Self-Study Training Module 2
Sponsored by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Rural Health and Safety
Education Grant: 2010-2012: (Grant # 2010-46100-21841); 2012-2013: (Grant # 2012-4610020145 )
DEVELOPED BY:
Sarah L. Francis PhD, MHS, RD
Assistant Professor/State Nutrition Extension and Outreach Specialist
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Jennifer Margrett, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Warren D. Franke, PhD
Professor
Director, The Exercise Clinic at ISU
Department of Kinesiology
Iowa State University
Ames, 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
• Dependent on others
• Forgetful
• Grouchy
• Senile
• Sick
• Poor health
• Unknowing
• Lonely
• 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
MYTH
• Number of close friends throughout a person’s life
stays the same
• Reported feelings of loneliness less often than young
adults
MYTH or REALITY?
Most older adults are in poor health
MYTH
• 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 or REALITY?
Older adults tend to have a slower reaction
time than those who are younger.
REALITY
• As we age, the speed of our
reflexes and movements decrease
MYTH or REALITY?
Older adults are less productive than
younger workers
MYTH
• Older adults are:
o
o
o
o
Highly motivated
Flexible with work schedules
Reliable & have low rates of absenteeism
Excellent mentors for younger workers
MYTH or REALITY?
Most older adults have no interest in or
capacity for intimate relations
MYTH
• Good health, not age, is the key to intimate
relationships throughout life
MYTH or REALITY?
Most older adults end up in nursing
homes
MYTH
• Only about 5% of older adults live in a
nursing home
• 3 out of 4 Americans will never reside in a
nursing home
MYTH or REALITY?
All five senses tend to decline with aging
REALITY
• By late adulthood, vision and hearing are almost
always impaired.
o 9 out of 10 older adults need glasses
o 1 out of 3 would benefit from a hearing aid
MYTH or REALITY?
Physical strength tends to decline in old
age
REALITY
• Physical strength declines
• The lung vital capacity declines
Exercise can counteract and limit the amount of
loss in strength
MYTH or REALITY?
The majority of older adults feel
miserable much of the time
MYTH
• The majority report high levels of life
satisfaction
MYTH or REALITY?
In general, most older adults are pretty
much alike
MYTH
• Older adults are more diverse than younger adults
in:
o Life-style
o Income
o Personality
MYTH or REALITY?
The majority of older adults have incomes
below the poverty level
MYTH
• 1 in 10 older adults live in poverty
• The poverty rate among older adults age 65+
is lower than those under 65 years
MYTH or REALITY?
The majority of older adults are working or
would like to have some kind of work to
do
REALITY
• 1 out of 3 individuals over the age of 75 are
involved in volunteer activities
• Most older adults say they are seldom bored
MYTH or REALITY?
Older adults are stubborn, set in their
ways and don’t like to try new things.
MYTH
• Over 80% of older consumers are receptive
to new products and services
MYTH or REALITY?
Older adults avoid new technologies
MYTH
• 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 or REALITY?
Playing bingo and cards are the number
one and two recreational activities for
seniors
MYTH
• 27% of older adults attend movies, sports
events, clubs, and group events
MYTH or REALITY?
Older adults learn new things at a slower
speed than younger generations
REALITY
• Thinking processes slow with age
• Limited eye sight and hearing loss can decrease the
amount of “information” that travels to the brain.
MYTH or REALITY?
When you turn 65, you become a senior
citizen
MYTH
• The least important way individuals age is
by chronological age
MYTH or REALITY?
Physical handicaps are the primary factors
limiting the activities of older adults
MYTH
• 75% say they are healthy enough to carry
out their normal daily activities
independently
MYTH or REALITY?
Older generations tend to be more
religious than younger generations
REALITY
• 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
MYTH or REALITY?
Pain is a natural part of the aging process
MYTH
“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 or REALITY?
The majority of older adults say they feel
irritated or angry most of the time
MYTH
• Older adults are no more angry or happy
than younger adults
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 lifesatisfaction 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): 575589.)
•
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.