Title: Student Introduction to Aging
1Student Introduction to Aging
- Created by the UW-Milwaukee Center on Age and
Community and the Milwaukee Aging Consortium.
Made possible by a grant from the Faye McBeath
Foundation.
2Community Learning in Aging Orientation
- Benefits of working with older adults
- What to expect when working with older adults
- Making the most of your experiential learning
opportunity
3Benefits of Working with Older Adults
- Experience
- Exposure to the work environment
- Help people
- Learning opportunity
- Career development
- Fun and rewarding experience
4What Do You Call Older People?
- Elder/Elderly
- Mature American
- Senior Citizen
- Senior
- Golden-Ager
- OLDER ADULT is the Preferred Term
5Why Work with Older Adults?
- More people are living longer than ever
- Older people are not getting the help they need
or deserve - Opportunity to do pioneering work
- New jobs are available every day
- Very rewarding experience
6Quotes About Working with Older Adults
- Give service a chance. If you think I dont
have the time, just try it. If I hadnt been
involved in service learning, Im not so sure Id
be as involved in the community as I am now. It
was my first step. - Older adults are JUST like us. They were young
too and did all the same dirty things we do. - The key to the program was the length of time
students came. By coming just a few hours a week
for a couple of months, a relationship was able
to built, instead of just volunteering coming
and going quickly.
7Successful Aging
- Physical and biological
- Psychological
- Social
8Physical and Biological Aspects of Aging
- The rate of physical aging varies widely
- Physical aging is slow, gradual, life-long, and
inevitable - Most living things have life cycles of patterned
biological changes - Disabilities, sensory loss, and chronic diseases
increase with age but dont always happen
9Physical and Biological Aspects of Aging
- Muscle, skin, and bone
- Taste
- Smell
- Sight
- Sound
10Psychological Aspects of Aging
- Psychological well-being is linked to physical
and social health - Most older adults are in good mental health
- Significant memory loss is not normal
- Wisdom is not automatic
- Some experience dementia and/or Alzheimers
Disease
11Psychological Aspects of aging
- Deficits can be prevented and reversed through
- Positive human interactions
- Remaining active and engaged
- Regular exercise
12The Effects of Alzheimers and Dementia
- Apraxia
-
- Abstract thought
- Attention
- Judgment
- Hearing
- Memory
- Language
- Perception
13Communicating with Someone who has Dementia
- Approach people calmly, cheerfully, and with
respect - Remember the KISS method Keep it short and
simple - Slow down verbal communication
- Make eye contact
- Practice, practice, practice
14Social Aspects of Aging
- People bring with them their unique historical
and cultural experiences as they age - Older people are more diverse than any other
group - Most older adults are socially engaged
- The roles, social status, and norms of age groups
vary among cultures
15Tips for Positive Interactions with Older Adults
- Get involved dont just observe
- Approach people
- Treat people with respect
- Find the best time of day to do activities
- Know who and when to ask for help
16Making the Most of Your Experience Here
- Think about your role and what you want to
accomplish - Be professional
- Communicate
17Think About Your Role Here
18Be Professional
- Dress appropriately
- Be on time
- Follow-through on your commitments
- Remember who youre representing
- Realize the potential costs of not being
professional
19Keep the Lines of Communication Open
- Professors
- Supervisors
- Staff
- Co-workers
- Older adults
- Yourself
20Gaining additional experience
- Volunteering
- Service learning
- Internships
- Working
- Overview of other agencies and businesses that
serve older adults
21Forms and Templates
- Service learning agreement
- Time tracking sheet
- Journal page template
- Site evaluation form
- Student evaluation form (used by supervisors)
- HIPAA regulations
22Special thanks to
- Family House, Inc.
- The Faye McBeath Foundation
- Indian Council of the Elderly
- Luther Manor
- Milwaukee Aging Consortium
- Milwaukee Area College Internship Consortium
- St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care
- UWM Center on Age Community and Service
Learning Institute - Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center