication that intentionally brings about a person’s death, at that person’s request Legal in Canada → no longer a criminal offense for a physician to help someone end their life in certain circumstances; physicians must follow criteria established in federal legislation (updated in 2021) Criteria Eligible for health services in BC At least 18 years of age and capable of decision making Made a voluntary request for assistance in dying Given informed consent after being informed of available means Have a grievous and irremediable medical condition 21 It is the denial of death that is partially responsible for people living empty, purposeless lives; for when you live as if you’ll live forever, it becomes too easy to postpone the things you know that you must do. You live your life in preparation for tomorrow or in the remembrance of yesterday—and meanwhile, each today is lost. In contrast, when you fully understand that each day you awaken could be the last you have, you take the time that day to grow, to become more of who you really are, to reach out to other human beings. - Elisabeth Kübler-Ross  Recap Use the terms below to answer questions 1-4 1. The type of death in which all vital functions end. 2. The general term used to describe a group of over 50 disorders that result in progressive brain impairments that interfere with memory and intellectual functioning. 3. The type of age that is determined by your ability to meet cultural expectations. 4. The type of age that is comprised of a combination of chronological, physiological, and emotional ages. 5. The final cessation of the vital functions and the state in which these functions are incapable of being restored. Functional Death Social Dementia 23