KIN 123 1st Edition Lecture 17 Chapter 17 The Challenge of Aging Normal process of development that occurs throughout life Generating vitality as you age o Biological aging the normal progressive irreversible changes to one s body that begin at birth and continue until death o Psychological and social aging more abrupt changes in circumstances and emotion o Successful aging requires preparation What happens as you age o Characteristics associated with aging are not due to aging at all Result of neglect and abuse of our bodies and minds Life enhancing measures Age Proofing o Challenge your mind Older adults who stay mentally active have a lower risk of developing dementia o Develop physical fitness Enhances both psychological and physical health o Eat wisely Eat a varied diet full of nutrient rich foods o Maintain a healthy weight o Control drinking and overdependence on medications o Don t smoke o Schedule screenings and physical examinations to detect treatable diseases o Recognize and reduce stress Dealing with the changes of aging o Planning for social changes Changing roles and relationships Major feature of life Increased leisure time Many people do not know how to enjoy their free time The economics of retirement Financial planning should begin early in life Adapting to Physical Changes o Hearing loss o Vision changes o Arthritis o Menopause o Osteoporosis Handling Psychological and Mental Changes o Dementia Severe and significant brain deterioration in early individuals These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute o Grief Dealing with grief and mourning Aging is associated with loss o Depression Unresolved grief can lead to depression a common problem in older adults Aging and Life Expectancy o Life expectancy Average length of time we can expect to live In 2006 life expectancy for the total population was 78 1 years Those who reach age 65 can expect to live even longer 18 years or more longer Women have longer life expectancy than men o America s aging minority People 65 and over are a large minority of American population Over 37 3 million people About 12 of the total population in 2006 Expected to double by 2030 Social Security benefits 90 of total income for one third of Americans over age 65 Family and Community resources for older adults o Governmental aid and policies Social security Medicare Pays about 30 of the medical costs of older Americans Medicaid o Health care for older adults Gerontologists Geriatricians Considering options for end of life care o Home care o Hospital based palliative care Focuses on controlling pain and relieving suffering by caring for the physical psychological spiritual and existential needs of the patient o Hospice programs Palliative care Completing an Advanced Directive o Any statement made by a competent person about choices for medical treatment should he or she become unable to make such decisions or communicate them later o Two forms Living will Health care proxy Planning for Death o Making a will A legal instrument expressing a person s intentions and wishes for the disposition of his or her property after death Becoming an Organ Donor o o o Each day about 77 people receive an organ transplant while another 19 people on the waiting list die because not enough organs are available Nearly 110 000 Americans were waiting for organ transplants as of July 2010 Uniform Donor Card Driver s license designation