Older Adult Interview
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Description
For this assignment, I interviewed one of my neighbours, a 79-year-old female identified as J. F. I have known her for many years, and I meet her often while she walks her dog. She is still physically active, which explains her slight frame. She is of average height and slender build. She walks with a slight bend forward as she has had back problems which she often speaks about. J.F. has long gray hair, which she keeps tied up in a neat bun most of the time. J.F was a nurse for more than fifty years after getting graduating from a community college. She and her family lived in the same house she still occupies for many years. Her husband passed away five years ago, and her children are all grown and out of the home. She lives alone but gets someone to clean and cook thrice each week. She remains active, walking her dog and doing some chores around her house.
Changes
Loss of Eyesight
J.F explained that she has experienced several changes in her old age. One of these is a progressive loss of eyesight. Chalise (2019) explains that older people experience sensory changes as they age, one of them being progressive changes in eyesight. She used to drive herself around when she was younger, but she can no longer do so due to `poor vision. She also finds it difficult to read her favourite books, and she finds audiobooks very helpful. She can still knit but requires glasses for that and her everyday tasks.
Loss of Memory
J.F. also finds it difficult to recall details of events. Knencklen et al. (2017) explain that this is quite normal, writing, “normal aging is associated with numerous changes in cognitive capacities, including an overall decline in working memory performance” (Klencken 2017). She admitted that she often forgets what day it is and what she had planned to do. She writes down her daily activities, and her children call daily to help her keep track of days and activities she needs to do. She is afraid that one day she might not remember important things like her children’s names, but she does simple memory activities to keep her memory as active as possible.
Joint Pain
J.F has a lot of pain in her joints. Sometimes the pain gets so bad she can barely move around, but most of the time, she manages well on pain medication. She makes sure to eat all the food she was advised to and also takes her medicines on schedule to reduce the pain and allow her to function.
Biological Basis for the Changes
Loss of Eyesight
Chalise (2019) explains that weakening eyesight in old age is attributed to the thickening of the lens. This thickening means that older people need more light to see. An uneven thickening also causes glare problems which create anxiety and difficulty in concentrating. The older eye has a hard time adjusting to sudden changes in light, which may cause accidents.
Loss of Memory
Memory loss happens as a result of cognitive decline that occurs with old age. The hippocampus of the brain is concerned with the formation and retrieval of memories, and this region deteriorates with old age. Additionally, the decline in the proteins and hormones that stimulate neural growth also contributes to memory loss.
Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of joint pain in older adults. As one grows older, the cartilage that acts as a protective barrier between the joints and bones begins to break down. This wear and tear results in pain in joints found in the hips, hands and knees.
Functional Status
The biological changes that J.F has experienced with age have affected her ADLs and IADLs. She has had to cut down on a lot of daily activities such as cooking and cleaning due to joint pain and forgetfulness. She once left her stove on and dozed off in the living room, almost setting her kitchen on fire. Her memory loss has also forced her to give up management of her finances to her children to reduce serious errors and stress. She is happy that she can still walk her dog alone and keep her house tidy. She relies on help to cook and clean. J.F also appreciates the fact that she is functional enough to live alone when most of her peers have to live in assisted living homes. The National Institute on Aging reported that as of 2015, about 4.7 million older adults relied on home care, while 730,000 lived in assisted living facilities. A further 1.4 million seniors stayed in nursing homes (Kogan et al., 2016). J.F’s situation is, therefore, quite common for seniors.
Lessons
The interview has taught me a lot about ageing. I used to think of older adults as fragile beings who need help to perform the smallest tasks, but I realized how mistaken I was. One reason for my perception is that one of my grandparents had to live in a nursing home due to dementia and other chronic illnesses at 73. The interview with J.F has taught me that ageing takes on different paths for different people. I have also learned that senior adults enjoy keeping their old lifestyles for as long as possible until they need help. J.F takes a lot of pride in being able to care for herself and live alone. I have learned that ageing can be an enjoyable part of life despite its challenges.
References
Chalise, H. N. (2019). Aging: basic concept. Am J Biomed Sci & Res, 1(1), 8-10.
Klencklen, G., Lavenex, P. B., Brandner, C., & Lavenex, P. (2017). Working memory decline in normal aging: Memory load and representational demands affect performance. Learning and Motivation, 60, 10-22.
Kogan, A. C., Wilber, K., & Mosqueda, L. (2016). Person‐centered care for older adults with chronic conditions and functional impairment: A systematic literature review. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 64(1), e1-e7.
