Wilk: Sorrentino's Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 5th Edition
Chapter 43: Caring for Older Persons
Chapter 43
Caring for Older Persons
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Older Persons in Canada
(1 of 3)
People are living longer than ever before.
Active aging is becoming the norm.
Older workers are increasingly important to
the Canadian economy.
Older persons of the future are likely to have
higher levels of education, better health, and
longer life expectancy.
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Slide 2
Older Persons in Canada
(2 of 3)
Older people are more ethnoculturally diverse
today.
They are likely to have smaller and more
diverse families with few or no children.
They are active during retirement.
See textbook box: Respecting Diversity: Older
Persons From Different Cultures
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Older Persons in Canada
(3 of 3)
Gerontology is the study of the aging process.
Geriatrics is a branch of medicine that
provides care for older persons.
Aging or growing old is normal:
Normal changes occur in body structure and
function.
Emotional and social changes also occur.
Changes are usually gradual.
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Caring For Older Clients
Media and mainstream North American culture
overvalues youth.
Ageism
The media stereotypes older people (as being not
intelligent, slow, grouchy, unproductive).
Older people can make decisions for themselves.
Be respectful and maintain their dignity.
Older clients often live with more than one
chronic condition.
See textbook box: Providing Compassionate Care:
Supporting Older Clients
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Slide 5
Emotional and Social Changes
Physical reminders of aging can threaten self-
esteem and independence.
Retirement is a reward for a lifetime of work.
It usually means reduced income.
Social relationships change throughout life.
Some older people may feel isolated and lonely
because of separation or distance from their
children or peers.
Estate and Health Care Planning
Children may become caregivers.
Death of a partner is common, or death of pet.
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Depression in Older Persons
Depression is not an inevitable part of aging.
However, many older persons experience
depression because of life changes:
Loss of friends
Loss of long-term pets or loved ones
Persistent health challenges
Loss of independence
Increased isolation
Depression in older persons may go
unrecognized because symptoms may be
mistaken for normal signs of aging.
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Physical Changes (1 of 12)
Physical changes happen to everyone.
The rate and degree of change vary with
each person.
Influencing factors include diet, general
health, exercise, stress, environment, and
heredity.
Changes are often gradual.
Quality of life does not have to decline.
Normal aging does not mean loss of health.
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Physical Changes (2 of 12)
The integumentary system:
The skin loses its elasticity, strength, and fatty
tissue layer.
Secretions from oil and sweat glands decrease.
Blood vessels decrease in number.
Brown spots appear on the skin.
Loss of the skin’s fatty tissue layer makes the
person more sensitive to cold.
Dry skin causes itching, and skin is easily
damaged.
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Physical Changes (3 of 12)
The integumentary system:
Nails become thick and tough.
Feet usually have poor circulation.
The skin has fewer nerve endings.
White or grey hair is common.
Hair loss occurs in men.
Hair thins on men and women.
Facial hair may occur in women.
Hair is drier, from decreases in scalp oils.
Skin disorders increase with age.
Be mindful of cultural considerations.
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Physical Changes (4 of 12)
The musculoskeletal system:
Muscle cells decrease in number.
Muscles atrophy and decrease in strength.
Bones lose minerals, especially calcium.
Bones lose strength, become brittle, and break
easily.
Vertebrae shorten.
Joints become stiff and painful.
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Physical Changes (5 of 12)
The musculoskeletal system:
Mobility decreases.
Activity, exercise, and diet help prevent bone loss
and loss of muscle strength.
Bones of older persons can break easily.
• Ensure safety when turning or moving your client.
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Physical Changes (6 of 12)
The nervous system:
Nerve cells are lost.
Nerve conduction and reflexes slow.
Blood flow to the brain is reduced.
Changes occur in brain cells.
Sleep patterns change.
Touch and sensitivity to pain and pressure are
reduced.
Sensing heat and cold are reduced.
Sense of taste and smell dull.
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Physical Changes (7 of 12)
The circulatory system
The heart muscle weakens.
Arteries narrow and are less elastic.
Sometimes circulatory changes are severe:
• Rest is needed during the day.
• Overexertion is avoided.
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Physical Changes (8 of 12)
The respiratory system
Respiratory muscles weaken.
Dyspnea (painful difficult breathing) may develop.
Lung tissue becomes less elastic.
The person may lack the strength to cough and
clear the airway of secretions.
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Physical Changes (9 of 12)
The digestive system
Salivary glands produce less saliva.
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is a risk.
Sense of taste and smell become duller.
Secretion of digestive juices decreases.
Loss of teeth and ill-fitting dentures cause chewing
problems.
Peristalsis decreases.
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Physical Changes (10 of 12)
The urinary system
Kidney function decreases.
The kidneys atrophy.
Blood flow to the kidneys is reduced.
The ureters, bladder, and urethra lose tone and
elasticity.
Bladder muscles weaken (nocturia).
Bladder size decreases.
In men, the prostate gland enlarges.
Urinary tract infections are a risk.
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Physical Changes (11 of 12)
The reproductive system
In men, the hormone testosterone decreases:
• Affects strength, sperm production, and reproductive
tissues
• An erection takes longer
• The phase between erection and orgasm is longer
• Orgasm is less forceful than when younger
• Erections are lost quickly
• The time between erections is longer
• Mental and physical fatigue, overeating and excessive
drinking can affect ability to have an erection
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Physical Changes (12 of 12)
Menopause occurs in women:
Menstruation stops, usually around 50 years of
age.
Woman can no longer have children.
Female hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
decrease.
The uterus, vagina, and genitalia atrophy.
Vaginal walls thin and there is vaginal dryness.
Arousal takes longer.
Orgasm is less intense.
The pre-excitement state returns more quickly.
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The Older Person and Sexuality
Love, affection, and intimacy do not
disappear with aging.
It is normal for older persons to be sexual.
Promote ways to meet the client’s sexual
needs.
See textbook Box 43.2: Respecting and Promoting
the Client’s Sexuality
See textbook box: Focus on Long-Term Care:
Residents’ Sexual Rights
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