Why All the Talk About Aging? – Part 1

Aging is becoming a hot topic in healthcare today. The reason? The US population is getting older by the year, so that by 2060, those who are aged 65 and above will total around 98 million, more than double their number today (46 million).

Caregivers must, therefore, expect to care for more elderly clients in the future, and so the discussion about aging should be a welcome topic. Caregivers must be aware of what changes are expected as a person ages so they can effectively care for older clients and report troubling observations that do not coincide with normal aging.

Here are some of the most basic changes brought about by old age, and what they mean for caregivers.

1. Eyes

Beginning at age 40, the lens of the eyes become less flexible and it can be harder for clients to focus on near objects. Night vision and vision sharpness are also poorer, and glare becomes a problem.

Caregiver alert: Older people will have difficulty reading small print, like newspapers and text messages. If you notice that they tend to hold the book or paper they are reading farther away, it may be time to have their eyes checked. If a client already has prescription glasses, keep them within their reach at all times. Vision changes can also affect driving, so it is good to follow the doctor's advice regarding driving privileges.

2. Hearing

Age-related hearing loss develops slowly over the years. Older people have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds. They are able to hear the sound of a human voice, but can have trouble understanding the words. Because they hear poorly, they may also start to speak louder.

Caregiver alert: Older people may seem to not be paying attention to what their caregiver is saying, but in truth, they are likely just hard of hearing. If clients start to speak more loudly, or tend to touch their ear or lean closer when someone is talking to them, they could be having trouble hearing. It may help to reduce background noise and face clients directly when speaking to them. Keep in mind that they may not be able to hear fire alarms, so report any client hearing difficulty to the supervisor immediately.

3. Bones

Aging causes bones to become brittle as they lose minerals, such as calcium, that make the bones hard and strong.

Caregiver alert: Brittle bones easily break or fracture, so caregivers must avoid client falls at all costs. One wrong move can cause serious injuries, disability, and even death. Follow correct procedures for transferring and transporting clients. Make sure that their homes have grab bars installed and are free of hazards. Take them for walks, as exercise helps prevent bone loss.

4. Muscles

Older people lose muscle mass starting at age 30, and by age 65, muscle loss begins to speed up.

Caregiver alert: Older people have weaker muscles, move slower, and their muscles tire easily. Older clients should be encouraged to perform exercises and eat protein-rich foods to keep their muscles from aging too quickly. They must also have rest periods in between activities.

5. Skin

The skin becomes thinner and less elastic in advanced age, and it also becomes slower to repair itself. The skin loses collagen, or the substance that makes skin younger-looking.

Caregiver alert: The skin sags and wrinkles, and age spots appear in old age. Other than being concerned about their appearance, older people are likely to have skin tears from turning and transferring procedures, so avoid pulling them in bed. Medical tape can also cause skin injury, so it is important to be extra gentle when removing the tape from their skin. Wounds in older people also tend to heal more slowly.

To properly nourish aging skin, you must pump up the client's vegetable and fruit intake. You must also avoid using harsh soaps on their skin and make sure to apply moisturizer regularly, especially during cold weather.

There are many physical changes that can be expected to happen as we age, and the earlier caregivers become aware of these changes, the more prepared they will be in caring effectively for older people.