native elder caregiver curriculum necc: 1.1 normal changes caring for our elders: 1.1 normal changes

NATIVE ELDER CAREGIVER CURRICULUMNECC: 1.1 NORMAL CHANGES

Caring for Our Elders: 1.1 Normal Changes

Holistic perspective: Growing Older through the Seasons of Life Focus on a

holistic perspective of the process of growing older Biologically Spiritually Socially Emotionally

Caring for Our Elders 1.1 Normal Age-Related Changes

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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

Relationships Involved in “Building a Body”


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Cells are the “Building Blocks” of the Human Body


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Cell

Body Systems Work Together


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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


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native elder caregiver curriculum necc: 1.1 normal changes caring for our elders: 1.1 normal changes

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