native elder caregiver curriculum necc: 1.1 normal changes caring for our elders: 1.1 normal changes
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Holistic perspective: Growing Older through the Seasons of Life Focus on a
holistic perspective of the process of growing older Biologically Spiritually Socially Emotionally
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Normal Age-Related Changes
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Normal to have changes in all cells of the body As cells “get older”,
then body systems get older… then WE GET OLDER
Cells are the building blocks of the body
“Normal” Age-Related Changes
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Each body system works “in cooperation” with all other body systems
Each body system is made up of cells, tissues, & organs specific to that system
The “bottom line” or “common denominator” is the CELL …
CELLs are the “Building Blocks” for tissues, organs, systems of the body
Cells are the “Building Blocks” of the Human Body
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Cell
What Happens to the Cells?
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Two “general theories” of biological / physical aging (there are many theories, these are just 2 general ideas)
# 1: Our cells go through a lot of injuries and damage over a lifetimeCells get damaged & “used up” “wear & tear” over time
General Theories of Aging Continued
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# 2: Our genes program the rate and changes of aging over a lifetimeCells are “pre-programmed” for how
long they will last Once the programmed time is
finished, the cell is finished
Expected Changes
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Nervous System Decrease in number of
nerve cells Slower response time
Expected Changes
Sleep Patterns Sleep less Take longer to fall
asleep Wake more
frequently during the night
Awake earlier in the morning
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Expected Changes
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Cardiovascular System Hard to separate the “expected
changes” from “heart disease”… BUT Overall, there is:
Increase in stiffening of arteries and heart muscle
Decreased responsiveness to nerve impulses
Slower reflex control of heart rate & blood pressure
Expected Changes
Pulmonary System (Lungs & airways) Less elasticity of lungs Stiffening of the chest
wall More resistance to air
flow Lower oxygen levels in
bloodstreamCaring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes
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Expected Changes
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Kidneys
Decrease in:sizeblood flow filtering rate
Expected Changes: Kidneys continued
Decrease in:
number of nephrons or filtering units
ability to concentrate urineability to eliminate medications from the body
ability to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance
ability to recognize being thirstyCaring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes
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Expected Changes
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Bladder Increase in:
Frequency of urinating (“going often”)
Urgency (“have to go!”)Night time urination (“up at night”)
Incontinence is not “normal” aging
Expected Changes
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Digestive SystemMouth
Increased loss of tooth enamel, dentin, teeth
Decreased sense of smell and taste
Dry mouth
Expected Changes
Digestive Stomach & Intestines
Slower stomach emptying & digestion
Constipation related to decrease in mobility, fluid intake and or diet factors
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Expected Changes
DigestiveLiver
Decreased blood flowDecreased ability to metabolize (“get rid of”) medications in system
GallbladderIncrease in gall stones
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Expected Changes
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Muscles Decrease in muscle
“bulk” Decrease in muscle
strength Decrease in lean body
massWe become “fluffier”
Expected Changes
Good News for Muscles! We keep the
ability to regenerate muscle tissue!
Strength training can prevent muscle loss!
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Expected Changes
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BONES Loss of bone tissue Decreased strength
of bone More brittle bones Decreased
minerals deposited in bones
Expected Changes
Both men & women lose bone tissue… but Women lose more bone Women have faster bone
loss Loss of height due to
curving & changes in the spine
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Expected Changes
JOINTS Cartilage becomes
more rigid & fragile Decreased range of
motion in jointsDue to changes in muscles & ligaments
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Expected Changes
JOINTS Increased
osteoporosisIncrease in fractures
Decreased heightChanges in spine
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Expected Changes
Knee joints are very often
affected in elders
&can limit walking
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Expected Changes
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Skin Becomes dry, thinner,
wrinkled More sensitive to
ultraviolet radiation (sun)
Decrease in blood vessels to skin layers
Decrease in elasticity
Expected Changes
SKIN Increased risk for irritation & infection Slower wound healing ability Decreased ability for the body to
regulate its own temperature Danger of heat stroke & hypothermia
Decreased sense of touch & pressure
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Expected Changes
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Immune System Slower wound healing
(cuts, scratches, surgical wounds, etc)
Decreased ability to fight infections Decrease in “T” cell
activity Altered “B” cell activity
Expected Changes
Immune System Increased risk for bacterial infectionsEspecially lungs, urinary tract, skin
Increase in autoantibodies risk for “autoimmune” diseases
Decreased ability to fight infections
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Expected Changes
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Stress Response Adaptation to stress is weakened
Difficult to keep “balance”
Expected Changes
Reproductive System: Women
Menopause age around 51.4 years (on average)
Reduced estrogen related to increase risk for osteoporosis & coronary artery disease
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Expected Changes
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Reproductive System: Men Decreased reproductive function
but does not totally cease Increased number of defective
sperm & decreased sperm motility Decreased testosterone levels Increased time for erection Increased enlargement of
prostate gland with difficulty urinating
Expected Changes
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Blood System Decreased iron levels
can be related to anemia in elders
Decreased lymphocyte function related to decrease in immune system response