Realities About Aging
Challenges
There is no fountain of youth, no magic potion to diminish the effects of the aging process. Aging inevitably brings on physical, mental and emotional challenges for the people who are aging as well as the loved ones caring for them. Hearing and vision are almost always affected to some degree, and even a mild infection can have a serious impact on a resident's fragile state of health. Many mental changes are a normal part of the aging process, including decreased memory and slower thinking. Pain from a joint or muscle problem also becomes more frequent. Fear and apprehension about these changes can be reduced by open, honest conversation. And the support of family or friends is very important in several ways:
- to keep the resident engaged in what is going on around the nursing home as well as engaged with his or her family
- to provide valuable information to caregivers and staff about the person's unique characteristics, including family and work history, food preferences and activities they find enjoyable
- to assist caregivers in keeping the resident comfortable
- to alert the staff to any history of falls or wandering
- to help the resident maintain a balance between independence and appropriate risk
Stress
Upon admission to a nursing home, a resident might feel disoriented and stressed over the new environment. Moving at any age is difficult, and sometimes a move to a nursing home may have overtones of finality, or at least semi-permanence.Very few family members admit their loved ones to a nursing home without experiencing feelings of guilt – even if caring for that loved one at home has become an overwhelming task. This stage of life is filled with conflicting emotions, and guilt is a natural part of that. One way to deal with any guilt feelings is to stay involved through regular visits, by getting to know the staff and by acting as an advocate for your loved one.
Working Together Through Angel Care
To help keep communication open between family members and caregivers, Kindred's Angel Care program offers yet another dimension of care. This one-on-one program pairs an Angel Care representative with a resident in order to focus extra attention on the needs of the people we care for.As the Angel Care representative and resident form a special friendship, our commitment to our residents and family members is emphasized. For more information on the Angel Care program, contact the executive director of your nursing home.
As We Age...
Through the efforts of researchers, physicians and other caregivers, we know and understand more about how we age than ever before. Because many of the elderly have multiple health, psychological and emotional issues, it's more difficult to diagnose and treat illnesses. In addition, a longer recovery time makes it difficult to determine if treatments are working.Although this list certainly is not all-inclusive, here are a few effects and risk factors involved in aging:
- Bone density decreases. This is a fact in virtually all women and men from about age 50.
- Risk of falling increases. Each year, over 30% of senior citizens experience falls at home.
- Appetite may decrease. The change in the sense of taste and smell that most people experience as they age may lead to a diminished appetite.
- Risk of dehydration increases. As people age, their ability to sense thirst can lessen, making dehydration more difficult to detect or diagnose.
- Skin becomes more fragile. As we age, our skin becomes less elastic and the layer of fat under our skin decreases.
- Mental status/ability may change. Even senior citizens with no history of Alzheimer's or other dementia experience some normal mental changes as they age, including decreased memory, confusion, or a decline in intellectual function.
- Incontinence problems may develop. Whether through decreased awareness of bodily function or muscle weakness, incontinence occurs often in the elderly.
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