2. Everyone ages!
Everyone ages differently
People with developmental
disabilities age the same as the
neurotypical population but:
a) they may not have the
capacity to tell you what is
changing in their body
a) they may have existing physical challenges
that add challenges to the aging process
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
3. Prepare for aging…
Document the current level of functioning,
either make a video or write down
Watch for and recognize changes that
require attention, especially for non-verbal
people
Have a family or agency plan for aging in
place or for alternative care –do this before
it’s needed
Have end of life planning and care in place
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
5. Vision Changes…Symptoms
Loss of acuity Rubbing eyes
Loss of
Squinting
accomodation
Decrease in light Shutting or
transmission covering one eye
Change is colour
perception Tilting or thrusting
Decrease in dark the head forward
perception Redness of the eye
Decreased visual
field or around the eyes
6. Changes in Function
Stumbling
Hesitancy on a step or a curb
Talking less, less involved with others
Holding pages or objects close to the eyes
Refusing to participate in activities she
previously enjoyed
Sitting closer to the tv
Generalized irritability, not previously part of
the person’s personality
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training sessions
7. Managing Vision Changes
Regular eye exams
Modify the environment ie use
high contrast colors, use
non-glare lighting, increase
lights, use night lights
o Organize belongings and keep
locations consistent
o Check care of eye glasses
Decide if activities need to be changed
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
8. Support Strategies for Vision
Modify activities by – engaging in daytime
activities, providing extra support for night
time activities, allow eyes time to adjust to
changing light, protect the good eye.
9. Hearing changes are caused
by and result in…
Loss of auditory never cells and fibers
Reduction of blood supply to the auditory
nerve
Thickening of ear drum
Increased ear wax
Loss of hearing for higher
pitches
Decreased tone discrimination
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
10. Possible Symptoms of Hearing
Loss
Can’t hear the tv
Speaking loudly
Inappropriate response to questions
Confusion in noisy situations
Isolating
Self injurious behaviours
Easily frustrated
Refusing to engage in previously enjoyed
activities or conversation
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
11. Support Strategies for Hearing
Loss
Regular hearing exams
Hearing aid if indicated
Speak slower and lower
Reduce background
noise
Face the person when speaking
Keep hearing aid batteries fresh and keep
the device clean
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
12. How Aging Impacts The Mouth
& Taste
Decreases taste buds
Gums recede, can cause pain
and infection
Thinning of dental enamel,
can cause tooth sensitivity to
heat and cold
Decreased saliva from drugs or
disease
Dental caries and abscesses
Gum disease
Sores, infection, tumors, cancers
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
13. Managing Mouth care…
Regular check ups
Floss, caregiver may have to help with this
Battery powered toothbrush, caregiver may have
to help
Ask dentist about prescription mouth washes to
prevent infections
Increase seasonings in food (except salt)
Watch for changing tastes and accommodate to
ensure nutrition and appetite
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
14. Nose/Smell
Decrease in nerve fibers
Drying mucous membranes in nose
Decreased sensitivity to odors
Can result in decreased appetite
15. How to help…
Use smoke detectors because the person may not smell
smoke on the stove or in the ashtray – prevent fires
Assist with awareness of body
odor, suggest baths or clothes
washing
Make sure clothing is regularly
changed
Checked for spoiled food or
treats that may not be in plain
sight
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
16. Changes in Skin & Touch
Loss of pigment
Decrease in sweat glands, subcutaneous fat,
blood supply, thickness of skin – all of these
change body temperature control
Decrease in skill cell production and hair
growth
Decreased sensation of touch and pain
Dryer skin may cause itching or inflamations
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
17. Protecting the Skin
Minimize use of harsh soaps and rinse well
Dry well
Moisturize the skin, including the legs,
buttocks, and back
Reposition the person frequently
Check skin for problems
Label hot and cold water clearly
Use sun protection in all weather
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
18. Aging of the GI System
Decreased total calorie needs every
decade of life
Risk of increased indigestion and ulcers
Gum disease from decreased saliva
Less of absorption of nutrients from
decreased smooth muscle tone
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
19. Managing GI changes…
Increase fluids, fiber
Increase physical activity according to
ability and interest
Observe for constipation
Encourage slower eating, more
frequent and smaller meals
Avoid empty calories
Increased gas may indicate GI problems
Consult a nutritionist or dietician who
specializes in geriatrics
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
20. Urinary and Reproductive
Decreased bladder capacity and muscle
tone may lead to frequency or
incontinence
Kidneys become less efficient
Enlargement of prostate
Relaxation of pelvic muscles
Effects of decreased hormones
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
21.
22. Managing the changes…
Observe for changes in voiding patterns and
incontinence or leakage, general discomfort
or anxiety
Observe for signs of infection – frequency,
urgency, accidents, discomfort, unusual odor,
bleeding, fever, agitation or aggression or
delusion
Notice odor and follow up
Regular check ups
Prompting for good hygiene
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
23. Heart and Blood Vessels
Decreased responsiveness
to stress, leading to difficult
breathing, fatigue
Heart rate decreases
Slow return to normal heart
rate after elevation of heart
rate
Build up of fat in arteries
Decreased elasticity in arteries
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
24. Protecting the Heart
Encourage moderate physical activity
Slow the pace of activities
Watch for signs of decreased endurance
ie dizziness, confusion, irritability
Change positions slowly to prevent
dizziness
Learn the signs of heart attacks for both
men and women – they are not the same
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. workshop series
25. Signs of a Heart Attack
Chest discomfort or pain that won’t go
away or returns
Discomfort in the upper body including
jaw, one or both arms, neck, back,
stomach
Shortness of breath
Nausea, lightheadedness, breaking out in
a cold sweat
26.
