middle adulthood Flashcards
middle adulthood
36-64
time of dynamic change
physiological decline begins, but relatively healthy
early lifestyle choices begin to yield cost or benefit
stage of economic productivity and family responsibility for growing children and aging parents
sandwich generation
stage of major economic productivity and family responsibility for growing children and aging parents
physiologic changes - starts at 45
hair and skin, weight, presbyopia (near vision), menopause and climacteric
onset of chronic conditions
cancer and heart disease
generativity vs stagnation
primary task of middle age is generativity or establishing or guiding the next generation
generativity
sense of productivity and creativity by reaching goals
encompasses desire to care for others
stagnation
occurs when a person becomes self-absorbed, fails to care for others
self perception-self concept pattern
time of critical review
midlife crisis
non-acceptable results
recognize in midlife crisis
physical agility is declining
inevitability of one’s own death
mistakes made in the past
less time to make changes
result is acceptance
middle adult challenges
divorce of offspring
young adults moving back home
raising grandchildren
life events with potential disruptive effects
two or more job families
divorce
caring for aging parents
death of spouse
unintended pregnancies
leading causes of death
cancer, unintentional injuries, heart disease
malignant neoplasms
second leading cause of death
heart disease
leading cause of death over age 44
causes of death
many diseases preventable through earlier healthier lifestyle and routine primary care
chronic conditions
heart disease
arthritis
back and spine impairments
COPD
diabetes mellitus
mental health conditions
dental disease
sexuality-reproductive changes
pregnancy = many are waiting until later in life to have children, high rate of unintended pregnancies
STIs are hidden risk group
factors influencing sexuality
job stress, diminished health of one or both partners, effects of some prescription medications
health concerns: obesity
leading causes of death
leading causes of death with obesity
diabetes, CVD, HTN
health promotion: weight management
calorie reduction
increase physical activity
normalize weight
reduce risk for chronic disease
calorie reduction
low cholesterol, low saturated diet
low sodium diet
health promotion exercise benefits
prevent and manage chronic illness
significant increase in life expectancy and quality of life
recommendations
30 mins, 5 or more days a week = 150 mins
continuous, rhythmic exercise = walking, jogging, swimming and bicycling
health concern: oral health
gingivitis, periodontitis, teach dental hygiene and dental exams
health promotion: sleep
less time in deep sleep compared to young adults
less sleep overall compared to young adults
insomnia common
healthful guidelines
keep regular sleep schedule
quality sleep
many need occasional napping
barriers to change
lack of materials
lack of social support
lack of motivation
lack of knowledge
insufficient skills to change habits
undefined goals
middle adults and nursing practice
through identification of risk factors, health promotion, and other nursing interventions, nurses help middle adults improve their quality of life
nursing practices focus on the personal habits and lifestyles of middle aged adults to improve their biological, spiritual, and psychosocial development
