Ageism and influence of Ageism in elderly population

Ageism and influence of Ageism in elderly population

1. Ageism & influence of Ageism

2. AGESIM Refers to negative feeling that directed toward an older person simply on account of age. Ageism is stereotyping of and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age.

3. The influence of ageism The perception of someone as being old or geriatric is a social construct that can differ greatly among cultures and social groups. The age of 65 years, which is the typical age when individuals in the United States become eligible for Medicare, is probably the most common age identified by medical researchers and social policy advocates when categorizing individuals as old.

4. In reality, perceiving a specific individual as old is often more associated with the person’s physical appearance and health status than his or her chronological age. An 80-year-old who is independent, fit, and healthy may not be described as old by those around her, whereas a 60-year-old who is unfit, has multiple chronic health problems, and needs help with daily activities that are physically challenging is likely to be perceived and described as old.

5. Age bias, a negative perception of older adults based on their age alone, is endemic in Western culture, including health care settings. Kite and Johnson,in a meta-analysis of 43 studies on age bias, concluded that attitudes toward older people are more negative than toward younger people. The subtle negative attitudes toward older adults that are often identified among health care practitioners become more obvious and influential when old age is combined with a perception of the patient as having low motivation, poor compliance, or poor prognosis.

6. In the hectic and often stressful acute care setting, nurses admit that older patients are often marginalized with their needs given lower priority, and less time spent making a human connection with the patient. Typically, physical therapists are drawn to the profession by a strong desire to help people in a very tangible and interactive way, often expressing low interest in patients they perceive as having low potential for improvement.

7. Hausdorff et al., in a study examining the influence of ageist messages on older adults, found significant dif- ferences in gait parameters (gait speed and swing time) in community-dwelling older adults exposed to negative versus positive reinforcement of age stereotypes during a 30-minute interaction.

8. Physical changes Less strength and endurance Five senses slowly weaken Bones become brittle stiff and weak Mobility is weakened

9. Mental changes Mind can still continue to learn Dementia In worst cases, Alzheimer’s disease

10. Sociological changes Loss of spouse Mandatory retirement Lack of involvement in community activities Loss of role identification Loneliness

11. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR AGED

12. THE SENIOR CITENZN’S CLUB Seniors can avail discount at drug stores, public transportation, movie houses, restaurants etc.

13. Homes for the aged Provide needs of these people through donations from other people who care for the elders.

14. WHAT HAPPENS TO US AS WE AGE?

15. Trillions of cells in our body are constantly changing,some get destroyed or die at the same time new cells are formed every minute , this accounts to our body growth.

16. WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR BRAIN AS WE AGE?

17. Some brain regions shrink(frontal lobe, hippocampus) , while others remain stable as we age. Aging of brain impairs the healthy ability of the brain to encode or decode new memories and facts , while processing speed and reflexes decline.

18. WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR SKIN AND HAIR AS WE AGE?

19. This part of aging is visible and very prominent . our skin begins to develop wrinkles and dark spots(normally tagged as age spot also). Hair becomes thinner than normal and the changes in hair color from gray initially to turning white eventually marks aging.

20. WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR BONES AS WE AGE?

21. The friction between the joints increases (that is the lubrication is reduced) causing pain while moving . the bones also become porous and there is a gradual yet constant loss of density and strength. Bones are reservoirs of minerals like calcium and phosphorus, but during the process of aging there is typical depletion of these minerals making bones fragile and weak.

22. WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR HEARING AND VISION AS WE AGE?

23. The retinas become thinner than usual in aging eyes The sharpness that should be achieved in viewing objects at a distance is impaired Objects placed at a distance appear blurred. Eye problems like cataract and glaucoma are common as you age. The eardrums thicken , making hearing more difficult than usual.

24. WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR HEART AS WE AGE?

25. As we age the blood vessels lose their elasticity and the fatty deposition on the artery walls makes arteries smaller or rather narrow the space for the blood flowing through it. All these factors make the heart work harder than usual to pump the blood to other parts of the body. The result is hypertension, cardiac arrest , arterioseclerosis and other serious disorders.

26. Growing old can be beautiful

27. Aging process - causes Cellular changes Cellular multiplication slows down with age. The rate of formation of T-lymphocytes of the immune system decreases with age. This makes the body susceptible to diseases. Thus, immune breakdown triggers the human aging process, as the body is now vulnerable to a large number of diseases.

28. 2. Genetic factor The genes associated with the mechanism of programmed cell death or a poptosis also affects aging in individuals.

29. 3. Environmental factors Environmental stress associated with exposure to excessive heat and light trigger the activity of aging genes. Constant exposure to toxins and poisons accentuate the aging process. Poor oxygen conditions and malnutrition are also responsible for early aging.

30. 4. Unhealthy lifestyle overconsumption of alcohol Heavy smoking Lack of exercise Inadequate rest or sleep Mental stress

31. Embracing old age with a positive attitude shall always makes you fell young and for this reason, Mark Twain has wisely spoken, Age is an issue of mind over matter. if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter” 