Self-Study Training Module 2Sponsored by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Rural Health and Safety Education Grant: 2010-2012: (Grant # 2010-46100-21841); 2012-2013: (Grant # 2012-46100-20145 )

DEVELOPED BY:Sarah L. Francis PhD, MHS, RD

Assistant Professor/State Nutrition Extension and Outreach SpecialistDepartment of Food Science and Human Nutrition

 Jennifer Margrett, PhD

Associate ProfessorDepartment of Human Development and Family Studies

 Warren D. Franke, PhD

ProfessorDirector, The Exercise Clinic at ISU

Department of Kinesiology  

Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA

 2012

OLDER ADULT OVERVIEW• Demographics

• Misconceptions

• Aging Myths

• Older Adults as Learners

Demographics

The older adult population in the United States is growing and diversifying!

What Comes to Mind? • Senior citizens

• Old people

• Aging

• Older Adults

• Elderly

Misconceptions about Older Adults

• Frail

• Forgetful

• Senile

• Poor health

• Lonely

• Dependent on others

• Grouchy

• Sick

• Unknowing

• Unintelligent

Ageism• Makes it difficult to see older adults as they

actually are

• Isolates the older generation socially

• Spreads the fear of aging

Let’s see how accurately you know the older adult population:

MYTH or REALITY?

MYTH or REALITY?Most older adults are alone and lonely

• Number of close friends throughout a person’s life stays the same

• Reported feelings of loneliness less often than young adults

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?Most older adults are in poor health

• Over 2/3 of those 65+ said they were in good, very good, or excellent health

• 80% of those 85+ carry out all daily activities

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?

Older adults tend to have a slower reaction time than those who are younger.

• As we age, the speed of our reflexes and movements decrease

REALITY

MYTH or REALITY?Older adults are less productive than

younger workers

• Older adults are:o Highly motivatedo Flexible with work scheduleso Reliable & have low rates of absenteeismo Excellent mentors for younger workers

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?

Most older adults have no interest in or capacity for intimate relations

• Good health, not age, is the key to intimate relationships throughout life

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?Most older adults end up in nursing

homes

• Only about 5% of older adults live in a nursing home

• 3 out of 4 Americans will never reside in a nursing home

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?

All five senses tend to decline with aging

• By late adulthood, vision and hearing are almost always impaired.o 9 out of 10 older adults need glasseso 1 out of 3 would benefit from a hearing aid

REALITY

MYTH or REALITY?Physical strength tends to decline in old

age

• Physical strength declines• The lung vital capacity declines

Exercise can counteract and limit the amount of loss in strength

REALITY

MYTH or REALITY?

The majority of older adults feel miserable much of the time

• The majority report high levels of life satisfaction

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?

In general, most older adults are pretty much alike

• Older adults are more diverse than younger adults in:o Life-styleo Incomeo Personality

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?The majority of older adults have incomes

below the poverty level

• 1 in 10 older adults live in poverty • The poverty rate among older adults age 65+

is lower than those under 65 years

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?The majority of older adults are working or

would like to have some kind of work to do

• 1 out of 3 individuals over the age of 75 are involved in volunteer activities

• Most older adults say they are seldom bored

REALITY

MYTH or REALITY?

Older adults are stubborn, set in their ways and don’t like to try new things.

• Over 80% of older consumers are receptive to new products and services

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?

Older adults avoid new technologies

• In 1998, over 25% of computers were purchased by older adults

• Older adults spend more time on the Internet than 12-17 year olds

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?

Playing bingo and cards are the number one and two recreational activities for

seniors

• 27% of older adults attend movies, sports events, clubs, and group events

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?Older adults learn new things at a slower

speed than younger generations

• Thinking processes slow with age• Limited eye sight and hearing loss can decrease the

amount of “information” that travels to the brain.

REALITY

MYTH or REALITY?

When you turn 65, you become a senior citizen

• The least important way individuals age is by chronological age

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?Physical handicaps are the primary factors

limiting the activities of older adults

• 75% say they are healthy enough to carry out their normal daily activities independently

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?Older generations tend to be more religious than younger generations

• People generally keep the same level of religious belief throughout their lives, but there is a trend of religiosity being greater in the older generation than in younger generations

REALITY

MYTH or REALITY?Pain is a natural part of the aging process

“A man goes to the doctor complaining of pain in his right knee. The doctor says to him, “You have to expect this. You

are getting older". To which the man replies, "My other knee is just as old and it doesn't hurt."

MYTH

MYTH or REALITY?The majority of older adults say they feel

irritated or angry most of the time

• Older adults are no more angry or happy than younger adults

MYTH

Older Adults…• Do not become “more” of anything as they age

• Are just as capable as anyone else in completing most activities

• Are happy with their life

• Stay active and busy

The strongest predictor of high life-satisfaction in later life is the perception that

one’s life is purposeful and has a positive evaluation of one’s mental

and physical health.

Older Adults• Diet, exercise, substance-free habits, and

a sense of purpose can:– Slow the effects of aging– Prolong vitality– Prevent or postpone disability

Older Adults as Learners• Older adults spend more than 300 hours

each year in learning endeavors

Older Adults as Learners• Big picture• Need for community• Goal-oriented• Practical• Independent• “Hands-on” approach

Older Adults as Learners• Physical limitations

• Slower pace

• Gain competence and mastery

• Results-oriented

Building Relationships• Show respect

• Take into consideration any physical limitations, but do not overlook what they are still capable of doing

• Interact with older adults continuously to grow more comfortable with them

• Quality of time spent together rather than quantity of time

Building Relationships• Be engaged during time together

• Stay interested in the activity or conversation

• Show concern and empathy when needed

• Treat them as a friend, not as an older adult

Working with Older Adults• Be safe, sensitive, & alert to individual needs

• Dress appropriately

• Be kind and understanding

• Be aware of age-related sensory changes

“The oldest trees often bear the sweetest fruit.”

For more information…• Read Chapter 3 in the LIFE Program

manual

Preparing for Training Workshop• Complete all self-study modules

• Read the entire LIFE Program manual

• Wear loose fitting comfortable clothing. You will be taking part in the exergaming and interactive game activities.

Sources• Carnaham, R. and Parker, S. (2002). Serving seniors: a resource manual for

Missouri libraries. MO: Missouri State Library. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health

Statistics. Health data interactive. www.cdc.gov/nchs/hdi.htm. [November 19, 2010].

• Harris, D.K., Changas, P.S., and Palmore, E.B. (1996). Palmore’s first Facts on Aging Quiz in a multiple-choice format. Educational Gerontology, 22(6): 575-589.)

• Hiemstra, E. (1980). Guiding the older adult learner. Education Resources Information Center.

• Lingren, H. (1991). Myths and facts about aging. University of Hawaii at Manoa Cooperative Extension Service.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging (2009). A profile of older Americans: 2009.

• Wilken, C. S. (2008). Myths and realities of aging. University of Florida IFAS Extension.