Middle Age

6 categories of age, 4-5 year intervals

How can middle age be broken down?

35 to 65

Age range for middle adult:

Middle adulthood. Increased risk for chronic disease.

When do damaging effects start to make a difference?

Sandwhich generation

Big in this age group: taking care of parents and kids

Subcutaneous fat in arms

Where do middle adults see fat decrease?

In abdomen. Women in menopause start to retain fat here more

Where do middle adults see fat increase?

Degenerative joint disease

Obesity increases the risk for this mobility concern:

1000mg daily, with vitamin D. After menopause, 1500mg

Calcium suppliment recommendation:

Estrogen decreases (estrogen increases calcium absorption)

Why do we need more calcium post menopause?

Changes in bone density

Why are calcium supplements recommended in middle adulthood?

12 months without a period

Indication of menopause:

Period menopause

Period before menopause, before 12 months of not having a period.

Weakened pelvic floor muscles.

Why are post-menopausal women at increase for urinary incontinence?

Stress incontinence, especially after having multiple kids

Common type on incontinence in post-menopausal women:

Osteoporosis

Deterioration of bone tissue:

Osteopenia

First step of osteoporosis

Kyphosis

enhances upper curvature of spine, result of osteopenia or poor posture

Unintentional injury

Leading cause of death in middle adults (up until 45)

Cancer

Second leading cause of death in middle adults (up until 45)

Cancer

Leading cause of death between ages 45-65

Cardiovascular disease

Second most common cause of death between ages 45-65

Middle age

Age group with highest proportion of cigarette smokers:

Screening

Health promotion strategy to reduce overall cancer death rate (secondary)

1. Education

2. BP clinics

Health promotion strategies to reduce proportion of adults with hypertension (primary) [2]

Increase proportion of adults who engage in aerobic physical activity on a regular (preferably daily) basis

Health promotion strategy to reduce proportion of adults who are obese

Know standards. Is better now with regulations and paperwork

Health promotion strategy to reduce deaths from work-related injuries in all industries

1. Bolstering social determinants of health

2. Addressing health inequities

3. Teaching

4. Counselling

5. Other nursing interventions

How can risk factors be changed? [5]

1. Acceptance of aging

2. Needing to exercise

3. Weight control

4. Decrease/stopping cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption

5. Decreasing/managing chronic conditions

Key messages for health promotion in this age group: [5]

Working, more responsibility, comes with a desk job

Why do middle adults lead a more sedentary lifstyle?

Sitting disease

When people are sitting at a desk and not realizing they’re doing damage.

Can have an impact on cholesterol

Impacts of a high sodium diet:

Treated by diet and exercise before medications

How is high cholesterol treated?

150 minutes per week

Exercise recommendations for middle adult

1. Stressors at work

2. Caffeine

3. Menopause

Things that can have an effect on sleep in this age [3]

Important to initiate exercise program that is safe and can keep them well and least amount of potential for injury

Considerations for exercise in this age group

Capacity to perform intellectually remains constant, reflexes and reaction time may decrease as age increases.

Changes in cognition at this age:

Middle adults are at the most complex functioning level (formal operations). Tey are able to think critically and thoughts are flexible

When do individuals “peak” in regards to their functional level? (Piaget)

Presbyopia

decline in being able to see up close. You’ll see this condition in this age group. Loss of elasticity, normal physiological sign of aging

Glaucoma

Eye condition that is not really age related, condition will often see in this age group. Increased IOP, can lead to headaches. Genetics. Had when younger and diabetic

Cataracts

•cloudy film on top of the eye. Injuy when younger increases risk

Macular degeneration

•not able to see a sharp

Presbycusis

Age-related hearing loss

Generativity vs. Stagnation. A sense of productivity and creativity by reaching established goals.

Erikson’s stage for this age group:

1. Stage 5: family with children aged 13-20

2. Stage 6: family launching young adults, from first leaving until last

3. Stage 7: Families from empty nest to retirement

Three stages of family in middle age

Empty nest syndrome

When kids leave/move out. Feeling lonely, losing purpose.

Work

Big stressor in middle-age that can get overlooked