Question

Josh Adams is 76 years old. Josh has always been very active and busy during his life. He was a welder until he retired at age 60. Since then, he has kept busy fishing, hunting, and golfing. In the past 5 years, Josh has realized that his body has begun to age and he had been experiencing some new aches and pains. Josh decided to see his physician to get some answers about what he is experiencing.

1. Josh states that he is no longer able to complete long drives without stopping to use the restroom. He has a 2-hour drive one way out to the woods and is frustrated that he has to stop to use the restroom. What can you tell Josh he is experiencing?
2. Josh is also upset that he does not have the energy to walk the 2 miles to the pond to fish. What can you tell Josh about his energy as he increases with age?
3. Josh also discussed with the physician his inability to see objects clearly at night. What types of things can you explain to Josh about his vision with age?
4. During the visit, the physician notices that Josh cannot understand what the physician is saying. What issues can occur with older adults and their hearing?
5. What psychological changes, associated with aging, should you be prepared to discuss with Josh?
6. What health promotion and risk reduction measures can Josh incorporate to address the common age-related changes?

Answer 1

• Josh is unable to do long drives due to Arthritis. Joints get stiff and muscles are weaker as you age. So there will be difficulty in turn back to look , application of break safely and turning steering. Its an age related change.
• Our energy decreases as we get aged. Muscle mass is reduced and muscles become less flexible, as a result strenuous activities become tiring.
• As age advances lens become less transparent, allowing less light to pass through, leading to worsened vision at night. Lens become stiffer also as age advances.
• As age advances hearing loss occours due to changes in inner ear and auditory nerve. This condition is calles presbycusis.
• Psychological changes- one in four older adults experience anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and dementia. So tell josh that you may experience slight memory loss, and slight mood swings also.. But its normal at this age.. Think positive.
• Most of the injuries to older population is due to fall, this will leadto fracture of bones, so tell josh be careful and reduce strenuous activities.

1. Do minimal exercises like walking.
2. Find hobbies like gardening, pets etc..
3. Always keep a note including name , address, phone number and other valuable information with you, so that if you have any trouble in remembering , it will help.