Families grow older

1. Families grow older Chapter 19

2. Journal • Read the life sketch on p. 429 • On your own paper, answer these questions: • Does Vi’s day sound like a normal day for a retired person? Why do you think Vi keeps herself so busy? • How does this couple’s community involvement help them continue growing as persons? • What is the benefit of Vi and Walter taking a bus versus driving to the Ozarks? Besides traveling by bus or train, what other changes in normal patterns of behavior are common for elderly people?

3. Families Grow Older • As families grow older their lives continue to change • The family network expands as parents become grandparents • Members must begin to accept death as a reality of life • Preparation for death can help family and friends handle their grief and adjust to the loss

4. The Aging Process Fill out Chapter 19 Activity A

5. Middlescence • Between the ages of 35-40, most adults begin to notice the first physical signs of aging • Middlescence- the middle aged years between the ages of 40-65 • Many adults look back through this time and question their purposes and goals for living

6. Change in Middlescence • Changes: • Parental relationships change • Working adults reach the peaks of their careers • Reminders that time is passing • Children get married • Parents have more time for their relationship and interests • Loss of some self care abilities • Self esteem may drop • Evaluate life goals • Establish closer relationships with adult children

7. Midlife Crisis • Some adults have problems dealing with these changes • Midlife crisis is brought on by the stress of the changes • Some adults try to regain their youthfulness • Some adults blame others for their loss of youthfulness • Most adults are able to walk through the questioning without a midlife crisis

8. Grandparenting • Most families look forward to welcoming new babies to the extended family • Grandparents often times help the new parents with changes that take place • Grandparents can be important in the lives of children • Grandparents give focused attention to the children • Sometimes grandparents provide childcare • Grandparents help keep family traditions alive • Sometimes grandparents provide financial assistance

9. Benefits of Grandparenting • Most grandparents enjoy the role • The relationship can be rewarding • This relationship helps the grandparent feel needed • Grandparenting also provides a feeling of satisfaction

10. Retirement • Retirement- the ending of paid employment • Most people cant wait to retire, but as the time nears the feelings sometimes change • To men, the loss of a job often equals a loss of part of their identity • Changes in life: • Development of a hobby or interest • Financial changes • Doing things together often make the social adjustment easier

11. Planning an Active Retirement • Volunteering • Learning New Skills • Returning to Work • Positive Attitude • Diet and Exercise

12. Planning for Financial Needs • Paychecks stop at retirement, but living costs continue • Federal programs: • Social security • Medicare • Pensions- funds paid through the former employer • Retirement Accounts

13. Grandparenting Complete Chapter 19, Activity B

14. Physical Health • The average lifespan in the United States for 2010 was 78.5 • Many physical changes take place during the elderly years. • Increased Illness • Loss of strength • Loss of vision and hearing • Loss of mental abilities • For most people physical changes linked to aging don’t increase until after age 75

15. Physical • Physical Changes: • Bones and muscles weaken • Shrink in height • Swollen joints • High blood pressure • Heart attacks • Strokes • Alzheimer’s Disease • Cancer

16. Sensory Problems • Changes in hearing • Changes in eyesight • Glaucoma • Decreased sense of taste • Loneliness • Poor teeth

17. Dealing with the Effects of Aging • Regular physical checkups • Proper diet • Regular exercise • Plenty of rest

18. Group Activity Cooperative Learning Activity- A Skit on Aging

19. Community Resources • Agencies on Aging: • Groups that help elderly overcome problems • They plan, fund, and coordinate senior citizen services • Examples of services: transportation, home-care workers, counseling, recreation, and information

20. Changes in Social Life • Social life declines as physical health declines • Older people may not be able to get around as often • Family visits and extra attention are important during these years • Most elderly people like to continue living in their own home as long as possible

21. Protecting the Rights of the Elderly • The elderly may open their door to anyone who knocks because of this loneliness • Consumer Fraud: • Door to door sales persons may exploit the elderly • Finances are usually limited for the elderly • Some salespersons sound convincing • Encourage elderly to talk with family before making a commitment or signing a contract • Cases of fraud should be reported to the police

22. Elder Abuse • Some people will take advantage of the elderly • Elder Abuse: intentionally or knowingly causing the elder person to suffer physical harm or injury, unreasonable confinement, sexual abuse, or a lack of services or medical treatment to maintain health • Material abuse: the misuse of the elder person’s property or financial resources; also includes denying the person’s right to personal funds and interfering in financial decisions • Neglect: cases in which the caregiver fails to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical, or dental care • These offenses should be reported to a local agency on aging

23. Loss of Independence • People become more dependent as they age • Sometimes families move a grandparent into their own home • Consider these things when making this decision: • How is your home designed • Will it meet elderly needs • Is there extra space available • Cost, time, and energy needed to provide care

24. Community Resources for Providing Care • Adult Day Care: provide daytime group activities; for those elderly that are impaired physically or mentally • Community Based Day Care: program of activities for those that are somewhat independent • Home health care: nurses or aides go to the elderly person’s home to provide assistance with health care • Services can include helping them take medicine, monitor blood pressure, and change dressings on healing wounds • Nursing homes and Assisted Living Homes

25. Death and Dying • Hospice care: designed to help a dying person live the final days of their life • Programs also support families as the face the death of a loved one • Coping with Grief: • Feelings of emptiness and numbness • Feelings of anxious, fearful, and abandoned by the loved one; sometimes anger • Brief periods of depression are normal after a loss • People who have mourned the loss of a loved one will gradually accept the loss and adjust to living without the person

26. Review • Complete p. 445 1-5 • Complete p. 446 Review 1-12; thinking critically #2