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Recognizing and Responding to

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Most rapid growth is among people 85 with the majority being females ... advocacy for those who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Recognizing and Responding to


1
  • Recognizing and Responding to
  • Older Adult Behavior

2
Learning objectives purpose of this seminar
Through this session you will be able to
  • Recognize characteristics of normal aging
  • Identify behaviors that may indicate problems
  • Know techniques for dealing with older adults
  • Identify resources

3
Demographics The Graying of America
  • Fastest growing population group is older
    Americans
  • Most rapid growth is among people 85 with the
    majority being females
  • In 2005 the first of the Baby Boomer generation
    turned 60
  • By 2030, one of every five Americans will be 65
  • Nearly 25 of US households (more than 22
    million) have at least one adult who has
    provided care for an elderly person at some
    point in the previous 12 months

4
Aging in America
  • Impact on communities and families
  • Myths

5
What is normal aging?
  • Differs for every individual
  • Aging does not cause illness illness does not
    cause aging
  • Normal slowing down is normal and most, but not
    all, older adults experience decline in senses
    (taste, touch, smell, hearing, sight)

6
What is normal aging? 2
  • However not true for every older adult and the
    changes are caused by disease not aging
  • Vision problems in people in children and teens
  • Hearing loss caused by loud noises
  • Sports injuries at any age
  • Myths about aging

7
Secret to Happiness
  • Something to do
  • Someone to love
  • Something to look forward to
  • What happens to an older adult
  • with chronic illness?

8
Behaviors
  • Personality does not change as we age unless
    there is dementia or Alzheimers disease or some
    disease that affects the brain
  • Whatever we are we are just older versions of
    ourselves magnified through stress and illness
  • People who are easy going when they are younger
    and more likely to be that way as they age
  • People who dont like change or who are
    pessimistic and demanding are likely to become
    even more so as they age and lose their health
    and independence

9
What is dementia?
  • Dementia is a loss of mental skills that affects
    daily life caused by disease
  • Can cause problems with memory and how well a
    person can think and plan.
  • Usually dementia gets worse over time.
  • Progression is different for each person.
  • Some people stay the same for years. Others lose
    skills quickly.
  • Not curable or reversible medications help slow
    symptoms and can help control some of the
    behaviors

10
Dementia and Alzheimers www.alz.org
  • Alzheimers disease is a form of dementia about
    60 of people with dementia have Alzheimers
    disease
  • Not everyone who has dementia has Alzheimers but
    everyone with Alzheimers has dementia
  • Age 85 person is at 50 risk of developing
    Alzheimers
  • Dementia symptom can be experienced by people
    with Parkinsons disease, result from strokes,
    and other illnesses

11
10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease
  • Memory loss.
  • Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
  • Problems with language.
  • Disorientation to time and place.
  • Poor or decreased judgment.
  • Problems with abstract thinking.
  • Misplacing things.
  • Changes in mood or behavior.
  • Changes in personality.
  • Loss of initiative.

12
Emotions depends on the basic personality and
health
  • Fear
  • Denial
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of self image, identify and purpose
  • Loss and grief from death of spouse, adult
    children, friends
  • Loneliness
  • Suspicious and paranoid

13
Evaluation for Heath and Safety
  • Medical evaluation and ongoing medical care by a
    qualified physician who is board certified as a
    Geriatrician or is an internist with training and
    experience with geriatrics
  • You are doing pretty good for your age is not
    an acceptable statement
  • It is not okay to be depressed at any age
  • At the least get a second opinion and consider
    changing to a physician specializing in treating
    older adults
  • Chau Pham, DO, Geriatrician, Keller
  • Gerontology Assessment Planning Clinic (GAP) at
    University of North Texas Health Science Center
    in Fort Worth 817-735-2200

14
Causes of usual or difficult behavior how to
deal with it
  • Medical problems
  • Medication interactions especially
    polypharmacology
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Dehydration
  • Depression and anxiety chronic or short term
    due to illness, grief, or fear of losing
    independence

15
Staying active
  • Many older adults are active, healthy, and eager
    to learn something new
  • Ask what they want
  • Ask them about interests they have had in the
    past
  • Help them find activities that are related to
    what they have done in the past

16
Staying active, 2
  • Many are intimidated and insecure about new
    technology remind them that the fastest growing
    group of users for computers and internet are
    older adults
  • Really listen and assure them that they can learn
    new skills
  • Give options for print or online form

17
Responding
  • Empathize walk a mile in their shoes
  • Observe behavior
  • What is changing in their normal behavior
  • Listen
  • Focus on health concerns
  • Try to avoid telling them what they should do

18
Tips for communicating
  • Show basic courtesy and treat them with dignity
    and respect.
  • Value their age and wisdom
  • How do they want to be addressed? Dont assume
    older persons want to be called by first name
    ask them
  • Good morning, Mr. Jones?
  • Shall I address you as Mrs. Smith or Emily?
  • Use normal tone of voice increase volume only if
    they dont respond just because they are old
    does not mean they are deaf

