Transcript Trading Ages

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© 2008 SCAN Health Plan. All Rights Reserved.
Goals:
o Foster insight into the life of an older adult
o Sensitize participants to the concerns and
perspectives of older adults
o Encourage understanding of the challenges
and dilemmas encountered by older adults
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What we know about AGING
o It occurs at different rates
o Experience more losses in a shorter period of
time
o It increases susceptibility to many conditions
People over 65 are a diverse group
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Meet a Few SCAN Centenarians!!
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At 86,
GreatGrandmother
Marjorie Newlin
pumps iron
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Appearances can be deceiving
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What is our point?
Seniors today are a lot different than they
were just a generation ago. Like the rest of
us, they want to remain active and
involved, independent and self-reliant as
much as their health permits.
Most of all, seniors want to be relevant.
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Right Now…
The “Age Wave” is
ushering in a dramatic shift
in the population of
individuals age 65 and older
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Art sculpture crafted by SCAN
member Daniel Gluck, 72
Older Adult Fast Facts
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The population of 65+
will increase by 15
million in 10 years,
from 40 million in 2010
to 55 million in 2020
The population of 85+
will increase from 5.7
million in 2010 to 6.6
million in 2020
Aging in Arizona
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In 2008 13% of
Arizonans were 65+
8.7% lived below the
poverty level
By 2020 older
Arizonans will make
up 1/4 of our
population
By 2020 Arizona’s 85+
population will
increase by 141%
General Facts
o Older adults experience a succession of losses,
both gradual and sudden
o More than 1/2 of all Americans 65+ have some
type of disability; 1/3 of those 65+ have severe
disabilities
Falls affect 1/3 of Americans 60+
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General Health Facts
o Hospital admits due to adverse drug reactions are
6 times greater than the general population
o Eighty percent of people who are 65 and older live
with at least one chronic disease
o Depression recurrence rates are as high as 40%
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Trading Ages
As we age there are changes, both physical
and cognitive, and experiences that we all
share.
Today, we are going to focus on “walking in
the shoes” of seniors in order to gain a better
understanding and perspective on what it
means to experience aging.
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Hearing Experience
Types of Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Loss
Sound waves reach the inner ear,
but aren’t transmitted to the brain
Conductive
Sound waves are not transmitted to
inner ear and are perceived as muffled
or faint
Presbycusis
Loss of high frequency sounds (most
common)
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The “Unfair” Hearing Test
Hearing Loss Tips
o Get person’s attention
o Ask if you are clearly heard
o Face the individual. Speak slightly
louder, but don’t shout
o
Do not cover your mouth
o
Speak at normal rate, lower pitch, enunciate
o
Reduce background noise
o Reword if necessary
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Vision Experience
Common Changes in Vision
Decrease in…
o ability to judge distances
o ability to discriminate between certain colors
o ability to function in low light levels and adapt to
darkness
o ability to adapt to glare
o sharpness of vision (especially details and fine
print)
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Medical Conditions of the Eye
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Macular Degeneration
Glaucoma
Diabetic Retinopathy
Cataracts
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Helpful Tips-Vision
Well lit, glare free waiting areas,
hallways, and rooms.
Clearly stated instructions
Environment
-- Color contrast for doorway/walls
-- Mark the edge of steps
-- Directional signs with large type
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Disability Experience
Memory Experience
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Betty
Edward
Helen
James
Catherine
William
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William
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Betty
2
Helen
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Catherine
3
Edward
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James
Communication with
Confused Older Adults
o Get their attention-eye/touch
o Identify yourself-use older person’s name
frequently
o Be clear about expectations-specific/short
o Give feeling you assume they can and do what
you expect
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Review: Helpful Tips
Vision
Control glare and have
adequate lighting
Use large print documents, books, puzzles
Use color contrast in printed materials
Hearing
Reduce background noise - radio, TV, music
Slow down and lower pitch
Allow individual to see lips and
expressions
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Memory Impairment
Moderate pace
Keep statements/questions simple
Provide written materials to reinforce verbal info
Remember it’s important to
change your behavior
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On the Phone
Avoid non-essential phone
communication with the severely
impaired
Enunciate
Lower pitch of voice
Avoid talking down
Reduce background noise by
asking the member to lower
their TV or radio volume
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Senior Sensitivity Means
o Being aware of clues to a senior’s cognitive and
physical limitations
o Being patient, listening carefully, using empathy
statements
o Promoting independence
o Asking yourself if your work processes pass the
senior sensitivity test
o Remembering the senior cannot change their
impairment- YOU must change YOUR behavior
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