27.
28. Lungs/pulminary System
Lungs become less
elastic, less able to take
in oxygen
Breathing is less efficient,
tolerance for exercise
decreases
Decreased cough reflex,
a problem with colds or
lung conditions
Decrease in cilia lining of
the respiratory tract so more
likely to get infections
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
29. Protecting the Lungs
Avoid all forms of smoke
Encourage deep breathing, use breathing
exercises
Alleviate stress
Proper diet and fluids
Immunizations for flu and pneumonia
Watch for signs of infection ie coughing,
shortness of breath, colored sputum,
increased confusion, irritability
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
30. Nervous System
Loss of nerve cells
Decreased blood flow and decreased
oxygen to the brain
Less REM sleep (need four REMs per night
= 8 hours of sleep)
Altered pain response
31.
32. Behavior and Cognitive
changes…
Intelligence and ability to learn don’t
necessarily change
More difficulty processing and organizing new
information
Easier recalling of old information
Depression from illness and isolation and pain
or poor health
Dementia
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
33. Managing cognitive
changes…
Accept the changes and the decline in
skills – don’t push the person to be the
same as he was before
Add new activities that stimulate the
person but don’t create frustration
Adapt the environment for reduced tasks
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
34. Balance and protective
responses also change…
Sense of balance decreases due to loss of
hair cells in middle ear
Slow movement and less sensation lead ot
slower reaction time and decreased
protective responses
35. Musculo-skeletal Changes
Decrease in muscle mass, strength and tone
Decrease in joint mobility
Increased fragility of bones
Shortening of the spinal cord
Arthritis
All of these can lead to pain and reduced
willingness to move or engage in previously
enjoyed activities
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
36. Managing changes in the MS
System
Encourage independent movement and self
care but respect the person’s limitations,
support as needed
Promote regular activity that the person can
easily tolerate and enjoy
Improve safe guards to prevent falls
Promote use of mobility aids
Provide comfortable seating
Adapt clothing
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
37. Down Syndrome
Longer life span than in the past
More rapid aging of cells impacts all of
the body
Normal aging processes occur earlier
Poor immune system functioning
Early onset of Alzheimer’s Dementia
First shows in daily function rather than in
memory and progresses rapidly
38. Down Syndrome continued
Dry skin, fungal nail infections
Increased risk of thyroid dysfunction
Earlier onset of visual and hearing
problems
Increased incidence of sleep apnea
Joint problems
Increased risk of heart valve disease
39. Cerebral Palsy
Decrease in life expectancy related to
the severity of the condition
Abnormal muscle tone leads to joint pain,
worsening bowel and bladder function
Increased problem swallowing
Dental erosion
High incidence of constipation and bowel
obstruction
40. Cerebral Palsy continued
Breathingdifficulties increase
Speaking problems increase
More susceptible to pressure sores
41. Fragile X Syndrome
Increased rate of mitral valve prolapse
Early menopause
Epilepsy
Visual impairment
Earlier osteoporosis
42. Seizure Disorder
Change in frequency and duration
Cumulative effects of long term seizure
medications
Decreased bone density and increased
trauma and falls due to seizures may lead
to more fractures
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
43. Dementia – what is it?
Impaired brain function
Problems with memory and judgment
Often accompanied by confusion
Loss of ability to process and use
information
Increasing loss of basic ability to think and
understand
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
44. Early Signs of Dementia
Loss of appetite leading to loss of weight
Confusion and memory loss
Disoriented in space and time
Problems with routine tasks
Sleep changes
Loss of bladder control
Changes in personality and judgment
Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
45. What Else Causes These
Symptoms?
Medical problems ie high blood pressure,
brain tumor, infections
Medication side effects
Hearing and/or visual problems
Thyroid or diabetes problems
Depression
Vitamin deficiencies
46. Change
Aging client has aging parents or parents
who have died
Sibling may have taken over the parent’s
role
Sibling may resent the role or may live far
away
Sibling may be older or aging as well
Sibling may not be cooperative with the
current caregiving system
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
48. Disenfranchised Loss
Decline in abilities
Changes in caregivers – loss of long time
living situation and housemates
Not allowed to attend funeral of family or
peers
No recognition for early bonds with aging
or deceased parents
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
49. Accept that change brought about by
aging = loss for the person who is aging
and for those who love and care for him
Respect the loss of skills and ability and
adjust his life accordingly
Continue involving the person in
enjoyable and appropriate activities
Keep engaging with the person – she
needs companionship and love at all
stages of decline
Brenda McCreight Ph.D. training series
50. Other resources by Brenda McCreight Ph.D.
Please check slideshare.net for more
training materials and check Udemy.com
for online courses.
Brenda’s web sites
http://www.lifespancounselling.com
http://www.theadoptioncounselor.com
http://www.hazardousparenting.com