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Gerontology: The study of the aging process in all its dimensions.
Geriatrics: The study of medical and social problems and care associated with older adults.
Elderly: an individual past the age of 50 and approaching the later years of life.
Senescence: the process of becoming old, can also refer to the characteristics of old age..
Senior Adult: adults ranging from age 50-79
Eldest Adult:  adults older than 80 years of age
Reminiscence: the act of discussing, thinking, or writing about things that happened in the past.
Terminal Illness:  A state in which an individual faces a medical condition that will end in death within a relatively limited period.

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Generativity occurs when adults decide to pass on learning & share skills with younger generations.
Stagnation occurs when adults focus on personal pursuits and interests

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- Loss of strength, flexibility, and endurance
-Decrease in Functioning of organs
-Changes in visual acuity
-Hearing loss
-Decreased reaction time
-Unsteady gate/decreased sense of balance
- Decreased tactile sensation & proprioception
-Diminished sense of taste & smell
-Loss of Bone Density
-Less restful sleep, more naps
-Stiff Joints
-Increased physical/emotional losses
-Decreased Capacity for recovery

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Major Lifestyle Changes Related to Aging

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Major Lifestyle Changes Related to Aging

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-Adaptation to chronic physical or emotional disorders
-Change in employee or employer role
-Greater amount of leisure time
-Reduction in income
-Change or residence
-Change in parenting roles
-Adaption to loss of spouse/partner, friends, and family
-Development of coping mechanisms to deal with accumulated changes
-Adaption to possibly changes in sexuality
-Reevaluation of self-worth
-Maintenance of self-esteem & independence
-More time for meditation & contemplation of life
-Adaptation to prospect of death

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Financial & Socioeconomic Issues Facing the Older Population

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Financial & Socioeconomic Issues Facing the Older Population

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-Fixed Income: savings, investments, retirement funds, social security
-Some adults may need to continue working past age 65 to maintain financial stability
-Many widowed women live with a lower income due to the loss of of their spouse
-Most older people live in urban areas: housing trends include group homes, shared housing, or retirement communities
-Older minority populations are more likely to face health issues due to living in poverty.
-Different healthcare needs for older males vs. older females
-1/3 of all prescription meds are taken by older adults and may be a cause of increased financial burden.
-Health problems & disabilities increase with advancing age, adding to healthcare costs.

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Necessary Accomplishments:  Balance choices, achieve stability, retire, evaluate life, accept life choices
Virtues:  Renunciation, wisdom, dignity

Integrity is accomplished when the older adult is able to look back on their life's accomplishments and find a sense of meaning or purpose.

Despair happens when the older adult looks back on their life and experiences feelings of regret or that they weren't able to accomplish their goals.

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Aspects of Dying & Nursing Interventions - part 2

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Aspects of Dying & Nursing Interventions - part 2

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Changes in Mental Acuity:
-Provide a sense of security
-Allow family/friends to speak with the patient
-Consider light massage or soothing music
Fatigue & Changes in Sleep Patterns:
-Continue to talk to client
-Hold Patient's hand
-Keep room casually lit
-Avoid disrupting/waking patient when sleeping
Pain:
-Ask client to rate pain on 1-10 scale
-Watch for signs of pain incl. breathing changes, facial expressions, restlessness
-Use comfort measures as appropriate
-Administer medications as prescribed
Congestion in Lungs:
-Raise head of bed
-Position patient for better drainage/breathing
-Keep mouth moist
Skin Changes:
-Maintain comfort
-Use light coverings
-Consider fan to help circulate air
-Use damp, cool washcloth when client is warm or hot to touch
-DO NOT use electric blankets

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Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief, Loss, & Death & Suggestions for the Caregiver

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Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief, Loss, & Death & Suggestions for the Caregiver

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Denial: State of shock or disbelief. "No, not me"
-Answer questions honestly
-Allow person to speak with physician
-Do not argue
Anger: Rage, acting out physically or verbally. "Why me?"
-Listen
-Do not take the client's anger personally
-Do not let yourself become angry
Bargaining: Guilt & Developing Awareness of Illness. "Yes me, but..."
-Try to assist in client's wishes
-Encourage family support
-Offer spiritual assistance from clergy or support groups
Depression: Grief, sadness, loneliness. "Yes, me"
-Be there as a sign of support
-Listen
-Only offer counseling or social service assistance if the client requests it
-Allow the patient to rest
Acceptance: Self reliance & feeling of peace. "Yes me, and it's ok"
-Provide physical care & emotional support
-Do not criticize or be judgmental
-Keep room lit if OK with patient
-Support family members

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Aspects of Dying & Nursing Interventions - part 1

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Aspects of Dying & Nursing Interventions - part 1

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Withdrawal from External Environment:
-Always Identify yourself
-Speak clearly, do not shout
-Allow time for silence
-Use gentle touch
-Provide reassurance
Visions/Hallucinations:
-Do not judge
-Identify yourself & others in the room
-Remain supportive to the clients comments
-Understand family/caregivers may become more distressed than the patient
Loss of Appetite:
-Provide ice chips
-Do not force the patient to eat/drink
-Provide frequent mouth care
-use lip balm on chapped lips
Changes in Bowl/Bladder Function:
-Keep areas clean/dry
-monitor for signs of incontinence, constipation, or impaction
-discuss care options w/ family & physicians
Changes in Vital Signs:
-Do not panic, changes are expected
-Avoid taking routine vital signs, this may upset the patient
-Offer a blanket
-Reposition for comfort
-Apply eye drops as needed for dryness