As you see in Chapter 4, falls are a major concern with respect to the well-being of older adults. Consider a situation in which an older adult you know well lives alone in a small apartment. What are 5 design features you would want to see in that apartment in order to reduce the chances that the older person would sustain a serious fall?
“Those who think they have no
time for bodily exercise will sooner
or later have to find time for
illness.”
Edward Stanley
1826-1893
AGEFEED
1. Total number of cosmetic procedure: 4.2 million
2. Number of invasive cosmetic surgeries: 400,000
3. Number of facelifts or eyelifts: 180,000
4. Number of Botox ® treatments: 1.7 million; average cost:
$397
5. Number of filler injections: 927,000; average cost: $669
6. Percent of all procedures by 55+ adults: 23%
7. Average cost of facelift: $7655
8. Increase in yearly number of procedures: 50,000
9. Reasons for plastic surgery: Re-entering the dating scene.
10. Newest trend in plastic surgery: The “Daddy-do-over”
#top10facts
Plastic surgery is big business for U.S. adults 55 and older. Check out
these 2018 facts!
“Exposome” of
aging and the
skin
Photoaging:
Effect on the
Skin
Changes in the hands reflect alterations in the skin as well as
nails.
BMI and
body type
Aerobic
• 150 minutes of moderate activity per week
• No less than 10 minutes for each session
Resistance
• Each major muscle group 2-3 days per week
• 2-4 sets of each exercise
• Previously sedentary should start with light
intensity
Diets to help minimizing
bone loss include:
• Protein (e.g. eggs, quinoa, cottage cheese,
tuna, oat)
• Calcium (e.g. almonds, kale, broccoli,
cheese, tofu, sesame seed)
• Vitamin D (milk)
• Magnesium (bananas)
• Certain types of nuts (walnuts, Brazil nuts)
• Potatoes
• Carotenoids (carrots, squash, and apricots)
Effects of aging on the joints
Best
exercises
for
reducing
joint
damage
Yoga
Pilates
Resistance training
Stretching
Proper
workstation to
avoid joint
damage
Wearable
technology
• Gaining popularity among older
adults
• Requires internal motivation
• Enhanced use with social
support
• Maintain high
physical functioning
throughout life
• However, they are a
self-selected group
“Age is not a barrier to fitness.”
Dr. Charles Eugster
Dr. Charles Eugster
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/16/sports/how-this-95-year-old-gymnast-stays-young-can-be-
lesson-us-all/
Poorer health Decreased mobility
Current use of
hormone
replacement
therapy
Being overweight History of falls Heart disease
The endocrine system includes a complex set of structures that produce hormones
via feedback loops involving the body’s organs.
Circadian oscillation
Rhythm
dampened and
shifted with aging
Changes in circadian rhythms occur due to alterations in the
hormone melatonin, released by the pineal gland. Note that
these changes contribute to alterations in sleep cycles.
Estrogen
replacement
therapy
• Initial studies showed support
• 2002- warnings of increased risk
of blood clots and cancer
• 2015- UK issued report
documenting risks and benefits
• Locally applied estrogen can
offset dryness and pain
associated with sexual activity
• Alternatives include exercise,
quitting smoking, lowering
cholesterol and having one
alcoholic drink per day
(preferably wine)
C E N T R A L N E R V O U S S Y S T E M
S L E E P
T E M P E R AT U R E C O N T R O L
Age-
related
declines
Factors
that
promote
decline
Plasticity
Factors
that
promote
plasticity
Disuse
Sedentary life
style
Poor diet
Environmental
toxins (including
alcohol)
Mental engagement
Physical exercise
Diet
PASA- front-back compensation
HAROLD- hemisphere compensation
CRUNCH- general compensation
Factors that promote
decline can be offset
by those that can
promote plasticity
across the adult years.
White matter
hyperintensities
• Related to the extent of brain
atrophy and some measures of
cognitive functioning
• Exact roles in normal aging and
disease are as yet unclear.
Avoid sedentary lifestyle
Exercise early in the day
Don’t nap during the day
Avoid reading late at night on e-readers or mobile devices
Manage depression and anxiety
Effects of
presbyopia
on vision
Normal vision The same scene as viewed by a person with cataract
13.30%
11.80%
13.00%
18.10%
17.10%
Other
Hispanic
Black
White
All
Prevalence Rates of Cataracts by Race (2010)
• Affects about 8% of adults 40-85
years of age
• Fourth most common form of
blindness worldwide
• Prevention through good eye health
• Beta carotene
• Glasses that protect from blue
and UV light
Age-related
hearing loss
Metabolic
presbycusis
Sensory
presbycusis
Exposure to noise can
accelerate age-
related changes in
hearing due to
presbyopia
Communication
strategies for
talking to older
adults
carefullyEnunciate
as if person isn’t there or is a childDon’t talk
contextProvide
positive and patientRemain
voice pitch lowKeep
gum while talkingDon’t chew
background noiseMinimize
while speaking to personLook
Communication
strategies for
talking to older
adults
• Enunciate carefully
• Don’t talk as if the person isn’t there or is a
child
• Provide context
• Remain positive and patient
• Keep voice pitch low
• Don’t chew gum while talking
• Minimize background noise
• Look while speaking to a person
Practical fall
prevention
strategies
• Exercise
• Eyeglasses
• Prosthetic aid
• Shower chair or bath bench
• Sit while grooming
• Have sturdy stepstools if needed in kitchen
• Keep the cell phone handy
• Stability training
Exercises to
reduce fall
risk
Functional training in
control of core bodily
muscles involved in posture
and balance.
Smell
Some form of dysfunction:
13%- 60-69 year
39%- 80+
Trouble detecting
Smoke- 20%
Natural gas- 31%
Poorest taste for:
Sour
Bitter
Most enjoyment of:
Sweet
Salty
Taste
Pain in
older
adults
Can increase
risk of falling
Appearance
BODY BUILD
Summary of exercise recommendations from AHA-ACSM
Mobility
VITAL BODILY FUNCTIONS
Master athletes
Incontinence in women
BODILY CONTROL SYSTEMS
Photograph showing gray matter and white matter in the brain
Healthy sleep habits for older adults
SENSATION AND PERCEPTION
Presbyopia
ARMD
Exposure to noise
Communication strategies for talking to older adults
