Chapter 2: Common Chronic Health Conditions Associated With Aging 3 Contact Hours
By: Fayron Epps, PhD, RN Learning objectives Describe the emotional effects of coping with age-related physiological changes. Discuss cancer screening and prevention in the older adult. Course overview The demographic changes of the United States have created an urgent need for more healthcare professionals educated in the care of older adults. By the year 2050, the U.S. Census Bureau projects that 89 million Americans will be 65 years of age or older. In fact, older adults will represent 20% of the U.S. population by 2030 (Administration on Aging [AoA], 2015). According to the AoA, adults age 65 and older will outnumber children 5 years of age and younger in the years to come (AoA, 2015). Greater numbers of older adults are living for longer periods with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and fragility. Treatment for this population accounts for 66% of the country’s health care budget (Gaudette, Tysinger, Cassil, & Goldman, 2015). Therefore, it is pertinent for healthcare professionals to discover and learn effective strategies to respond to the needs of older adults and promote healthy aging. This course is designed to assist healthcare professionals in encouraging, teaching, and guiding older adults with chronic conditions to practice healthy lifestyles. This course explores common chronic conditions associated with aging, and discusses how healthcare professionals can help older adults manage Emotional effects of aging Life is full of transitions that must be made as health, abilities, connections, and environment change. For older adults, these transitions are usually related to losses rather than gains. Greater dependence replaces independence, and disabilities outweigh ability. Losses can reflect the loss of relationships or people, ability or roles previously held, or possessions. A chronic disease often will cause a loss of ability, such as visual impairment resulting in the loss of driving ability. For an older adult, the role of healthy behaviors, maintaining good physical and mental health, and developing good coping skills cannot be overstressed (Matz-Costa, Carr, McNamara, & James, 2016). Older adults cope with and adapt to losses differently. Some focus on remaining abilities and specific skills that can improve function. Others focus on the negative aspects of the loss itself, with self-blame, wishful thinking, and self-pity. Some use the avoidance method – denying that anything is wrong. Coping mechanisms develop by experiencing stress and learning useful ways to react to the stress. Coping mechanisms tend to remain stable throughout adult life. However, coping mechanisms that might have worked in the past, may not continue to work for an older adult patient who is attempting to adapt to multiple losses and chronic conditions. Paul and Margaret Baltes created a developmental model for successful aging and adaptation after studying how older adults cope with losses: the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Model (SOC model). This model is based on the principle that successful aging is a process involving three components: selection, optimization, and compensation. Selection refers to the restriction in the quantity and variety
Identify common chronic conditions associated with the aging process. Describe normal cognitive changes associated with aging. Explain the stages of Alzheimer’s disease and its diagnosis. these conditions and enhance health. Included is a look at the emotional effects of coping with loss, disability, and chronic conditions. Depression and bereavement are described, along with the stages of grief and methods of distinguishing among them. Because the incidence of cancer increases with age, preventive cancer screening and prevention guidelines for older adults are presented. Prevention, treatment of, and coping with such common problems as hearing loss, hypertension, and incontinence are also discussed. Because stroke, arthritis, and osteoporosis all have the potential to negatively affect functional status, these conditions are also reviewed to help promote healthy aging. It is rare for an older adult to live a long life without any of the concerns presented in this course. Memory problems are discussed, including differentiating between normal aging changes and cognitive impairment. By taking preventive measures and practicing positive health habits, fewer older adults will face these issues. The information presented in this course is designed to help healthcare professionals guide older adults to a healthy lifestyle.
COMMON CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH AGING
of everyday activities due to decreased functional abilities. The process of selection implies that individuals will choose to participate in activities that motivate them and match their resources, skills, and abilities (Baltes & Baltes, 1990). Optimization refers to the tendency to make the most of remaining personal strengths and abilities while engaging in leisure and life pursuits. Thus, although the number and variety of life pursuits are decreased from various losses, it is possible to feel a sense of satisfaction with life and aging. Compensation is the use of positive coping methods, social and environmental adaptation, and adaptive devices to compensate for abilities that are lost due to the aging process. These adaptations enable older adults to participate in life pursuits that are meaningful to them. The SOC model portrays a lifelong process within which creative strategies for adapting to changing personal tasks and resource challenges are implemented. An example of this model follows: Mr. K is 76 years old. He is a lifelong golfer and hiker living on the west coast of Florida. Since retiring, he takes pride in his physical shape, playing 18 holes of golf three times per week without using an electric cart and hiking on the weekends. Over time, arthritis in his hips has resulted in increasing discomfort, and he can no longer keep up with his golf mates or hiking partner. He has decided to put away his pride and start using an electric golf cart to continue playing the game he so loves. He has also decided to go biking in the parks rather than hike.
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Book Code: PTNY3622B
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