Perspective on Aging:

Aging is a Developmental Process

Prepared by:
MARIA DORINA A. AGUIRRE, RN, MAN
 Introduction
• “Is Life What You Make It”,explored this with those who face
challenging circumstances outside of their control, such as debilitating
disease, chronic illness, or significant loss of a loved one.
• “Everything in your life is a reflection of a decision you have made”
may miss the mark—such statements may not always be true or
appropriate as we reflect upon loss, debilitating disease, or chronic
illness, for example. tremendous value in attempting to maintain a
positive mindset, making the most of any situation, striving to press
forward. In addition, there are several circumstances that may occur in
life that are not the result of our own decision-making and do not feel
that anyone should ever be made to feel weak or inadequate if they feel
their joy has been stolen, or a situation has gotten the best of them.
 5 Basic stages of aging in Older Adults:

• Independence
• Interdependence
• Dependency
• Crisis management
• End of life.
 Independence

• Seniors at this stage are completely self-reliant

• They live in their own homes, apartments or retirement
communities.
• They don't need support to manage the tasks of daily
living household chores and errands, bathing, dressing,
medications, cooking or finances — and require little or
no support from family members to manage any
chronic disease or disabilities
 Interdependence

• Seniors at this stage of aging begin to need some support

from their family caregivers.
• They may notice the initial stages of memory loss.
• Their changing physical needs may result in their having
increased difficulty with the tasks of daily living or with
management of their own health.
 Dependency

• A senior at this stage is no longer able to safely live on his

or her own without daily support.
• He or she may still be able to age in place, with in-home
nursing or other community-based services like Meals on
Wheels deliveries or with daily visits from a family
caregiver.
• But the likelihood is that a fully dependent senior will
need residential retirement care in the very near future.
 Crisis management/ Infirmity

• At this stage of aging, your loved one's survival is

dependent upon close medical support.
• He or she may still be mentally aware, but worsening
chronic illness or advanced age is taking its toll.
• A senior at this stage may be in the moderate to late
stages of dementia and require residential memory care.
 End of Life

• People at this stage of life are approaching the end. But

that doesn't mean that they feel sad — especially if they
continue to have close emotional and spiritual support
from their loved ones, neighbors and friends.
 What is natural aging process?

Aging is a gradual, continuous process of natural change

that begins in early adulthood. During early middle age,
many bodily functions begin to gradually decline. People do
not become old or elderly at any specific age. Traditionally,
age 65 has been designated as the beginning of old age.
 What is meant by the aging process?

• Ageing or aging (see spelling differences) is the process

of becoming older
• In humans, aging represents the accumulation of changes
in a human being over time and can encompass by:
• Physical change
• Psychological change
• Social change
 Physical change

• is a process of gradual change over time that is most

noticeable in older people. We reach our peak physical
functioning and ability in our 20's and early 30's. These
are the years that our bodies are the strongest, our
senses are the keenest, and our minds are the sharpest.
• skin becomes less elastic,dry,increase sensitivity in
temperature (cold)
• spots and wrinkles become noticeable around age 40 or
50 and skin becomes less elastic. Wrinkles and sagging
skin are most common in the arms, face and neck.
 e s
a ng
c h
a l
gic
olo
y ch
P s
 Psychological changes

• Most elderly people seems to be most vulnerable to

psychological dysfunction when they experience change.

• Affective function refers to the mood, emotions (such as

happiness, sadness, fear, pain, anger, and confusion).

• Cognitive function refers to memory, learning, and

intelligence.

• Cognitive and affective functioning affects the person’s

self-esteem.
 Psychosocial problems

• Poor adjustment to role • Aggressive behavior

changes • Loneliness
• Poor adjustment to lifestyle • Isolation
changes • Problems with sexuality
• Family relationship problems
• Elderly abuse
• Grief
• Withdrawing and having a
• Low self-esteem negative attitude toward life
• Anxiety and depression in general
Role of the gerontological nurse to promote psychosocial adaptation
 Role of the gerontological nurse to promote psychosocial
adaptation

1.The psychosocial • Encourage use of the

assessment is an mind in problem solving.
essential component of the • Encourage use of
overall health assessment numbers and
2. Nursing intervention to calculations.
enhance mental alertness • Encourage creative
• Allow the client to do as activities (e.g. painting,
many tasks for himself as story telling).
possible. • Encourage the
discovery of new talents
and abilities.
3. Nursing intervention when caring for a client with a short-term memory loss

• Identify yourself each time there is an interaction with the

client.
• Give instructions in simple, direct terms.
• Repeat instructions several times.
• Explain every thing that is happening, even if the client does
not seem to understand.
• Perform only one activity at a time.
• Report any sudden confusion.
4.Nursing intervention when teaching an older person new information

• Assess current knowledge.

