Physiology of Aging

Introduction to Ageism Discussion:

• Have you ever been judged by someone because of their age?

• Ageism Survey

• Read & Discuss: 'Ageism' widespread article

Background:

• Ageism can be defined as making unfair judgments or assumptions about individuals based simply on their ages. For example, some adults assume that youth lack the maturity to complete complex tasks, while some young people automatically assume that all senior citizens are bad drivers.

• The three most common forms of age discrimination faced by seniors are:

  1. Being ignored or treated as though they are invisible (41 percent)

  2. Being treated like they have nothing to contribute (38 percent)

  3. Assuming that seniors are incompetent (27 percent)

Ageism Scenarios:

• Read: Ageism Scenarios

• Discuss: How are the three most common forms of age discrimination seen in the scenarios?
  Journal: As a group or individually: write both a positive response and a negative response to the current scenario.

• Share-Out.

Teenager Mindmap:

• In small groups, create a mindmap illustrating what comes to mind when you think "teenager".

Discuss:

• What do you notice about attitudes toward people your age?

• In what types of situations do you feel judged?

• Does the way people view you affect how you feel about yourself?

• How has the respect of adults helped you achieve your goals?

• Have you ever experienced or known anyone who has experienced age discrimination. E.g., trying to participate in sports activities, applying for jobs, interactions at social events, etc?

Elderly Mindmap:

• In small groups, create a mindmap illustrating what comes to mind when you think "elderly".

Discuss:

• How do you see older adults that you are close to, either relatives or close family friends?

• Ask students if the adjectives up on the board are representative of these individuals.

• What is your reaction to this word web?

• Do you fit into any of the descriptions on the board?

Stereotyping Old & Young

• Watch & Discuss: “I’m a Teenager, So I Must Be Stereotyped”

• Watch & Discuss: “Stereotypes of the Elderly”

  • Discuss: How BOTH are examples of ageism.

• Watch: "What would you do? The elderly harassed by youth”

  • Discuss: What do you think the bystanders? What would you have done?

• Brainstorm: What people defy these stereotypes? How are these stereotypes are not true?

Aging Interview (Hmk):

• In the following project you will demonstrate your interview skills and reflect on aging. See the details of this project here. Due in 3 weeks. This is the only "homework" you will be assigned in this class.

This unit was adapted from Examining Ageism

Opening:

• Bone Histology and Bone Remodeling.

  • Osteoporosis

• Muscle Histology & Fiber types, and Bone Remodeling.

Musculoskeletal Disease:

• Research and present on a disease or disorder of the musculoskeletal system. Example diseases: Muscle Fatigue, Sarcopenia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Lumbar stenosis, Gout, Pseudogout (CPPD), Paget Disease, Giant Cell (Temporal) Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Dermatomyositis.

Musculoskeletal Adaptation:

• Create a graphic organizer that demonstrates understanding of the relationship between skeletal muscle, bones, aging and training.

Opening:

• Aging Demographics

Aging Gracefully:

• Create a brochure that emphasizes normal aging and how to achieve a healthy lifestyle for senior citizens.

Osteoporosis:

• Create an infographic on osteoporosis for senior citizens.

Opening:

• Review the steps in a healthy heart beat. Describe the flow of blood through the heart, to the lungs, and back to the heart to the body. Name all the valves and major vessels.

Cardiac Output:

• Illustrate a diagram that demonstrates the relationship between stroke volume, heart rate and cardiac output.

Cardiovascular Disease:

• Research a disease of the cardiovascular system that is related to aging. Create a poster illustrating the pathophysiology (what causes it and how) of the disease. Note who it affects and how it is managed/treated.

Pulmonary Disease:

• Research a disease of the pulmonary system that is related to aging. Create a poster illustrating the pathophysiology (what causes it and how) of the disease. Note who it affects and how it is managed/treated.

Cardiovascular Health:

• Develop a cardiovascular program for a senior citizen.

Nervous System Disease:

• Research and create a presentation of an age-related disease of the nervous system. Potential diseases include: Stroke, Parkinson's disease, Dementia, Alzheimer disease, etc.

Brain Changes:

• Examine and describe the major parts of the brain including the changes that occur in aging process.

Alzheimer Disease:

• Create a brochure or pamphlet on Alzheimer diseases for senior citizens.

Dietary Plan:

• Construct a dietary plan for a senior citizen that addresses dietary needs as well as physical needs.

Glucose Levels:

• Prepare a graphic illustrating glucose levels, insulin levels, and glycogen levels over the period of 4 hours. Starting before a meal (faster) and continue until 3 hours after a meal. Note the function of each hormone and how it works.

Type II Diabetes:

• Create a brochure that explains prevention and care of Type 2 Diabetes.

Vitamins and Minerals:

• Research a vitamin, create a graphic explaining what this vitamins does, and what diseases or disorders can be witnessed in a patient with a deficiency.

Urinary System Diseases:

• Research and diagram the structural and functional age-related changes of the urinary system.

Urinary System Diseases:

• Research and explain an age-related disorders of the urinary system. For example: incontinence, retention, urinary track infection, end-stage renal insufficiency, prostatic hyperplasia (although the prostate is part of the reproductive system it affect the bladder), sexually transmitted diseases (although these can affect any age, STIs have more than doubled in the past ten years among U.S. adults age 65 years and older).

Drug Metabolism:

• Read and Discuss: Age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: basic principles and practical applications.

Opening:

• What is aging: programmed senescence or stochastic accumulation of damage?

• Optional Reading: Dissecting Aging and Senescence—Current Concepts and Open Lessons.

Telomeres:

• Research the "Telomere Theory of Aging". Create an infographic explaining what telomeres are and how they work. How do cells change over time? What is senescence?

Damage Theory:

• Research "Free Radical Theory of Aging (FRTA)" otherwise known as the "Damage Theory of Aging". Create an infographic, what causes aging in this theory? Can this damage be mitigated?

Aging Clock:

• Research the "Neuroendocrine (Aging Clock) Theory of Aging". Create an infographic explaining the proposed mechanism of this aging theory. What contributes to aging in this theory?

Compare and Contrast:

• Discuss as a class the three theories of aging researched in this class. What theory do you favor? Why? Why not?

Extension:

• History of immortal cells. Talk about Henrietta Lacks. Perform basic cell culture.

Learning Objectives:

• I can research and report on promising slowly-aging animals that may elucidate the human aging process.
• I can research and report on current and near future medical technology.

Opening:

• Introduction to basic research. Sometimes odds plants and animals can give us insight into how we work.

Weird Animals:

• Research an animal that lives a really long time: Jellyfish, clams, naked mole rats, lobsters, sea urchins, giant tortoise, Greenland shark, or Bowhead whale, etc, etc. Create a presentation about this long-lived animal. Tell us about this animal's lifestyle: where it lives, what it eats, who eat it, how it reproduces, how long it lives, and anything else unique about it. Do scientists have any idea WHY it lives so long?

Opening:

• How can technology ease the aging process?

• Brainstorm: What technologies do we currently use to ease aging easier or diseases?

• Watch: Economist_Futurehealthcare_v05_04_alsu

Future of Healthcare Technology:

• Research some form of emerging or future healthcare technology: artificial intelligence, VR/AR, 3D-printing, robotics or nanotechnology, etc. Create a presentation and teach the class about this technology. What is it? How does it work? How can it help? What are the challenges? What are the promises?