When the Pages Start to Wear


As people age, their bodies go through tremendous changes. These transformations happen to everyone, yet there are diverse reactions to them. Some people pay accept those changes as they occur, and others may not feel so great about them and honestly…that’s okay.

From Cover to Cover: The Physical Narrative of Aging

Skin & Hair

 

 

Wrinkles form, especially around the eyes and mouth

 

As we age, skin produces less oil, so it becomes more dry or itchy

 

Skin becomes thinner, thus becoming easier to tear or bruise

 

There’s less elasticity leading to an increase in “sag” or “droop”

 

Hair loses its color due to less pigmentation, turning gray or white

 

Hair becomes thinner and there may be less hair

 

Hair can become more brittle and drier due to a decrease in oil

 

Muscle & Bones

 

Muscles and bones lose strength

 

There’s less muscle tone

 

When an injury occurs, they take longer to heal

 

Joints may feel stiff or sore, causing pain

 

As the spine weakens, posture may change causing a shorter height

 

Mobility

It’s common to walk slower as age progresses

 

It may be more difficult to stay steady, leading to falls

 

Joints are stiffer, there’s less flexibility, and getting up can be harder

 

Moving around can cause people to become tired quicker

 

Teeth & Mouth

Shorter or rougher teeth from years of chewing and grinding

 

Potentially losing teeth

 

Less saliva leading to a dry mouth

 

Brain & Memory

Thinking may slow down, needing longer to solve things

 

Forgetfulness may occur

 

Time to pay attention may shorten

 

Multitasking may become tricky

 

Energy & Sleep

People may often feel tired more quickly

 

There may be changes in their sleep schedule

 

They may need more rest or have a hard time fall asleep

 

 




Pages of Reflection: The Emotions Written by Time

·         Denial – ignoring the physical changes or downplaying them

·         Frustration or Anger – the feeling of betrayal by one’s own body

·         Fear – feeling scared over the progressing loss of independence, illness, or decline in mental state

·         Shame or Embarrassment – feeling guilty or embarrassed on how one look or their body functions

·         Grief – mourning the loss of their youth, strength, or independence

·         Adaptation and Acceptance – accepting and embracing the process of aging with realism and grace


 Bestsellers or Tall Tales?

Many of us want to keep our youthful glow and healthy skin for as long as we can. This is where products such as anti-aging creams come in. The market is flooded with them, which promises to reverse or slow down our changes, but how much of it is backed up by real science?

The following video is an example of an anti-aging cream that is being sold in the market.





When going over a product that claims to make you look younger, feel stronger, think clearer, or sleep better, how would you know if those claims are true?

Ask these questions about the product:

1.      Does it truly do what it says it do?

a.      Proof needs to be found. Do not just rely on personal stories alone. Find the scientific studies behind them. Was there research and what evidence is there that this works for most people?

2.      What are the side effects?

a.      No matter what a product does, side effects will most likely be present. Research side effects, warnings, medication interactions, and reviews from reliable sources. Reliable sources include medical websites or government health pages.

3.      Are people complaining about it?

a.      Check for complaints with:

                                                              i.      The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety alerts

                                                            ii.      The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

                                                          iii.      The Better Business Bureau (BBB)

There’s a difference between personal stories and research from scientific studies.

Personal stories, also known as testimonials, can claim a product may work but the proof may not always be present. There is the possibility of the person behind the testimonial to be paid by the company itself or fake to boost sales. There’s also the chance that what may work for one person may not work for someone else.

Research develops from scientific studies. Medical journals or published works reviewed by experts. These includes numbers and statistics, side effects, and may involve comparisons with other items. The company should be able to name the study, link it, or mention where it was published if a product has real research behind it.

Websites that you can do a quick check before buying:

  • ·        FDA.gov
  • ·        FTC.gov
  • ·        Consumer Reports
  • ·        NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

You can also ask a doctor or pharmacist before trying something new. This is especially if you are currently taking any medications.


 The Caregiver’s Handbook: Supporting Smart Product Decisions in Later Life

We all age. This may appear in different forms. Frustration, sadness, and concern maybe emotions that is experienced about the changes happening. Wrinkles, hair loss, loss of bodily function, memory problems, and other changes. There are products out there that promise to “fix” aging and some of these products may be helpful, but there are also others that do not work as well as they claim to be. There are some that may even be harmful.

This is where us nurses play an important role.

We are here to listen without judging…it is okay to express how you are feeling, whether you are feeling embarrassed, scared, or calm about it all. We are not here to sell anything.

Nurses are here to support your health, your well-being, and your independence. It’s okay to feel like you need a product to feel better and you are not the only one. It’s okay to want to provide self-care on yourself, but I also encourage you to pause and ask yourself if this product you are buying truly able to help you or if you are getting it because you feel like you must.

Testimonials may be present, making many claims and wonderful stories from satisfied customers. At the same time, that does not always mean the product works for everyone or that it has been properly studied. I strongly encourage you to look for:

  • ·         Real research or studies
  • ·         Clear list or information on side effects or risks
  • ·         Guidance from your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse

I want you all to know this one thing: Aging is not a typo in a story --- it’s a part of the plot. Each line, each chapter becomes a part of the creation, the depth, to who you are. You’re not a right draft that requires to be fixed. You are a valuable volume, just as you are.

With care,

Samira Pierre, RN





References


Harding, M. M., Kwong, J., Roberts, D., Hagler, D., & Reinisch, C. (2019). Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems (11th ed.). Mosby.

Schmidt, L. I., Gerhardy, T. H., Carleton-Schweitzer, L., Wahl, H.-W., & Jekel, K. (2023a). “if this is what it means to be old…”: A mixed methods study on the effects of age simulation on views on aging and perceptions of age-related impairments. European Journal of Ageing, 20(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-023-00793-8

Segel-Karpas, D., Shrira, A., Cohn-Schwartz, E., & Bodner, E. (2022). Daily fluctuations in subjective age and depressive symptoms: The roles of attitudes to ageing and chronological age. European Journal of Ageing, 19(3), 741–751. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00681-z

Touhy, T. A., & Jett, K. (2022). Toward healthy aging: Human needs and nursing response (11th ed.). Elsevier. 

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