• Evaluate for any visual or hearing deficit. Make sure the
hearing aid is working or glasses are available, if
indicated.
• Determine the person's ability to learn.
• Identify any language barrier.
• Determine if the information to be taught is thought to be
important or relevant to the elderly person.
 5. Nursing role to increased self-esteem

• Develop a trusting relationship

• Treat the elderly with dignity and respect
• Allow sufficient time for the performance of daily
activities of self-care
• Encourage verbalization
• Practice active listening
 cont.

• Give positive reinforcement for progress.

• Use reminiscence therapy (encourage the elderly to
recall or remember past events).
• Be alert for opportunities to include the patient in
decision making.
• Use verbal and non verbal communication
• Encourage socialization.
6. Nursing intervention that foster positive personality traits in elderly

–Accept the elderly.

–Identify the positive characteristic of each elderly.
–Encourage verbalization.
–Reward positive behavior.
–Avoid a judgmental attitude.
 7. Adjusting to retirement

It is easier if activities that will become prominent

after retirement are begun during the working
years.

Therefore, adjustments to retirement are

influenced by pre-retirement plan and engaging
in other activities before withdrawing completely
from their work.
 8. Find a new role

Such as a grandparent role. The grandparent

role is generally one that brings great satisfaction
and contentment.
 9. Facilitating maximum independence

• Make sure that the person has access to all necessary

assistive devices and personal accessories.
• Allow enough time for the person to perform tasks at
her or his own place
• Make sure that the environment has been adapted as
much as possible to compensate for sensory losses and
other functional impairments.
10. Intervention that promotes social support

• Use interventions to deal with hearing impairments and

other communication barriers.
• Encourage participation in group activities.
• For people in wheelchairs, especially those who cannot
move independently, position the chairs in a way that
promotes social interaction.
• For nursing home residents, plan tables and room
arrangements in such a way that social relationships are
fostered
Soci
a l Cha
ng e s
 Social Change
• The social changes that come with life are change in life style,
loss of other family members, neighbors and friends.

• The main social problems, which confront elderly persons, are:

- social isolation
- finance
- loneliness
- rejection and loss of purpose in life.
- deterioration in housing standard and poor nutritional level.
 Retirement

• A change in work role comes with retirement.

• It changes the way time is managed and daily activities are

carried out.

• Retirement alters identity, status, financial problem, lack of

self-satisfaction and self-esteem and sometimes friendships.
 Widowhood

• A common event that alters family life for the aged is the death
of a spouse.

• The spousal role composed of many sub roles, such as

companion, sexual partner, confidante, cook, house-keeping,
and care provider.

• Loss of spouse is a highly stressful experience. Death of a

spouse affects more women than men because most older men
will marry again .
 Loneliness

• Loneliness is the feeling of emotional isolation, being

locked inside oneself and unable to obtain the warmth
and comfort from others.

• Any loss that creates a deficit in intimacy and inner

personal relationships can lead to loneliness.
 Role change (role reversal)

• Numerous role changes occur with the aging process, but

the transitions expected by most elders are related to the
work role and the role of spouse or partner.
 Multiple losses

• Aging is associated with major physical, psychological and

sociologic losses as well as a reduced ability to adapt and
compensate for stressors.
 Examples of some losses

• Loss of job (retirement) • loss of significant person

• Loss of status • Loss of housing
• Change role • Decreased the ability to
• Loss related to normal adapt and compensate for
age-related changes stressors
• Decreased income • Limitations impose as a
• Increase expenditure on result of multiple chronic
medical services diseases
 Awareness of Mortality
• Widowhood, death of friends, and the recognition of
declining functions make older person more aware of the
reality of their own death.

• Attitudes about death vary with aging.

• The elderly tend to think and talk about death, but they
find the prospect of death less frightening.