19
Tips for communicating, 2
  • Ask dont tell How can I help you today?
    What do you want?
  • Ask questions in a normal tone of voice avoid
    baby talk.
  • Help them identify what they want
  • Stay aware of what they may need and make
    appropriate referral to family members and
    community providers such as the senior center

20
Tips for communicating, 3
  • Ask about family members who may need to be
    contacted for help or to discuss what you observe
  • Encourage them to stay active by walking, going
    to senior center, staying in touch with family
  • Tell them that you have noticed CHANGES and
    encourage them to see a doctor because I want
    you to have the best health care possible

21
Special needs and emergencies
  • Encourage anyone with special medical needs to
    let the local fire department know
  • Education your peers and first responders

22
Who is a caregiver?Anyone who helps an older
adult in these and many other ways
   
  • Driving to and from doctor and other health care
    appointments
  • Helping manage medications
  • Communicating with health care professionals
  • Assisting someone to pay their bills
  • Helping someone clean their home or arranging
    for housecleaning
  • Assisting someone or arranging for home repairs
  • Helping arrange for home health care or hospice
    services

? _____________________? Caregiver Continuum
23
Elder care and independence
  • The health of older adults can be unpredictable
    with many older adults remaining healthy
  • A slip, fall or diagnosis of a chronic illness
    can quickly and dramatically change the life of
    an entire family
  • As health declines older adults move toward
    dependence

24
Caregiving is a family affair
  • 80 of all eldercare is provided by family
    members
  • One of every four households provides help to an
    older person
  • Most caregivers
  • Are reluctant to ask for or use formal help
  • Continue to provide care with little support
  • May experience consequences to their own health
    and well being
  • Use formal services only as a last resort


25
The vast majority of long-term care is provided
informally and privately, at no public cost
  • 2003 Updated information for working caregivers
  • 56 are women
  • 44 are men
  • Source National Alliance for Caregiving and the
    Center for Productive Aging (2003), Sons at Work
    Balancing Employment and Eldercare

American Society on Aging, 2000
26
Elder care and the workforce
  • 62 of elder caregivers are working part-time or
    full-time
  • Up to 25 of employees report having caregiver
    responsibilities
  • The average family caregiver is a middle aged
    female
  • In the last 3-5 years the number of sons,
    husbands, and other male relatives providing
    elder care has grown significantly
  • 40 or 7 to 10 million adult children are caring
    for their parents from a long distance
  • 44 of Americans between the ages of 45 and 55
    have aging parents or in-laws as well as children
    under 21
  • American business is losing between 11 and 29
    billion per year because of the direct and
    indirect costs of elder caregiving

27
Caregivers checklist
  • Assess the situation What are the needs?
  • Thorough recent medical examination
  • Functional assessment by an occupational
    therapist, social worker, home health, or other
    (ask doctor to prescribe)
  • Complete Family Caregiver Assessment
  • Use Long Distance Assessment, as needed
  • Prioritize needs
  • Organize important information
  • Find out about and use resources
  • Take care of yourself

28
Help older adults by
  • Helping maintain independence and
    self-sufficiency
  • Reducing risk
  • Using health care, family and community support
  • Increasing knowledge of illness or disability
  • Reinforcing a sense of productivity and
    involvement
  • Helping make choices to determine the course of
    his/her own life
  • Being supportive
  • Bringing a positive attitude

29
Resources For Caregivers
  • Call
  • 2-1-1 throughout Texas. Provides information and
    access to health and human service information
    for all ages
  • 1-800-252-9240 to find local Texas Area Agency on
    Aging
  • 1-800-677-1116 - Elder Care Locator to find help
    throughout the United States
  • Online
  • Family Caregivers Online www.familycaregiversonlin
    e.net
  • Online education, resources, links, frequently
    asked questions
  • Benefits Check-up www.benefitscheckup.org for an
    online way to determine benefits for which
    someone qualifies.
  • To schedule a caregiver presentation for your
    church, business, library, civic group, or other
    location, call your local area agency on aging or
    send an email from www.familycaregiversonline.net

30
What Assistance is Available Through the Area
Agency on Aging (AAA)?
  • Services for persons age 60 and older
  • Benefits counseling
  • Ombudsman - advocacy for those who live in
    nursing homes and assisted living facilities
  • Home delivered meals
  • Congregate meals
  • Light housekeeping
  • Caregiver Services
  • Information and referral
  • Caregiver education and training
  • Caregiver respite
  • Caregiver support coordination
  • Case management
  • Transportation assistance

31
  • Written by Zanda Hilger, M. Ed., LPC, Family
    Caregiver Education, Area Agency on Aging,
    Revised 2009.
  • Go to www.familycaregiversonline.net for more
    information about this and
  • Other training programs internet links
    frequently asked caregiver questions legal
    forms phone numbers fact sheets and more
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